MSc Dietetics (pre-registration) (February Start)
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- February 2026
Course Overview
Dietitians are the only registered health professional in the UK that can assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems. Dietitians use the most up-to-date public health guidance and scientific research on the impact of nutrition on health and disease, translating this into easy practical guidance for people to implement to reach their nutritional goals.
Dietetics is a career suited to good communicators. When treating people, it’s important to understand their lifestyle and health behaviours in order to provide the best personalised holistic nutritional advice.
Through this dynamic course, you'll build a sound knowledge of the nutritional and clinical sciences which underpin health and disease. You'll develop your communication skills and learn behaviour change techniques to provide holistic patient-centered care.
Here at UEA, you'll join a vibrant community of enthusiastic lecturers and practice educators. You’ll also have access to our excellent learning facilities. On this MSc Dietetics degree, you'll benefit from direct patient contact and gain experience of dietetic practice with over 1000 placements hours embedded within the course.
The dietetic profession is extremely rewarding and varied, offering career opportunities in the NHS, private clinics, public health, the food industry, sports nutrition, and the media.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
You'll have the opportunity to organise your own seven practice-based learning placement. This could take place in the UK, but you may also have the option to undertake this placement abroad, thereby broadening your understanding of occupational therapy within a different country and culture. However, overseas travel can put additional demands on students, so we ask to be consulted on any such plans and may advise against overseas travel in some circumstances.
Accreditations
This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Dietetic Association (BDA).
Study and Modules
Structure
This is a two-year full-time programme. Practice-based learning placements are integrated throughout the programme, enabling you to undertake supervised practice-based learning across the East Anglia region.
In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the core principles of dietetic theory and how to apply them in practice. You'll develop the skills you need to work in a range of clinical settings, with individuals, groups and communities. You’ll learn about the key elements of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry as they relate to nutrition and dietetic practice. You’ll also engage with the research evidence for your professional practice. In your first year you'll complete one placement. This is split into a Peer Enhanced E-Placement (PEEP) and an NHS practice placement.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Qualified dietitians need to apply knowledge to clinical practice (working with patients). This is mirrored through the enquiry-based learning (EBL) process. You'll undertake an EBL learning activity each week in small groups to cross-examine a case study. The group may be made up of just dietetic students or include occupational therapy and physiotherapy students to aid inter-disciplinary working and decision making. You'll clarify what you need to learn as a group to resolve the issue and present your findings each week.
This is a full time accelerated Master’s degree. The taught elements of the full-time programme will make up 3 – 4 days a week. Your teaching will be split between campus sessions, online sessions and set independent learning activities, with the rest of your working week dedicated to essential self-directed study. Master’s-level learning demands an active drive to research and embed theory effectively into your own practice, so that you’re able to provide strong evidence-based justifications for your proposed interventions and actions.
Assessment
Assessment methods will be a combination of practical skill oral examinations, written essays, reflective accounts, and case-management presentations. We’ll be assessing your communication skills as well as your ability to synthesise and articulate knowledge at Master’s level. The accelerated nature of this programme means that you’ll also need to demonstrate effective time management. Your assignments will be marked against the Senate Scale for Master’s-level work, but your practice placements will be marked at undergraduate level as pass/fail, with feedback offered on performance.
Structure
In your second year you’ll learn how to consolidate the core themes of dietetic theory, linking to practice and you'll begin to see yourself as a potential leader, capable of managing change. You’ll continue to develop Master’s-level academic skills, as well as teamwork skills and professional communication abilities. You'll have built the key skills, values and behaviours introduced in required to qualify as dietitian and apply to the HCPC register. In your second year you'll undertake three placements. One of your year two placements may be in a non-traditional environment outside the NHS setting.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Qualified dietitians must be able to apply their knowledge to clinical practice. This approach is reflected in the enquiry-based learning (EBL) process. Each week, you’ll participate in an EBL activity in small groups to analyse a case study. These groups may consist solely of dietetic students or include students from occupational therapy and physiotherapy, promoting inter-disciplinary collaboration and decision-making. Together, you’ll determine the necessary information to address the case and present your findings weekly.
This accelerated Master's degree is full-time, with taught elements comprising 3-4 days per week. Your learning experience will include on-campus sessions, online modules, and designated independent study activities. The remainder of your week will be devoted to essential self-directed study. Master's-level education emphasises active research and effective integration of theory into practice, ensuring you can provide robust, evidence-based justifications for your interventions and decisions.
Assessment
Assessment methods will include practical skill demonstrations, oral examinations, written essays, reflective accounts, poster presentations, research projects, and case-management presentations. These assessments will evaluate not only your communication skills but also your ability to synthesise and articulate knowledge at Master’s level. Given the accelerated pace of the programme, effective time-management will be crucial.
Assignments will be graded against the Senate Scale for Master’s-level work, ensuring rigorous evaluation of your academic achievements. Practice placements, however, will be assessed on a pass/fail basis at the undergraduate level, with detailed feedback provided on your performance.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in February each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Should be in a subject with sufficient relevant human physiology and biochemistry.
Suitable degrees include but not limited to: biomedical sciences, human nutrition, nutritional science, biochemistry, human biology, physiology, health sciences; or from a nutrition background: food science, applied human nutrition, clinical pathology, pharmacology, therapeutic dietetics.
- Additional Entry Requirements
This is a pre-registration course. If you have studied an Undergraduate degree in Dietetics, this course is not suitable and you may wish to consider our other professional health courses delivered at Degree and Master’s level.
You must have graduated from your degree within the last 10 years of the start date of the MSc Dietetics course.
Applicants may also be considered outside this timeframe if they have highly relevant work experience. Highly relevant experience includes but is not limited to those who have previous or current employment as a dietetic assistant, registered nutritionist, Clinical Scientist, Biomedical Scientist or work in the NHS, private sector or industry in a post graduate level role in a relevant subject.
You must show a clear understanding of dietetics, the role of dietitians and the role of a health professional within various clinical settings alongside relevant work shadowing.
You must have a strong profile of secondary qualifications in sciences (A-level or equivalent).
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Information
Requests for accreditation of prior learning (APL) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Accreditation of prior learning (APL) is defined as a system whereby academic credits can be awarded for previous learning that has taken place.
- English and Mathematics
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- Additional GCSE Requirements
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Biology or Double Science at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- Interviews
The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview. Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your application.
Interview format
Our interviews for 2025 will take place online. You will be invited to an appointment by email. These are usually 40 minutes long. The email will include a link to the online interview. This is conducted on Blackboard collaborate.
The interview will be conducted by one or multiple interviewers including academic members of staff from the School of Health Sciences at UEA, clinicians from the profession, service users* and/or current UEA students from the course.
*A ‘service user’ is someone who has access to use health or social care services or could be affected by the services of health and social care professionals.
After an initial introduction, the lead interviewer will conduct an ID check and then explain how the interview will unfold.
The interview will cover three distinct domains which will be introduced to you by the interviewer at the start of your interview. The interview questions will be shared in the chat with you so you can read them.
Interview questions
Each domain will contain questions with a specific focus. The order in which you are asked about these domains will be variable. The domains are:
- Your knowledge of the professional field for which you are applying.
- Your personal qualities and suitability for the profession. To help with discussion around this domain, you may be asked to consider a scenario and asked questions about how you would respond to it. You will be given time to read the scenario before you approach the interview station, and it will also be read to you by the interviewer(s).
- Your understanding of and suitability for the course at UEA.
In each domain, interviewers will also consider your understanding of the values that are required of a healthcare professional. This will include your understanding of moral and ethical values, competence, commitment to improve and personal accountability. You won’t necessarily be asked specific questions about these areas, but the information you include in your answers to all questions will be considered when the interviewer(s) assess you.
Experience of healthcare
We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation.
Clinical work experience will not generally be a requirement for applying to train in healthcare. We will be looking for you to show that you are able to work with people, that you appreciate the health and social care setting, and that you understand what a career in health will involve. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.
Note that your experiences are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. It is important that you think about how you might be able to demonstrate your understanding of healthcare, that you can relate this to experience or research, and that you can explain what you have learned.
What type of experience or research do you need?
Any activity, life experience or research that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:
- Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
- Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
- A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.
Practical ways to gain experience
Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.
Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. If volunteer work in the NHS isn’t something that is available to you, think about what else you could explore i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively.
Remember: what is important is what you learn about yourself and about other people, and what you learn about how effective care is delivered and received. How you learn these things is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt that matters.
- Placements
Occupational Health Check
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
DBS Check
The offer made to successful applicants after the interview stage will be conditional on completing an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required.
Assessing Your Fitness to Become a Registered Healthcare Professional
Please see our guidance on assessing your fitness.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in February each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent.
Degree Subject
Should be in a subject with sufficient relevant human physiology and biochemistry.
Suitable degrees include but not limited to: biomedical sciences, human nutrition, nutritional science, biochemistry, human biology, physiology, health sciences; or from a nutrition background: food science, applied human nutrition, clinical pathology, pharmacology, therapeutic dietetics.
- Additional Entry Requirements
This is a pre-registration course. If you have studied an Undergraduate degree in Dietetics, this course is not suitable and you may wish to consider our other professional health courses delivered at Degree and Master’s level.
You must have graduated from your degree within the last 10 years of the start date of the MSc Dietetics course.
Applicants may also be considered outside this timeframe if they have highly relevant work experience. Highly relevant experience includes but is not limited to those who have previous or current employment as a dietetic assistant, registered nutritionist, Clinical Scientist, Biomedical Scientist or work in the NHS, private sector or industry in a post graduate level role in a relevant subject.
You must show a clear understanding of dietetics, the role of dietitians and the role of a health professional within various clinical settings alongside relevant work shadowing.
You must have a strong profile of secondary qualifications in sciences (A-level or equivalent).
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Information
Requests for accreditation of prior learning (APL) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Accreditation of prior learning (APL) is defined as a system whereby academic credits can be awarded for previous learning that has taken place.
- English and Mathematics
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- Additional GCSE Requirements
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Biology or Double Science at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
-
- Interviews
The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview. Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your application.
Interview format
Our interviews for 2025 will take place online. You will be invited to an appointment by email. These are usually 40 minutes long. The email will include a link to the online interview. This is conducted on Blackboard collaborate.
The interview will be conducted by one or multiple interviewers including academic members of staff from the School of Health Sciences at UEA, clinicians from the profession, service users* and/or current UEA students from the course.
*A ‘service user’ is someone who has access to use health or social care services or could be affected by the services of health and social care professionals.
After an initial introduction, the lead interviewer will conduct an ID check and then explain how the interview will unfold.
The interview will cover three distinct domains which will be introduced to you by the interviewer at the start of your interview. The interview questions will be shared in the chat with you so you can read them.
Interview questions
Each domain will contain questions with a specific focus. The order in which you are asked about these domains will be variable. The domains are:
- Your knowledge of the professional field for which you are applying.
- Your personal qualities and suitability for the profession. To help with discussion around this domain, you may be asked to consider a scenario and asked questions about how you would respond to it. You will be given time to read the scenario before you approach the interview station, and it will also be read to you by the interviewer(s).
- Your understanding of and suitability for the course at UEA.
In each domain, interviewers will also consider your understanding of the values that are required of a healthcare professional. This will include your understanding of moral and ethical values, competence, commitment to improve and personal accountability. You won’t necessarily be asked specific questions about these areas, but the information you include in your answers to all questions will be considered when the interviewer(s) assess you.
Experience of healthcare
We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation.
Clinical work experience will not generally be a requirement for applying to train in healthcare. We will be looking for you to show that you are able to work with people, that you appreciate the health and social care setting, and that you understand what a career in health will involve. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.
Note that your experiences are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. It is important that you think about how you might be able to demonstrate your understanding of healthcare, that you can relate this to experience or research, and that you can explain what you have learned.
What type of experience or research do you need?
Any activity, life experience or research that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:
- Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
- Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
- A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.
Practical ways to gain experience
Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.
Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. If volunteer work in the NHS isn’t something that is available to you, think about what else you could explore i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively.
Remember: what is important is what you learn about yourself and about other people, and what you learn about how effective care is delivered and received. How you learn these things is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt that matters.
- Placements
Occupational Health Check
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
DBS Check
The offer made to successful applicants after the interview stage will be conditional on completing an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required.
Assessing Your Fitness to Become a Registered Healthcare Professional
Please see our guidance on assessing your fitness.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
-
UK Students: £18,500
-
International Students: £45,500 (Course fee charged as £45,500 over two academic years, £22,750 per academic year.)
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
The closing date for receipt of complete applications is 01 June.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Upon successful completion, you'll be eligible to apply to the register of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to become a registered dietitian and be able to practice as a dietitian.
Your first typical job will consolidate your skills and offer opportunities to learn about different dietetic specialisms. For this reason, many first jobs are rotational dietetic positions within the NHS.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- NHS / Clinical dietetics
- Charitable organisations
- Own start ups
- Private practice
- Education & research
- Media & journalism
- Sports nutrition
- Public Health
- Food industry
Discover more on our Careers webpages.