Here are some top tips for things to consider when researching your degree options:

What should I look for in a Nutrition and Dietetics degree?
It is important that you look for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) approval. This means that once you have qualified you will be able to register as a dietitian. It is also important that you look at the qualifications of the staff within the department where you will be studying. Will there be registered dietitians, registered nutritionists and other experts teaching you?  Make sure that you will be given the opportunity to develop your practice in a wide range of clinical settings, and learn additional skills along the way to enhance your employability.

At the University of Chester, Nutrition and Dietetics is fundamentally a science-based degree. Core topics such as nutrition, physiology, and biochemistry are embedded throughout the degree, and are used to build the higher levels of dietetics such as clinical nutrition, pharmacology, and public health nutrition. Our location in the North West of England is ideal for exposing students to a wide range of work placements that help develop students’ competence in dietetic practice.

What kind of career might a Nutrition and Dietetics degree lead to?

A degree in Nutrition and Dietetics will equip you with a broad range of skills.  Traditionally, most graduates from these programmes have gone into the NHS to work as dietitians. However, we are seeing more and more graduates embrace additional careers that focus around nutrition and health, such as: working in the food and pharmaceutical industry; media; research; sports nutrition; and public health. Some graduates go on to complete an MSc or PhD and focus in a specific area of dietetics such as Obesity and Weight Management, or Exercise and Nutrition Science.

What can I expect from a career in Nutrition and Dietetics?

Working in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics is exciting! Everyone has to eat, and the requirement for high-quality graduates who have the skills, knowledge and ability to clearly communicate is also expanding and becoming more valued. Just look at how often something related to food appears in the news! The expectations from your career will vary depending on which path you chose after your degree, but one thing is common between all of them: expect a challenging and rewarding career. There will be many opportunities to continue your learning once you have completed your degree – it is a pathway that leads to a career, not just a job. As a registered dietitian you will be expected to maintain your knowledge and expertise in whichever area you specialise in, and engage in continual professional development (CPD).

How can I become a dietitian?

Your journey to becoming a registered dietitian starts by undertaking an approved degree course. Once you complete this, you will be eligible to register with the HCPC and use the title of ‘Registered Dietitian’. 

To gain entry onto an undergraduate degree you will need to apply through UCAS.  Each course will have a different entry criteria, so be sure to check with each university you are considering.  However, most will expect you to show a strong understanding of the profession and your reasons for wanting to study this degree in your personal statement. You will also need to show a solid interest in the scientific aspects of food, excellent interpersonal skills, and a willingness to stay up-to-date with current nutritional information.
 

Find Out More

We offer opportunities to visit us throughout the year, and would love to welcome you to the Department to see our facilities and speak with staff.