Applying for Nutrition and Dietetics

Checklist for Applicants for MSC/PGDip Nutrition and Dietetics (2024 Entry) / Supporting Information for Postgraduate Nutrition and Dietetics Applications 2024

1. Entry requirements

Degree

Normally, an upper second (2.1) class honours degree in a relevant science subject is required with modules in:

• Biochemistry (minimum 20 credits at Level 4 or above); and
• Physiology (minimum 20 credits at level 4 or above)
• Plus, an additional 20 credits in a relevant science subject (such as Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Genetics.)

All students need to have completed an undergraduate dissertation/ research project.

Academic study should have taken place within the last five years.  If your degree was completed more than five years ago we require evidence of academic study or career and professional development activity within the last five years. 

Students with a 2:2 including a substantial amount of Biochemistry and Physiology with good grades in these subjects plus a relevant postgraduate qualification will also be considered.

All students need to have completed an undergraduate dissertation/research project.

2. Module Outlines/Details of the required modules

All applicants, including University of Chester students, must submit module outlines/details of the required modules. These are descriptions/details of your modules (module outlines/details/syllabus/module descriptors/module specifications), which are available in your course handbook, from your University website or University department and must be provided with your application. This includes all required modules, at all levels, in all years, including those in which your results are pending. Your physiology background should include major organ systems - the most relevant include the gastrointestinal, kidney, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems. Biochemistry modules should include the major metabolic pathways. Please ensure you record any key modules currently being undertaken or planned when you apply for Nutrition and Dietetics. This information is required in addition to your degree transcript. 

If your documents were issued to you in a language other than English, please provide an image of the original document and an official English language translation.

3. Degree/relevant qualification transcript

All applicants, including University of Chester students, must submit an official degree/relevant qualification transcript/profile/mark sheet/Diploma Supplement outlining all modules previously studied, currently being studied and any that are due to be studied, their credit value and marks awarded, where appropriate. If you have completed your degree/relevant qualification, please also upload a copy of your certificate and any other relevant qualifications.  Please do not upload any certificates that are not relevant to our entry criteria, e.g. A level or GCSE certificates, or send original certificates in the post; we will request them if necessary. If you have changed your name since you received your results, please state your previous name when you apply and upload evidence of your change of name, such as marriage certificate, marriage certificate and degree absolute or deed poll, to your application. If your documents were issued to you in a language other than English, please provide an image of the original document and an official English language translation.

4. Further study

If you do not meet the admission criteria for this programme as outlined above you could improve your application by undertaking study in the subjects required - look into accessing similar modules* which may be offered at a college or university elsewhere; or, you can access University of Chester modules by contacting undergraduate admissions via: admissions@chester.ac.uk, 01244 512658/01244 512175 and requesting a free-standing module form.  An appropriate physiology module must include the function of the major organ systems, while biochemistry modules must include the major metabolic pathways with other relevant science subjects having a similar content.  Alternatively, you may find it useful to complete a postgraduate certificate (PG Cert) in Human Nutrition, consisting of three 20 credit modules delivered in 3 day blocks which may satisfy the biochemistry/physiology requirements, dependent on prior learning. Please apply online via the Postgraduate How to Apply section.  

*Any offer would be conditional on these modules being successfully completed - you must notify us of this as soon as possible.

If you are undertaking modules at the University of Chester you are still required to provide these details on application.

5. References

Please note that we require the details of two referees, one of which should be academic if you have studied in the last three years. They should comment on your academic background, your ability to cope with the academic demands of the course and the qualities you have, which would make you suitable to become a Registered Dietitian.  Please note that the programme leader (Abigail Price) may not be added as a referee. 

If it is more than three years since you have studied, an employer reference will suffice.  Please ensure that you enter accurate details for your referee so that a reference is received by us by the deadline (see timetable). We will not accept applications supported by references from family and friends (as is standard when applying for NHS posts). Referees’ email addresses must be official university/professional email addresses. Private email addresses i.e. @yahoo, @hotmail, will not be accepted.

References must be dated within the 12 months prior to the application deadline. We advise you to contact your referee before you apply as the online system will automatically send them a reference request when you submit your application. If at least one suitable reference is not received by the referee’s deadline of Friday, 9th February 2024, we cannot process your application and therefore your application would be rejected. References must be provided in English. If you have previously provided a reference which is less than 12 months old by the application deadline, we may be able to use this reference. Please enter Postgraduate Admissions and postgrad@chester.ac.uk in the referees’ details and we will check that this reference is acceptable. Please contact us if you have any queries regarding references.

6. Experience

Although it is not compulsory, it is strongly advised that you can demonstrate that you have experienced the work of a dietitian as this will strengthen your application. This could be through visiting a dietetic department, attending a dietetic awareness event, such as those on our course page, or through employment as a dietetic assistant. For evidence that you have visited a dietetic department, please complete a Dietetic Department/Experience form, or obtain a certificate of attendance from a dietetic department open day. In either case, please ensure these are signed and dated by the supervising dietitian. You will also be asked to provide their contact details (email address) in AIMS. However, please note that this is not an essential part of the application process and you can still submit your application without this evidence. If you have worked in a Dietetic Department as a Dietetic Assistant, you should nominate your supervisor as a referee.

7. Dietetic department visit

Have you visited a dietetic department within the last three years? (Optional)

If so, please upload a completed Dietetic Department/Experience form, or obtain a certificate of attendance from a dietetic department open day. In either case, please ensure these are signed and dated by the supervising dietitian.

8. English language proficiency

A good command of written and spoken English is essential. If your first language is not English, you must provide evidence of English Proficiency to the standard equivalent to level 7 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no element below 6.5.

9. Fees, funding and eligibility

The programme is self-funded. Further information regarding fees can be found in the Postgraduate Fees section. Please note, that despite this being a postgraduate course, most students are advised to apply for an undergraduate, rather than a postgraduate, student loan. You can choose to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma or the MSc.

Most students can then also apply for additional financial support from the Learning Support Fund. There is also a £5,000 per year Healthcare Grant, which has been extended to Nutrition and Dietetics students. For further information, please visit www.slc.co.uk, www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/learning-support-fund and https://www1.chester.ac.uk/news/new-healthcare-grant-extended-nutrition-and-dietetics-students

However, students intending to fund their studies via a student loan from Student Finance Northern Ireland should apply for a postgraduate student loan.

Generally, the funding you can apply for depends on the UK country where you ordinarily live.

Please visit thefundingclinic.org.uk for further information.

10. Personal statement (to be completed within the online application)

When completing this section of the application, we ask that you submit only 150-200 words for each of the following questions:

1. Why do you want to become a dietitian?
2. Discuss your communication skills with specific reference to becoming an effective dietitian
3. What do you understand by the phrase ’Patient-Centered Care’?
4. Discuss the skills and experience you have that will assist you in becoming a dietitian.

Maximum 800 words in total.

11. Application assessment

All applications are scored against a standardised person specification. In addition to the academic requirements, non-academic criteria and personal qualities of applicants are assessed. We must stress that you should ensure all the information requested is submitted.

We have provided a checklist for your application, which we advise you to go through before commencing your application to ensure you have all the documents you require. Once you have commenced your application and uploaded your documents, please check that you have uploaded the correct documents before you submit it. Failure to provide any documents when you apply online will mean that we cannot process your application.

If you are unsure of anything, please contact us before the deadline. We cannot accept any documentation after the deadline.

We look forward to receiving your application.

12. Other information

Enhancing your application

Please make sure the information you provide is clearly detailed and accurate. The majority of applicants are academically very highly qualified so the personal statement is critical in differentiating between candidates. You should consider the following in your statement:  motivation, interpersonal skills, insight into dietetics, and non-academic achievements. You will be required to upload all supporting documents online via AIMS.