Master of Dietetics (MDiet)

• You will be taught by experienced Registered Dietitians and other staff who are professionally and research active. Their applied research and professional links inform the teaching on the course keeping it up to date with current thinking in the field.
• Learn real-world skills on placements within a health and social care setting and on other practice-based opportunities with voluntary and third sector organisations.
• Throughout the course there is a strong emphasis on developing communication, team working and leadership skills supported by academic and student services to help individuals fulfill their potential.

Dietitians have the opportunity to work in a diverse range of settings including health and social care settings, private practice, the food industry, research related roles and government advisory roles. There are many strands of knowledge that you will master on your way to a career as a dietitian. This course has been carefully structured to integrate theoretical study in different fields with the practical experience to develop the skills required to work as a graduate dietitian.

In Year One you will study a range of modules that provide you with the fundamental knowledge, principles and concepts that underpin the practice of dietetics. You will be introduced to the role of the dietitian, the role of food in health, human physiology, genetics and biochemistry. You will develop skills in communication, information technology and academic study skills. Students are invited to begin to engage in our peer-mentoring scheme, which provides additional support during the transition to university life.

In Year Two you will continue to develop your academic study skills and further develop your knowledge and understanding of the concepts relating to health and nutrition, when beginning to integrate biological and social sciences. You will undertake your first practice placement block. This will consist of two weeks on campus and two weeks within a Scottish health and social care setting.

Year Three develops your knowledge and communication skills further, begins to have a more applied focus and is more clinically orientated. This helps to prepare you for your second practice placement block (12 weeks duration) within various health and social care sectors across Scotland.

Year Four provides you with an opportunity to reflect on and consolidate what you have learnt on your placement at the end of Year Three. It allows you to undertake an individual research-based project to develop your knowledge and skills in this area. You will undertake your third and final placement block (12 weeks duration) within various health and social care sectors across Scotland.

This is a four year integrated undergraduate master’s course. Students commence the course with a view to graduating with a Master of Dietetics (MDiet) in four years. Years Three and Four are taught alongside postgraduate students studying on the postgraduate Pre-Registration course. There is an option for students to transfer to a BSc (Hons) route at the end of year two and they will still be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a dietitan.

You will be taught in face-to-face or online lectures, seminars, practical workshops and laboratories. Outside timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. You will be assessed by a variety of assessment methods (eg written and practical exams, case studies, written assignments and presentations) at the end of each module or semester.

Year One

• Physiology
• Contextualising You and Your Profession
• Food, Lifestyle and Society
• Cell Biology and Genetics
• Biochemistry
• Introduction to Food Science
• Evidence-Based Practice

Year Two

• Introduction to Dietetic Practice (Placement A)
• Nutrient Metabolism
• Behaviour Change
• Pharmacology
• Nutrition
• Health Issues in the Community
• Epidemiology in Public Health

Year Three

• Essentials of Dietetic Management
• Nutrition Through the Life Course
• Dietetic Management of Long Term Conditions
• Dissertation
• Disease Aetiology and Management
• Developing Dietetic Practice (Placement B)

Year Four

• Consolidating Dietetic Practice (Placement C)
• Dietetic Research Project
• Innovative and Emerging Practice

The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (April 2021) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2021. Please check back here for any updates.

Placements provide the opportunity to integrate practice with theory. You will complete approximately 1000 hours of practice-based learning delivered as one four-week placement in Year Two (two weeks on campus and two weeks in practice), one 12-week placement in Year Three and one 12-week placement in Year Four.

QMU manages the sourcing and allocation of placements for each student on this course in partnership with Health Boards in Scotland and other universities in Scotland that deliver dietetic education. Placements are randomly allocated to students as part of a Scottish wide allocation process.

To enhance future employablity placements take place across a variety of health and social care settings in any of the Health Board areas across Scotland. It is therefore likely that students will have to relocate for at least some of their practice based learning unless they have individual requirements (eg specific health needs or school age children) that mean they must remain in a specific location. The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.

Most graduates elect to work within various healthcare settings, including the NHS. Others work in health education, health promotion, general practice, private healthcare and government advisory posts. Some graduates apply for the opportunity to study for a higher degree (MSc, MPhil or PhD).

Scottish Higher: Standard - BBBC, Minimum - BCCC

A Level: AB

Irish Leaving Certificate: H3 H3 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: 28 points

International: IELTS of 7.0 with no element lower than 6.5

Required subjects:
• Normally Chemistry and Biology and preferably one other science (may include Maths or Home Economics) at Higher or equivalent AND Maths and English at Nat 5
• Normally Chemistry or Biology at A Level AND at GCSE we ask for Maths and English plus one other science (either Chemistry or Biology)

Mature/Access: Related Access course, see: www.qmu.ac.uk/college-qualifications. We welcome applications from mature students with relevant qualifications in Biology and Chemistry and/or relevant experience.

Direct Entry: A small number of places are available for direct entry to Year Two of the course. These applications will be considered on an individual basis. To ensure the applicants have developed the knowledge and skills acquired in Year One of the MDiet will typically include either:
• A levels: ABBB that must include Biology and Chemistry (one must be at A grade), Health and Food Technology and one discursive subject eg History, Modern Studies, Sociology or English or
• successful completion of Year One of an appropriate BSc (Hons) Nutrition degree.

Other requirements:
• A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are required. You may be requested to be immunised against Hepatitis B.
• The cost of the PVG check and the professional indemnity insurance are the responsibility of the student. Currently the cost of the health check is funded by the Scottish Government for Scottish students only, other students are responsible for this cost. This is, however subject to change should the Scottish Government change their funding policy.

Successful completion of the course (academic and practice placement components) confers eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

For more information, please see ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

QMU. Please see External Review’ section on the ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’ page of our website.