These questions are answered below:

What is a dietitian?

click your choice Careers home page Careers FAQ Join the BDA Dietitians are the only nutrition-related profession registered with the Health Professions Council. They are uniquely qualified by degree to translate scientific information about food into practical dietary advice. As well as providing impartial advice about nutrition and health, dietitians also advise about food related problems and treat disease and ill health. Many dietitians work in the National Health Service (NHS) and may work in one or more specialist areas, e.g. diabetes, children's health, cancer, whilst others work with people in the community, often visiting them in their own homes. They are a key part of the healthcare team. There are also a wide range of opportunities for dietitians outside the NHS such as the food industry, sports, scientific research, public health and journalism.

What is the difference between a dietitian and nutritionist?

Dietetics is the interpretation and communication of the science of nutrition to enable people to make informed and practical choices about food and lifestyle, in both health and disease. A dietitian will have trained in both hospital and community settings as part of their course. Most dietitians are employed in the NHS, but dietitians also work in the food industry, education, research and on a freelance basis. It is necessary to have a Health Professions Council (HPC) recognised degree in nutrition and dietetics to work as a dietitian and to be registered with the HPC if working as a dietitian. The title dietitian is protected by law, anyone using the title must be registered with the HPC.

Nutrition is the study of nutrients in food, how nutrients are used by the body, and the relationship between diet, health and disease. Most of the major food manufacturers and retailers employ nutritionists and food scientists but opportunities also arise in journalism, research and education. There are a variety of careers within the field of food science and technology. Many nutritionists hold a nutrition degree and are on the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists, but this is not a mandatory register. Further information about training to be a nutritionist can be found at www.associationfornutrition.org/

click for nutritionist / dietitian leaflet

What are the career prospects?

Career prospects are mainly in the National Health Service, food industry, education, research, health promotion, sports nutrition and the media. There is every opportunity for your career to progress in a way that suits your individual strengths and interests.
There are many opportunities for working in dietetics across the UK and abroad and in a wide range of specialisms. The BDA has a website named Career Choices listing dietetic positions which is frequently updated. The NHS Jobs website also lists vacancies in the NHS.

A dietitian starting in the NHS can expect to earn from £21,176.

Is there a route to becoming a dietitian through working as a dietetic support worker?

There is no formal route to train as a dietitian while working as a dietetic support worker.

Successful completion of a recognised degree is required to become a dietitian. Some dietetic students combine working as a dietetic support worker with study, but this is not necessary.

Can I study to become a dietitian on a part-time basis?

All dietetic courses are full time. If you have any specific needs to study part time, it may be worthwhile to discuss this with the university.

Can I study to become a dietitian through distance learning?

There is no route to studying as a dietitian through correspondence or distance-learning courses.

What are the entry requirements for the postgraduate degree in dietetics?

Normally, applicants for these courses will have successfully completed an honours degree course which contains an acceptable level of human physiology and biochemistry. A good command of spoken and written English is essential.

For further information regarding entry requirements please contact the individual universities.

How can I gain work experience in a dietetic department?

Contact your local dietetic department through your local hospital/s and place a request through the dietetic manager. A list of hospitals in your local area can be found at www.nhs.uk.

In London, Kings College University and London Metropolitan University also run regular ‘Career in Dietetics’ events. These events are intended for those who have already applied to study dietetics or those who are currently in the process of applying to study dietetics. They provide prospective dietetic students the opportunity to gain an insight into the work of a dietitian. More information about these events can be accessed on the London Dietetics website. http://www.londondietetics.co.uk/

Is there any financial help for students undertaking a dietetic degree?

Tuition fees are funded by the National Health Service (NHS) for both UK and EU students with successful UK applicants to the BSc programmes also eligible to apply for a means-tested NHS bursary, subject to UK residency criteria. This funding is not open to international students.

Please refer to the NHS student grants website at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students

Further information is available by country from:

England: www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk/
Scotland: www.saas.gov.uk/
Northern Ireland: www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/
Wales: www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/829/page/36092
www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/

I am an overseas student - can I apply for a dietetics course?

English and Welsh universities do not accept overseas students for dietetic degree courses because they have a fixed number of commissions from the NHS, and these have to go to either UK or European students. For more information regarding eligibility contact the university or NHS Student Grants on www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students.

Scottish universities will accept overseas students.

As an overseas student, can I complete my placement year in the UK?

In some countries the training is academic followed by placement or pre-reg year (internship).

No university in the UK can offer the practice element of the training to an overseas student: only NHS students are funded for this. The UK has no provision for this type of experience.

How can I find out which is the best university to attend?

All dietetic courses that are approved by the Health Professions Council, the regulator for health professionals, on successful completion, will lead to registration as a dietitian. Most courses are also accredited by The British Dietetic Association.

For further information please visit the Health Professions Council website www.hpc-uk.org.

Information regarding university league tables are usually published by national newspapers.

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