This new four-year
integrated master’s course
will give you the theoretical
understanding and practical
skills that you’ll need to build
a rewarding career as a
dietitian. Practice
placements are an
integrated part of the course
and allow students to put
their theoretical knowledge
into practice.
Master of
Dietetics (MDiet)*
Dietetics is a fascinating field
that focuses on the management
and the prevention of nutrition-
related disorders at an individual,
group and population level.
Dietitians are the only regulated
health professionals that assess,
diagnose and treat dietary and
nutrition-related problems at an
individual and wider public health
level.
There are many strands of knowledge
that you’ll need to 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
graduate dietitians.
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 food in health, together with
human physiology, genetics and
biochemistry. You will also develop skills
in communication, information
technology and academic study skills.
In Year Two you will develop your
knowledge and understanding of the
concepts relating to health and nutrition
further, while beginning to integrate
biological and social sciences. In
addition, in Year Two, you will undertake
your first practice placement block. This
will consist of two weeks on campus and
two weeks within the Scottish health and
social care setting.
Year Three develops your knowledge
and communication skills further and
begins to have a more clinically
orientated and applied focus. This helps
to prepare you for your second practice
placement block (12 weeks duration)
within the health and social care sector in
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 also allows
you to undertake an individual research-
based project in order to develop your
knowledge and skills in this area. You will
also undertake your third and final
placement block (12 weeks duration)
within the health and social care sector in
Scotland.
Structure
This is a four-year, full-time integrated
master’s course. You will complete a
range of modules each year, as outlined,
and a research project in Year Four.
Students will complete 600 SCQF credits
across the four years of the course,
enabling them to graduate with a Master
of Dietetics (MDiet).
Teaching, learning and assessment
You will be taught in lectures, seminars,
practical workshops and laboratories.
Outwith 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. See the course entry on our
website for more information.
Modules
Year One
Physiology/ Contextualising You and
Your Profession/ Food, Lifestyle and
Society/ Cell Biology and Genetics/
Biochemistry/ Introduction to Food
Science/ Evidence-Based Practice
76
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/ Innovations in Practice
The modules listed here are correct at
time of print (Feb 2019) but are subject
to validation. Please check the website
for any updates.
*Subject to validation