Dietetics Masters - MSc/PgD

Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics

Year One:

Term One (September - December)

• Principles of Dietetics for PGs
  
• Communication for PG Dietitians
• Specialist Dietetics for PG Dietitians

Term Two (January - March)

• Applied Research Methods and Design
• IPE for PGs
• Professional Body Module: Health and Wellbeing (covers Psychology and Sociology)

Term Three (May - July)

• Placement 1 (6 weeks May/June)
• Specialist Dietetics for PGs

Year Two:

• Placement 2 – September/October 8 Weeks
• Contemporary Nutrition in Dietetic Clinical Practice - 4 weeks November (in Cardiff Met)
• Placement 3: December to March 14 weeks
• Contemporary Nutrition in Dietetic Clinical Practice - 2 weeks May (In Cardiff Met)
• Exit with Postgraduate Diploma at Exam Board in June

MSc Dietetics

This should be completed within two years of starting the PG Diploma in Dietetics.

The 60-credit dissertation has four assessments:

• Protocol
• Extended Literature Review
• Research Paper
• Reflective Statement

The taught element of the programme involves lectures, tutorials and practical work. Tutorials are mainly case study based where students apply the theoretical knowledge gained in lectures to problem solve case scenarios. Practical sessions are either food based, involve giving presentations or practice in consultation skills. The practicals take place in the specialist food facilities and the clinical simulation suite.

Contact hours for the course are high.

It is expected that students undertake independent reading and self-study; this is aided by the use of Moodle, the Virtual Learning Environment in use at the University.

In addition students undertake 3 periods of practical training in NHS Dietetics departments in Wales. Full preparation is given prior to the placements and students are supported and visited during the placements by Dietetic Academic staff.

All students are allocated a personal tutor who offers pastoral support and guides the student through personal development planning.

All students will undertake modules with practical elements that are delivered in our kitchens and food production areas. In compliance with Food Manufacturing Regulations, no jewellery including exposed piercings are permitted in these areas. All jewellery including exposed piercings (but with the exception of a single, plain wedding ring, wedding wristband or medical alert jewellery) must be removed before entering these spaces.

Each module is assessed by examination and/or assignment. The methods of assessment include examinations, coursework, assignments, practical’s, work based placements, presentations. All Level 7 modules are double marked. All the modules are externally assessed. The clinical training placements have to be successfully completed to proceed and graduate.

Dietitians normally begin their career in the National Health Service where they progress to the main clinical grades. The opportunity exists for specialisation in various aspects of dietetics by means of post-registration education. In addition there are opportunities for dietitians to be involved in health education/promotion, education, research and journalism.

For the PG Diploma in Dietetics:

Applicants should have an honours degree (1st class or 2:1) in human nutrition, or a degree that includes nutrition in the awards title, with sufficient emphasis on physiology and biochemistry (40 credits in total required, with at least 20 credits in human physiology and 20 credits in human biochemistry). It is also preferable for candidates to have 10 credits in sociology and 10 credits in psychology, however this can be taken alongside other modules on the programme if successful.

Students should have completed their degree not more than five years before their proposed entry to this PG Diploma. Applicants who have a first or upper second-class honours degree in nutrition, which does not contain either sufficient biochemistry or physiology (but not both), can undertake further relevant modules at undergraduate level, prior to applying for the programme. Applicants who do not have a degree award in nutrition (1st or 2:1) but meet the requirements for biochemistry and physiology, will need to undertake a further relevant taught course of study to at least to postgraduate diploma level prior to applying for the course.

Gaining experience within a relevant setting is strongly advised due to the high calibre and volume of applications submitted each year. To enhance your application we recommend gaining as much experience as possible, for example, working as a Dietetic Support Worker, volunteering/working within a dietetic department, volunteering for related charities, or working as a Healthcare Assistant.

Health Boards in Wales are currently working together to provide Experience Days for prospective students who frequently enquire about work experience days. As this is a requirement in applying for the BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition and Dietetics and MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics programmes, Experience Days have been set up to accommodate this.

You will not need to attend an Experience Day in Wales if you have already received Dietetic experience elsewhere as the same information will be covered. The Health Boards aim to provide two/three every year.​​

For the MSc Dietetics:

Eligibility for the course is a having obtained a PgDip in Dietetics qualification and also current registration with the HCPC. If your PgDip wasn't undertaken at Cardiff Met, you will need to submit an RPL form, so you can transfer your PgDip credits.

Selection Procedure for PgDip Dietetics:

Applications are scored on the basis of the personal statement, work experience, references and credits. Successful applications are invited to an interview. Please be aware that there are limited places and you may be placed on a waiting list if all available places have been already allocated.

We only offer conditional places. The following conditions need to be met before Induction Week, in September:

• Provide copy of your official final transcript from your undergraduate course.
• Obtain a clear enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. Please find more details here.
• Undergo an Occupational Health Screening, arranged by the University.

Please note: Applications remain open until the course reaches maximum capacity. Applicants who submit an application, but who don't provide all compulsory documents, will not be considered.

Selection Procedure for MSc Dietetics:

Successful applicants will be required to obtain a clear enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. Please find more details here. Applicants who have obtained their PgDip out of Cardiff Met will need to submit an RPL request to transfer the credits prior to enrolment.

Applicants who speak English as a second language must have adequate command of English, with an IELTS score of 7, with at least 6.5 in all elements. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Due to the nature of the programme, we are not able to consider international applicants. We welcome applicants from the Republic of Ireland, as they are considered as Home applicants for fee purposes. Please check our Fee Status Assessment here for further information.

How to Apply:

Please visit our How to Apply pages for further information, as well as our Compulsory Documents.

If you are interesting in using credit from another institution or that obtained from qualifications or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.

Health Boards in Wales are currently working together to provide Experience Days for prospective students who frequently enquire about work experience days. As this is a requirement in applying for the BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition and Dietetics and MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics programmes, Experience Days have been set up to accommodate this.

You will not need to attend an Experience Day in Wales if you have already received Dietetic experience elsewhere as the same information will be covered. The Health Boards aim to provide two/three every year.

Next Dietetic Experience Day:

6 February 2024, Powys Teaching Health Board​​ - Further Information​

To apply to attend one of the days listed above please complete the application form here.

Please only book a place if you definitely intend to attend. If you book a place but cannot attend please let us know as soon as possible so that we can give your place to someone else. A list of those who do not attend without cancelling their place will be provided to the Programme Director to be considered in the allocation of places on the programme.

Please note, these are not University open days. Details on open days run by the University which cover course and university information can be found on our Open Day pages.

All healthcare students, including those who have not subscribed to NHS Wales Bursary which provides financial support for tuition fees and for some aspects of maintenance in return for their commitment to work in Wales after graduation, are eligible for support from NHS Wales in the form of reimbursement of clinical placement travel and subsistence expenses which may be claimed through the Cardiff Metropolitan University Student Services Placements Office. For further information on reclaiming placement expenses please contact cpt@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Please contact financeadvice@cardiffmet.ac.uk if you have any queries about funding, including student finance and NHS bursary. For further information about the NHS Bursary Scheme, please click here.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email directapplications@cardiffmet.ac.uk

For course specific enquiries please contact the programme director, Rhiannon Harris, on rharris@cardiffmet.ac.uk

Tel: 029 2041 6884​