How do I become a dietitian? 

There are two ways that you can become a dietitian: 

How do I become a nutritionist?   

If you would like to become a registered public health nutritionist, you should complete a relevant degree course. Most are three or four years full time.  Please note that these courses do not include clinical training, and will not qualify students to work in one to one clinical practice with private patients, nor to advise them on specific therapeutic diets.  Only nutritional therapists and dietitians are qualified to do so.  For those people wishing for this kind of career, please see the sections on training to be a nutritional therapist or training to be a dietitian.

Single subject degree courses in Nutritional Science or Public Health Nutrition only lead to professional careers in industry or government or health, depending on the subjects covered.  Or you could go onto further study, for example in dietetics or sports nutrition, or research.

What qualifications do I need to do a nutrition degree course? 

You will need science subjects such as Chemistry and / or Biology at A level or Scottish Higher or Irish Leaving Certificate (or equivalent). If you did not study science at school, you may be able to enter university after successfully completing a science access course instead. Course Leaders or Admissions tutors will advise you about entry requirements.  

 Where can I take a nutrition degree course?     

The following are undergraduate degree courses that are accredited by The Nutrition Society: 

• Leeds Metropolitan University: BSc (Hone) Human Nutrition
• London Metropolitan University: BSc (Hons) Public Health Nutrition
• Sheffield Hallam University: BSc (Hons) Public Health Nutrition
• University of Ulster: Public Health Nutrition Pathway in the BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition
• Queen Margaret University College: BSc (Hons) Public Health Nutrition (4 years)

There are also over 145 degree courses in nutrition that have not yet been accredited by The Nutrition Society, please visit the UCAS website for more information. 

What should I do after I get my degree? 

The Nutrition Society hold voluntary registers and is working to make nutritionist a protected title.  It awards the titles Registered Nutritionist, Registered Public Health Nutritionist, Associate Registered Nutritionist, Associate Registered Public Health Nutritionist and letters R Nutr., Assoc Nutr., R PHNutr., Assoc PHNutr to recognise high standards of qualifications and professional experience in nutrition.   

Requirements for registration on the Register of Nutritionists are as follows: 

Either 1. An acceptable degree from a university or Institute of Higher Education authorised to award degrees in an appropriate subject
Or 2. An alternative qualification that is acceptable to the Nutrition Registration committee
Or 3. Evidence to satisfy the Nutrition Registration Committee that on the basis of substantial professional experience of an appropriate nature and level the requirement for 1 and 2 may be waived.
Plus
Either 1. Three year's relevant professional experience
Or 2. Completion of a PhD in an appropriate subject area at a university or Institute of High Education
And Assessment of suitability for registration

Can I get any financial help with my studies? 

There is no specific financial help available, however you could apply for a Career Development Loan (call 0800 585 505), or go the DfES Student Support web site at www.dfes.gov.uk for more information.   

BACK TO TOP OF THIS PAGE

How do I become a nutritional therapist? 

·        Complete a relevant degree course

·        Complete a relevant diploma course   

Most degree courses are three years full-time, and diploma courses can be three/four years part-time, or run on a distance/modular basis to be completed at the students own pace.

What qualifications do I need to do a nutritional therapy degree/diploma course? 

Entrance requirements differ between institutions.  Some colleges require science subjects such as chemistry and/or biology at A level or Scottish Higher or Irish Leaving Certificate (or equivalent).  If you did not study science at school, you may be able to enter university/college after successfully completing a science access course.

Some colleges do not require science subjects at A level or equivalent, and at each institution, Course Leaders or Admissions tutors will advise you about entry requirements.

It is important to remember that each application will be judged on its own merit.

Where can I take a nutritional therapy degree/diploma course?      

In October 2007, the Nutritional Therapy Council (NTC) is to launch the national register of all those individuals qualified to practise nutritional therapy. In order to join the register, nutritional therapists must have completed training that conforms to the standards set in the NTC Core Curriculum (CC), a document charting the required elements of a Nutritional Therapy course so as to meet the competencies laid down by the National Occupational Standards (NOS). 

The following training providers are full members of the NTC Schools Forum and are working towards accreditation of their courses during 2005-2007.   

• The College of Naturopathic Medicine
• British Institute for Allergy & Environmental Medicine (BAIEM)
• Centre For Nutrition Education and Life Management
• College of Nutrition & Natural Therapy
• College of Natural Nutrition  
• Institute for Optimum Nutrition
• Kevala Centre Nutritional Healing Foundation
• Plaskett Nutritional Medicine College at Thames Valley University 
• Premier Training International Ltd
• Raworth College
• UK College of Nutrition and Health (BCNH)
• Westminster University School of Integrated Health
• LCTA - London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 
• Nutritional Healing Foundation
  

The NTC advises that:

Any prospective student of nutritional therapy wishing to enrol before a course is accredited should enquire of their chosen training institute: (a) is it solvent? (b) how long has it been established? What is its track record? (c) what are the qualifications and experience of its teaching staff? (d) what proportion of the training is clinical practice? (e) when does it's course expect to receive full accreditation? (f) what is the status of its academic qualification: diploma or degree?

As a general guide:

Training to meet the competencies laid down in the National Occupational Standards will require in-depth study of the health sciences.

There are no exemptions from clinical practice for other health professionals.