Dietetics and Leadership MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
lecturer showing students a food chart

Qualify as a dietitian in just two years with this innovative blended learning degree leading to eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Year of entry

2024-25

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

2 years full-time

Course code

HLST269

Start date

January 2025

How to apply
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Course overview

Blended learning allows you to access study materials and attend online classes from home or from the workplace. You will be required to come to Coventry University campus on some occasions throughout the course in order to use our simulation and teaching facilities4.

  • Put theory into practice with full-time practice-based placements2 as well as simulation and scenario-based learning to create an interactive and inspirational learning experience.
  • All eligible students on this course may qualify for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs6.
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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

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Top 5 UK Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2024

Why you should study this course

  • The course is delivered using an enquiry-based learning approach which allows you to develop an ethical, flexible and creative approach to problem-solving in dietetics. At the same time you will aim to develop a wide range of leadership and academic skills to meet the expanding role and diverse career pathways of dietitians within the contemporary healthcare setting.
  • Simulation allows the practical development of core knowledge, skills and behaviours. This provides you with an authentic learning experience using specialist resources including our hospital wards and therapy suites in a safe and supportive environment. 
  • Leadership skills are embedded throughout the course, enabling you to inspire and guide others towards building and achieving a shared vision. This vision aims to help address a range of diet-related conditions and optimise service users’ health and wellbeing through diet and lifestyle change.
  • Develop culinary skills at our campus-based kitchens and apply theory of dietary recommendations to practice through menu planning, recipe adaptation, and an exploration of cultural and therapeutic foods.
  • Additional qualifications in food hygiene (Level 2 food safety certificate accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health) and leadership (Level 7 certificate in strategic management and leadership practice awarded by the Chartered Management Institute) are included in the course at no extra cost.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Health and Care Professions Council logo

Health and Care Professions Council

This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council for the 2023/24 intake.

British Dietetic Association logo

British Dietetic Association (BDA)

This course is accredited by the British Dietetic Association (BDA) for the 2023/24 intake.

What you'll study

You will gain a thorough understanding of the scientific knowledge relating to nutrition, food, and diet therapy which underpins the management of health, wellness, wellbeing, and disease. You will examine the approaches that have positive effects on behaviour and enable people to improve their health through diet and lifestyle. You will undertake placements2,5 in a range of settings where dietitians work, including clinical and, where available, non-clinical settings such as the public health sector. This is an approach which the British Dietetic Association recognises is valuable to the profession.

You must pass all modules accumulating 180 credits to be awarded the MSc in Dietetics and Leadership and to be eligible to apply for HCPC registration.

During the first year of the course, you will study the fundamentals of dietetics giving you a firm foundation of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours relevant to the profession which will be developed further in year two. You will use simulation activities and our innovative virtual placement to help prepare you for and undertake practice-based placements2,5. These practice-based placements are mandatory and all practice-based placement capabilities must be passed in order to be eligible to apply to register as a dietitian with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Modules

  • This module aims to enable you to apply scientific knowledge and communication techniques to the delivery of dietetic interventions. You will use an evidenced-based approach to the treatment of disease and the promotion of wellbeing for individuals, groups and populations. You will be taught the pathophysiology relating to nutrition, diet therapy and food culture, recipe adaptation and cooking skills in relation to dietetic interventions. The principles of leadership will be embedded throughout the module by the development of personal qualities and team and networking capabilities.

    Compulsory

  • Throughout this module you will develop and integrate themes of professionalism, leadership and ethical practice pertaining to dietetics. You will explore the principles of the ethical management of patients including sustainability and inclusivity. You will also explore current issues in dietetic professional practice both nationally and globally including an examination of leadership and diversity within the profession. You will consider the concept of emotional intelligence through the lens of leadership, teamwork and power.

    Compulsory

  • You will aim to develop a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the science of human nutrition and metabolism across the lifecycle. This will be achieved by exploring and considering the role of individual nutrients and the diet as a whole in the maintenance of good health as well as by evaluating the methods of dietary assessment. You will also consider the concepts of nutrient and dietary adequacy across different stages of the lifecycle which will enable you to evaluate dietary intake. National and global nutrient and/or dietary guidelines will be discussed and applied to the different stages of the lifecycle which will enable you to assess the adequacy of dietary intake based on guidelines.

    Compulsory

  • In this module you will be introduced to the importance of communication in healthcare practice. You will examine how dietitians use different communication strategies and you will be given an opportunity to observe and develop your own communication skills. If you are new to healthcare settings you will develop an awareness of how to engage in successful communication opportunities.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to support you in the acquisition of knowledge, skills and behaviours to support dietetic practice. You will be taught principles of dietetics assessment, and you will have an opportunity to consolidate this learning with simulation. Dietary management of conditions likely to be encountered on practice placement will be discussed and you will learn the application of behaviour change theory. Reflection will be used to support the development of your communication and professional skills and attributes. You will undertake the virtual Placement A1 within the module allowing you to apply your learning in a simulated dietetic environment.

    Compulsory

  • In this module, you will further develop your communication skills and ability to reflect on your practice. You will continue to use behaviour change theory and the technique of motivational interviewing when facilitating dietary interventions in more complex scenarios. You will understand the importance of professionalism and the skills and attributes required by a dietitian to ensure safe and effective practice. There will be an emphasis on the importance of allied health professional leadership being a vital component in shaping patient care and future health systems. As part of this module you will undertake Placement A2 which is a two-week placement 2,5 in a setting which will allow you to explore the important role of leadership for the dietetic profession. The placement may also be tailored to your career aspirations and interests.

     

    Compulsory

  • This module includes full-time virtual and simulated placement experiences and a 10-week practice-based placement2,5. The practice-based placement is mandatory and all practice-based placement capabilities must be passed in order to be eligible to apply to register as a dietitian with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 

    Compulsory

Modules

  • During this module you will explore relevant aspects of research methodologies and designs for dietetic practice to enable you to plan for and apply research to relevant settings. You will cover the principles and strategies for evidence-informed practice to enable you to apply and critique a wide range of sources of evidence to inform dietetic reasoning and decision-making.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with a framework of knowledge and understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people in a strategically diverse and inclusive way. You will explore the influence and impact of leadership theories, culture, wellbeing, and approaches to developing better equality, diversity and inclusion strategies and practices that can be used creatively within a leadership role in different types of organisational scenarios. You will reflect on your personal learning and development needs and how you work with others, from an ethical and professional standpoint. Students who successfully complete this module will be awarded Foundation Chartered Manager status and be able to use the designation ‘fCMgr’ after their name.

    Compulsory

  • This module includes a full-time 12-week practice-based placement in a setting where registered dietitians work2,5. Placement C aims to enable you to build on the confidence, knowledge and skills developed through Placement B in order to become competent in translating theory into practice, communicating effectively with service users and healthcare professionals, managing time and workload efficiently, and demonstrating professionalism. Upon successful completion of Placement C you are expected to competently and independently work at the level of a newly qualified registered dietitian.

    Compulsory

  • In this module you will undertake an in-depth individual study or service improvement project in area of interest which is relevant to your practice. The project will be supervised but independently undertaken, enabling you to apply the leadership skills required for project management. Within the module you will be expected to demonstrate your understanding of the research process or service improvement process including ethical, theoretical and methodological issues associated with your particular subject. Ethical approval must be obtained before any research is conducted.

    Compulsory

All placement modules must be passed in order to be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC.

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

The course will be delivered utilising a blended learning approach which gives you the flexibility to access learning at home or at the workplace, as well as being able to take advantage of the simulation and teaching facilities that Coventry University has to offer.

You will learn though a combination of online lessons, discussions and simulation activity and some on-campus teaching at Coventry University for practical sessions.

You will be part of a supportive community of staff and fellow students who interact extensively to ensure you develop the communication and collaboration skills required in the profession.

You will be able to use our campus-based kitchens to apply the theory of dietary recommendations and dietary modification to practice.

Teaching contact hours

The amount of time you will spend learning will differ in each semester. You will mostly learn online with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching but will be required to come to Coventry University campus at times during the course. In year one you will typically have around 12 hours contact time per week, which will decrease in year two as you become a more autonomous learner. Practice-based placements are full-time and will normally be Monday to Friday lasting approximately 35 hours per week2,5.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

The assessments are designed to reflect the work you will undertake as a dietitian, so in addition to academic assignments you will also undertake presentations, develop menus and be assessed on your practical dietetic skills.

In practice, dietitians are required to demonstrate a high level of clinical reasoning, communication, service development and leadership skills. They are also required to articulate these decisions in a variety of formats such as written reports, presentations, and digital media. The assessment strategy is therefore designed to reflect these demands.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

You may have the opportunity to take part in Collaborative Online International Learning activities where you will work with students from other universities to collectively explore and evaluate nutrition and dietetic-related problems2. You may be able to explore and discuss how students in other countries approach issues differently, and perhaps be able to apply some of these techniques to your own practice. You may be able to examine cuisines, lifestyles, values, and behaviours from different cultures as part of the course to enrich your critical and evaluative dietetic reasoning and skills as well as to enhance your critical understanding of dietetic practice.

This innovative course has been designed to help learners achieve their aspirations of becoming a dietitian and to deal with the dynamic demands within the profession. This course has been structured around an enquiry-based learning approach to allow for an authentic learning experience and to ensure leadership skills and qualities are embedded throughout. During the course, critical thinking and reflection are encouraged in order to develop not only your dietetic practice as an autonomous healthcare practitioner but also the wider profession and to consider the role of leadership and professionalism within dietetics.

Robert Davies (interim Course Director) 2021
lecturer showing students a food chart in front of plates of fruit and vegetables

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold an honours degree (2:2 or above) in a health or science-related subject. You should also have GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above (or the equivalent).

Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. Each application will be considered on its merits and the final decision will be made by the Course Director.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

You will have access to a range of facilities4 including campus-based kitchens and the healthcare simulation building.

SuperLab

Alison Gingell Building

Our state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building features mock hospital wards built to NHS standards, an operating theatre, critical care settings and other real-life nursing environments.

community houses

Community houses

Learn how to work with patients outside of a hospital setting in our simulated, two full-size community homes, specifically built for teaching.


specialist equipment

Specialist equipment

Specialist industry-standard facilities include analytical equipment such as Gas Chromatography and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography machines. You will also have access to facilities for texture profile analysis of food and drink.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course you will meet the requirements to apply to the HCPC for registration as a dietitian and apply for roles working in the profession in a variety of settings including the health service.

Once registered with the HCPC, you will be well prepared to apply for roles as a dietitian either within the health service or privately. You could also consider working in industry or in media.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

    5Placements

    Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    6NHS payment

    The rules may be subject to review by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the future and as a result may change. Please, therefore, check the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website for up-to-date information before applying.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2023/2024 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2024/25 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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