Overview
Upon successful completion of this course you will be a qualified dietitian able to use your passion for working with people to promote healthy lifestyles, optimise health, manage and prevent diet related diseases.
Dietitians are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems. This course is designed to enable you to use your expertise to promote a healthy lifestyle and offer nutrition advice. It is designed to enable you to translate the latest nutrition science into understandable, practical information about food and provide education and support to enable people to manage their health and treat nutrition-related disease.
Upon successful completion of the course you will have a thorough understanding of the physical and psychological components of nutrition, and importantly how to enable behaviour change, understanding the barriers people face and strategies which can be used to overcome those barriers which prevent successful adoption of healthier lifestyles.
You will also be encouraged to develop the communication and professional skills required to be an effective, evidence-based dietitian capable of improving the health and well-being of the people you work with. This professional course at Coventry University is well-established having provided dietetic education since 1999.
See the facilities available in our brand new Alison Gingell building.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
To ensure an optimised and continual student experience, the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costThis course is accredited by the HCPC and the BDA for the 2021/22 intake. If the accreditations of this course change, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
In addition through completing the Food and Food Production module you will qualify for a Level 2 food safety certificate accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
Health and Care Professions Council
British Dietetics Association (BDA)
Our Facilities
Ambulance
Our facilities include a mock ambulance, which students can use as part of their studies, to help simulate the patient journey. This gives students the opportunity to learn in situations that mirror real life scenarios.
Strength and Conditioning Suite
Our multi-purpose suite is equipped with multiple Olympic lifting platforms, a 20m gait analysis track, an anti-gravity treadmill and even a 3D motion capture system!
SuperLab
The Alison Gingell building contains a state-of-the-art SuperLab, capable of holding up to 270 people at once. The lab's facilities include equipment for microscopy, DNA analysis and forensic testing.
What our graduates say
The course was well structured giving us the time in lectures and seminars to learn and then apply what we had learnt on placement. The lecturers were supportive and feedback from them enabled us to learn and develop.
Course information
This course aims to prepare you for a range of rewarding careers in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings including large, medium and small sized acute hospital settings, community settings, public health, industry, the media, research and Non-Governmental Organisations to name a few. On successful completion of this course, you will also be equipped with the skills to undertake further study both nationally and globally using a problem based learning approach.
This course has been designed following extensive consultation with alumni, local service users, dietitians working in practice and dietetic managers to meet the requirements of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency, the HCPC Standards of Education and Training, and the British Dietetic Association Curriculum Framework.
7th
overall and 2nd for Graduate Prospects for Food Science
Complete University Guide 2020
Course Specification
Download PDF
Modules
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.
Our Food Science courses are ranked 7th by Complete University Guide 2020
In more detail...
Through our innovative approaches to teaching and learning, you have the opportunity to experiment, innovate and experience immersive situations as you learn in a safe, secure and inspiring environment. Simulated real-life scenarios will utilise contemporary, innovative and authentic assessments, which embed service user involvement throughout.
You will have access to excellent support services including welfare services, an academic personal tutor and a placement support tutor to support your development across the course.
Throughout the course you will be encouraged to review and challenge existing approaches to improve services and patient outcomes.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake international experiences including a collaborative online international learning (COIL) project where you can gain an insight into global challenges in public health and the roles of dietitians in other countries.
Optional field trips also offer you the chance to attend international conferences. In recent years, students have been to Poland, Malta and Spain (see additional costs tab).
- Highly qualified academic staff and an experienced practice team who are able to support and challenge you to make a difference in practice. Staff are active and influential members of the profession, for example sitting on committees and boards within the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and other national organisations.
- Innovative and varied assessments offering a range of assessment methods aimed at providing real life skills. Use of creative and innovative teaching approaches with an emphasis on applying the learning to dietetic practice.
- Working collaboratively across multi-professional groups in simulation facilities enhancing professional identity, knowledge and behaviours.
- The use of case study based practical workshops in a specially equipped kitchen for the teaching of nutrition and diet therapy modules.
- Development of large scale catering skills alongside a valid food hygiene certificate during the four-week practical catering training at a well-equipped local catering college in year 1.
- You will have the opportunity to undertake a Food Safety course and will be awarded a Level 2 Food Safety Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Environment Health upon successful completion enabling you to prepare food safely.
- Links with local employers and professional bodies to ensure that the course content and delivery meets current and anticipated future employer needs.
- Four periods of practice education in a range of NHS and non-NHS settings predominantly in the West Midlands region supported by experienced and trained educators.
- The opportunity to conduct a self-directed public health placement allows you to gain experience in diverse settings to enhance your employability.
Case-study based practical kitchen sessions in a purpose-built teaching kitchen, integrating theory with practice at all levels of the course.
Throughout your course you will study the fundamentals of dietetics:
- Human nutrition, public health nutrition and food science
- Public health nutrition including a 2 week public health placement
- Sources and functions of nutrients in health and disease
- Nutritional requirements at all stages of the life-cycle and all population groups
- Biochemistry, human physiology and clinical medicine, being the scientific basis for your therapeutic interventions
- Diet therapy for the treatment and prevention of disease
- Communication skills and the underpinning behavioural science to help individuals and groups make diet and lifestyle change
- Research methods to enable you to undertake your own research and use research.
The course also includes three clinical placements, normally within the West Midlands.
The course also includes three clinical placements, normally within the West Midlands.
Your course will be based on a series of lectures, with associated tutorials, seminars, kitchen practicals, online discussions and simulated health care environments. You will also have a personal tutor who will guide you through your course.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include written coursework/case studies, self-assessment quizzes, objective structured clinical examinations, presentations and posters, formal examinations, and practical projects, group work and development of a clinical portfolio. The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.
- You will be able to become a graduate dietitian, eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC and membership of the British Dietetic Association.
- The course is designed to ensure you will be workplace ready and able to work flexibly within the inter-professional and multi-agency environment of current and future health and social care as well as within diverse settings.
- Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to demonstrate your professional competency and the knowledge, skills and behaviours fundamental to dietetic practice.
- You will develop an understanding of the importance of valuing person-centred practice and the contribution of the service user.
- You will be able to practise autonomously, basing your practice on a critical understanding of the evidence and reflecting on your own professional contribution, acknowledging and responding to your own strengths and aspirations.
In a typical week in first year, you will have approximately 25 contact hours of teaching and this will break down as:
- Small-group teaching: small group work of 4-6 students takes place within larger seminars.
- Medium-group teaching: 13 hours per week typically in groups of 20 or 21 – for laboratory work or seminars each week.
- Large-group teaching: 6 hours of lectures each week.
In addition, you will be expected to spend 21 hours each week studying and revising in your own time.
Throughout the course you will explore international, national and local food and nutrition practices and policies.
Coventry University is committed to developing global graduates. The Faculty provides opportunities for students to apply to travel and gain international experience to broaden their professional development.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we were able to provide a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
What our alumni say...
The course is varied and practical, which really helps to build skills and confidence to prepare you for practice after graduation. The lecturers are friendly and knowledgeable, so you feel supported throughout the course.
Entry Requirements
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
EU student fees
EU nationals and their family members starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
UK field trips
Any mandatory site visits and trips within the United Kingdom.Key material
This can include core textbooks, software and equipment.Laser prints
1,000 A4 sides of black and white laser printing credits per year.Additional costs
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
Becoming a registered dietitian can provide you with a gateway to a range of diverse and exciting career opportunities including: the media, food and pharmaceutical industry, public health, freelance dietetics, private health care and consultancy, sport and leisure industry, research and academia, working for government and non-governmental organisations.
Becoming a registered dietitian can provide you with a gateway to a range of diverse and exciting career opportunities including: the media, food and pharmaceutical industry, public health, freelance dietetics, private health care and consultancy, sport and leisure industry, research and academia, working for government and non-governmental organisations.
Successful completion of this course provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). It is a legal requirement that anyone who wishes to practice using a title protected by the Health Professions Order 2001 is on the HCPC Register. For more information please see the HCPC website.
Where our graduates work
Many of our graduates get their first job as a dietitian working within the public sector, usually in the National Health Service (NHS).
Disclaimer
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 20/21 Contract can be found here. 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.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
Admission to this course is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and a successful interview. Find out about the application process.
