How are genetics, physiology and immunology related to dietetics? How do chronic diseases change over the life course? What impact does ageing and poverty have on future health care?
Through this two-year course, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge to work as a dietitian, delivering therapeutic nutrition in both public and private sector organisations.
You’ll study the nutrition and health of the population, exploring topics from lifespan nutrition to diet therapy and human metabolism to common chronic diseases, and their management, and how these change over the life course. You’ll also have sessions in our laboratories where you’ll complete practical evaluations.
You’ll combine theory and practical sessions so that, when you graduate, you’re prepared to practise as a dietitian across health and food sectors.
You’ll attend professional development seminars to support you in your preparat...
2 years full-time
Our MSc (Pre-Registration) Dietetics course aims to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the relationships between diet, disease and health.
It’s designed to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence, so that you can develop a career as a professional dietician in both the health and food sectors.
You’ll have days with a mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions so that you develop technical skills as well as academic knowledge of food science.
You’ll consider the impact of genetics, physiology and anatomy, pharmacology and immunology, and how these specialities are related to dietetics.
You’ll combine the knowledge gained in nutritional epidemiology and apply it to real life issues that are affecting populations both in the UK and worldwide. This helps to develop the communication and skills you’ll need to promote a healthy nutrition.
In other modules, you’ll consider professional aspects of being a dietitian across sectors including government, health and industry and employment contracts.
Our academic team at Manchester Met is made up of a range of experts including registered nutritionists, food scientists and dietitians. Many conduct research projects in their area of obesity, diabetes and ageing-related diseases and you may have the opportunity to volunteer to help in such projects.
Recent research projects include looking at diet interventions such as the role of 5:2 diet studies in managing acute disease outcomes, such as obesity and diabetes, and assessing diet quality among young people (29-39 year old) in Greece and in the UK using Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and Diet Quality Index-International (DQi-I). We also work with the community, and we are currently leading on a community COPD rehabilitation programme.
Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
In line with British Dietetic Association requirements, you will normally be expected to have an honours degree in a relevant subject at 2:1 or above or equivalent, and evidence of academic study in the five years prior to application. Relevant subject areas include biological sciences, physiology, biochemistry, chemistry and nutrition. You must meet requirements for NHS values-based assessment.
You will be required to have completed a minimum of 15 credits at level 4 or above in physiology, a minimum of 20 credits at level 4 or above in biochemistry and a minimum of 15 credits at level 4 or above in a relevant science subject such as genetics, immunology or pharmacology.
Selection of applicants will be based on academic achievement, personal statement, relevant work experience and the ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion values in healthcare.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also be able to communicate in English to a standard equivalent to level 7 of the International English Language Testing system (IELTS), with no element below 6.5. This is a requirement of the Standards of Proficiency for dietitians (HCPC, 2013).
A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this programme. In addition, students who have resided outside the UK will be required to provide evidence of a satisfactory overseas police check. Instructions on how to complete these checks will be provided once you hold a firm offer for this course.
Satisfactory occupational health clearance is also required to participate in this course. Pending Government consultation, it is not currently clear if this will include a requirement for students deployed on placement in CQC regulated activities in England to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Our placement providers and future employers may require this. Therefore, if you are considering this course, we would strongly advise you to take your covid-19 vaccines when due.
Full-time fee: £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval). Fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% per academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Inflationary increases will be calculated by reference to RPIx (RPIx is a measure of inflation in the UK). Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.
Full-time fee: £22,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. For courses that offer a placement year option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,907 (subject to Parliamentary approval). For courses that offer a study year abroad option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,430 (subject to Parliamentary approval). Placement Year fees and study abroad fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% each academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.
Optional estimate: £37.50
Student membership of the British Dietetic Association (BDA), which is the regulatory body for Dietitians.
Compulsory estimate: £2-15
Travel expenses incurred by learners during the practice-based learning. These will be dependent on the distances travelled. All students will be eligible to apply for student support.
You’ll be supplied with 2 sets of uniform for the practice-based learning. Should you require any more due to wear and tear, change in size etc, these can be purchased directly from the supplier.
PENG pocket guide for dietitians (£43-£48).
Optional estimate: £400
All books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, you may choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop and up to £100 each year for books and printing.
From nutrition-related roles within government organisations to working in the media; from food industry to research and development, there’s a variety of career paths you could take as a dietitian.
You may decide to work in a healthcare setting or perhaps work in sport sector or even develop your career within health education. Becoming a dietitian can open up a variety of different careers to you.
Please contact our course enquiries team.
Applications to this course for should be submitted via UCAS.
As this course is pre-registration, you'll find it listed in Undergraduate courses on UCAS, not Postgraduate.
UCAS code: DIET
Manchester Metropolitan University institution code: M40
We expect to open for applications in early February 2025, for January 2026 entry.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.