Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and dietetics is the science of food and its relationship to human health. Dietitians are the only regulated health professionals qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat dietary and nutritional problems, working with individuals and communities to prevent and manage conditions ranging from diabetes and heart disease to eating disorders and malnutrition. The discipline draws on biochemistry, physiology, and the behavioural sciences to understand how what we eat affects our bodies and minds, and how dietary change can improve health outcomes at both the individual and population level.
At Roehampton University, this programme includes a foundation year, providing a supported route into the degree for students who need to build their scientific foundations before entering the main programme. A sandwich year and work placement are built into the course, giving you structured clinical and professional experience alongside your academic studies. This practical element is central to the training of dietitians, who must develop both scientific knowledge and the communication and counselling skills needed to support patients and clients effectively.
You will study the science of nutrition, clinical dietetics, public health nutrition, and the evidence base for dietary interventions, learning to assess nutritional needs, develop individualised plans, and evaluate outcomes. The programme is accredited, meaning that successful completion supports your route to professional registration.
Graduates go on to work as dietitians in the NHS, in primary care, in community health settings, and in private practice. Many specialise in areas such as paediatric dietetics, oncology nutrition, sports nutrition, or public health. Careers in the food industry, research, and health policy are also available to graduates with a strong nutritional science foundation.
Postgraduate study in nutrition, dietetics, or public health is another route for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or pursue research.