Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and dietetics is the science and professional practice of using knowledge about food and nutrients to support human health, prevent disease, and manage conditions through dietary intervention. Dietitians are the only health professionals who are regulated by law to assess, diagnose, and treat dietary and nutritional problems, working in hospitals, community health settings, and beyond to translate public health and scientific research on food, health, and disease into practical guidance that enables people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
At the University of Winchester, this three-year programme prepares you to qualify as a registered dietitian, developing both the scientific foundations and the clinical skills that the profession requires. You will study human physiology, biochemistry, and metabolism alongside the nutritional science that underpins dietary assessment and intervention. You will learn how to work with patients and clients across a wide range of conditions, from diabetes and cardiovascular disease to eating disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, and nutritional support in critical care, developing the clinical reasoning and communication skills that effective dietetic practice demands.
Clinical placements are integral to the programme, giving you the direct patient experience and supervised practice that professional registration requires. You will work alongside dietitians and the wider healthcare team in NHS and community settings, developing the professional competence and confidence of a newly qualified practitioner.
On completing the degree and registering with the Health and Care Professions Council, you will be eligible to practise as a dietitian. Career pathways include NHS hospital and community dietetics, primary care, sports nutrition, public health nutrition, and roles in the food industry, research, and freelance practice. Postgraduate study in nutrition, public health, or a clinical specialism is available for those who wish to develop their expertise.