Course overview
They assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems, helping people change their behaviours to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
During this apprenticeship, the learner is eligible for student membership of the British Dietetic Association. On completion of the course, the learner is awarded the BSc (Hons) Dietetics (Apprenticeship). They are then eligible for Health and Care Professions Council registration to practice as a dietitian, and full membership of the British Dietetic Association.
Please note, we can only respond to enquiries from employers, or individuals with agreement from their employer to undertake an apprenticeship.
* Subject to University approval
Course details
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
An Introduction to Professional Practice
Learn the core skills, values and behaviours that underpin health and social care and the professional standards you must follow from regulators and professional bodies.
Health and Wellbeing in Professional Practice
You consider the role of allied health professionals within the context of increasingly unhealthy lifestyles and growing numbers of people with long term conditions. Learn about social, psychological, physical, cultural and environmental health models and how these influence the quality of care and individuals’ participation.
Develop your understanding of nutritional requirements through the life cycle. Consider deficiency and toxicity as well as the role, function and metabolism of nutritive and non-nutritive components in the diet. You also complete a part-time 75-hour experiential practice placement.
Develop your knowledge and understanding of the key principles of biochemistry including cell structure, chemical bonding and reactions, and biological pathways.
Focus on promoting health in dietetic practice by looking at policy, populations, behaviour change, an obesogenic environment and health inequalities. Explore nutritional considerations in promoting health and look at the ways that other lifestyle factors can challenge behaviour change.
Structure and Function for Allied Health Professions
Develop your knowledge and understanding of normal structural and functional anatomy and physiology.
Year 2 core modules
This module normally runs over two blocks (Semester 1 and 2) during year 2 of the BSc (Hons) Dietetics (Apprenticeship) course. In this 375-hour placement, you apply and further develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours from the first year of the course to a variety of practice settings. You work with a range of service users of all ages, with different dietary and nutritional needs.
Develop your knowledge of food science and systems, focusing on production and processing. Explore institutional catering systems and grow your skills in nutritional analysis, making recommendations for those following therapeutic diets.
Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology
Develop your knowledge of genetics, immunology and microbiology in the context of dietetics.
Nutrition and Dietetic Practice 1
Study the role of dietetics and the wider role of promoting health and preventing disease. You also learn how to assess, diagnose, treat, monitor and evaluate the dietetic’s management of common disorders of the major body systems.
Nutrition and Dietetic Practice 2
Develop your understanding of the dietician’s role in managing individuals with complex needs. Apply and justify your knowledge of dietary interventions for promoting health, wellbeing and preventing and treating disease.
Pharmacology for Dietetic Practice
Explore the nature of drugs as chemicals which interact with cellular mechanisms at molecular, systemic and behavioural level.
Year 3 core modules
You complete a 187.5-hour placement, negotiating the area for this final practice-based learning experience with your employer. Although you have fully completed your placement competencies before you start this module, you remain under the supervision of registered dietitians and practice educators until Health and Care Professions Council registration.
You complete a 375-hour placement, applying and developing knowledge, skills and behaviours learnt in the first and second years of the course and on Dietetic Placement B. You work with users of all ages, with a range of dietary and nutritional needs and related conditions.
Enhancing Employability, Leadership and Quality Improvement for the Future Ready Physiotherapist
You gain knowledge and understanding of healthcare policy, statutory and professional policy and explore the impact of these policies with respect to patient care, professional practice, and service delivery.
Contribute to audits, service evaluations or research projects led by academic and research staff within the academic School, collaborating with placement partners where applicable. Implement, analyse and disseminate a specific aspect of or full audit, service evaluation or research.
Develop an understanding of audit, service evaluation, systematic review and research methodologies. Learn about the importance of research ethics and governance.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
The apprentice learns through a range of diverse learning and teaching methods including keynote lectures, seminars, small group work as well as practical skills sessions. They are given constructive feedback and encouraged to engage in self-directed learning throughout their course. They complete at least 1,000 hours of clinical practice, with clinical placements enabling them to assess and treat clients with varied clinical conditions in a range of settings.
They have academic study one day a week. They attend in-person sessions (campus days) and online sessions (distance learning days) throughout the degree. The format alternates weekly.
How you are assessed
The apprentice demonstrates their learning through a variety of authentic assessments throughout the course including essays, academic poster presentations, case review, exams and practice-based competencies evidenced by an electronic portfolio.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
To be accepted on to a degree apprenticeship course you must have support from your employer and meet the course entry requirements.
The apprentice must
- be employed as a dietetic apprentice, working a minimum of 30 hours weekly
- have three A-levels (including biology or human biology) or equivalent
- hold Level 2 qualifications in English and maths before starting their apprenticeship. Find out more.
- have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and occupational health check
- demonstrate the appropriate values and attitudes for the course through an interview with the employer and the University.
The apprentice may be required to undertake an occupational health and/or work-based risk assessment check. If they have a disability, specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism spectrum condition, sensory impairment or medical condition that could require reasonable adjustments within learning areas, this must be declared as part of the enrolment process. If they are unsure, contact the relevant admissions or course tutor for guidance.
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
The apprentice has employment opportunities within the NHS, private sector or tertiary sector – in hospitals, GP surgeries, schools, industry and in the community. They may also consider a career in clinical research or teaching, in the UK or overseas.
Work placement
The apprentice develops their learning further through a minimum of 1,000 practice-based learning hours which they can undertake flexibly. You, as the employer hosts or finds appropriate placements in discussion with the University, and the apprentice is supervised by experienced practice educators with support from tutors.
