This module is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the scientific foundations underlying the field of dietetics. Throughout this module, you will delve into the intricate relationship between nutrition and human physiology, exploring how nutrients impact cellular mechanisms and gene expression. You will gain in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, with a specific focus on the gastrointestinal system and its role in digestion, absorption, and nutrient metabolism. By studying the science of human nutrition, you will learn about the sources of nutrients, functional foods, and bioactive substances, and their impact on health and disease processes throughout the lifespan. This knowledge will form the basis for developing dietary recommendations and interventions to optimize health outcomes. Through an exploration of anatomy and physiology, you will understand the structure and function of the human body, including major organs, tissues, and body systems. This understanding will provide you with the foundation to comprehend the physiological basis of nutrition-related disorders and understand the role biochemistry plays in human nutrition.

This module is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in clinical medicine and its application to diet therapy. Additionally, students will be introduced to the professional and ethical framework underpinning dietetic practice. Through this module, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of various medical conditions and their relationship to nutrition. You will explore the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic approaches of common diseases, gaining insights into the impact of these conditions on nutritional status and dietary requirements. By integrating clinical knowledge with diet therapy principles, you will learn how to develop evidence-based nutritional interventions for individuals with specific medical conditions. You will explore the role of diet in disease management and prevention and acquire skills to provide personalised dietary recommendations that align with the unique needs of each patient. Throughout the module, you will engage in case studies and practical exercises to enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in the context of clinical medicine. You will also learn to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary healthcare teams, applying your knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive and patient-centred care. This module prepares students for undertaking Practice Based Learning (PBL) B.

This module explores the intricate relationship between food and society, shedding light on the social and behavioural factors that influence our food choices, eating behaviours and overall nutritional well-being. Throughout this module you will delve into the social and cultural dimensions of food. You will develop an understanding of how factors such as social norms, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic influences shape our food preferences, dietary patterns, and access to healthy food options. You will explore the impact of food marketing, food environments, and food policies on individual and population health outcomes. By studying the behavioural aspects of food, you will gain insights into the psychological factors that influence our eating behaviours, including the roles of emotions, habits, and cognitive processes. You will examine theories of behaviour change, learn strategies to promote healthy eating habits, encourage sustainable dietary choices and address disordered eating behaviours. Through case studies and practical kitchen sessions within our Birmingham College of Food, you will develop culinary and critical thinking skills and learn to apply social and behavioural theories to real-world scenarios. You will also explore the importance of effective communication and behaviour change techniques in supporting individuals and communities to make informed and sustainable food choices.

This module adopts a whole systems approach to public health and locates the role of the dietitian within this framework. It is underpinned by the ‘Council of Deans of Health Public Health Content within the Pre-Registration Curricula for Allied Health Professions’ (Council of Deans of Health 2021). You will gain an understanding of the unique skills and expertise that dietitians bring to community-based healthcare settings, and how they collaborate with other healthcare professionals to address public health challenges. By appraising a whole systems approach to public health, you will learn about the social determinants of health, health inequalities, and the impact of these on the health and well-being of populations, and subsequent food choices. You will develop the knowledge and skills needed to assess community health needs; plan, implement and evaluate nutrition related health promotion / public health interventions. As part of this module students will undertake a period of practice placement (PBL A) and will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of the systems underpinning dietetic practice, including the role of nurses and AHP’s within healthcare, food, catering and public health.

This module is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge to conduct rigorous and evidence-based research in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Throughout this module, you will explore various research methodologies and study designs commonly used in nutrition and dietetic research. You will learn how to formulate research questions, design studies, collect and analyse data, and interpret research findings. By studying research methods specific to nutrition and dietetics, you will gain a deep understanding of the unique considerations and challenges in conducting research in this field. You will explore topics such as dietary assessment methods, intervention design, data analysis techniques, and ethical considerations in human research. Through a problem-based learning approach, you will have the opportunity to apply your learning and develop research proposals, honing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You will also learn how to effectively communicate and disseminate research findings through scientific writing and presentations.

This comprehensive module explores the intersection of clinical medicine and diet therapy, covering a wide range of specialised topics to equip you with advanced knowledge and skills in providing evidence-based dietetic care. Throughout this module, you will delve into critical care and burns, renal disorders, liver diseases, palliative care, pancreatic conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, multiple and complex allergies, withdrawal of feeds, ethical decision-making, clinical reasoning, reflection, multidisciplinary team working, advocate, and leadership. You will gain in-depth knowledge of each topic, including the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic interventions related to nutrition. You will learn how to assess nutritional needs, design specialised diets, and implement tailored dietetic interventions to optimise patient outcomes. You will further develop and enhance your knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios and will enrich your clinical reasoning skills, demonstrate effective communication strategies within multidisciplinary teams, and foster strong advocacy and leadership skills. As this module prepares students for undertaking the final Practice Based Learning (PBL) C there is a strong emphasis upon the ethical dilemmas faced by the registered dietitian. Students will be supported through simulation to consolidate their professional and practical skills as a future dietitian.

This module focuses on developing your leadership skills, enhancing your understanding of service improvement methodologies, and exploring sustainability principles within the field of dietetics. Through this module, you will gain advanced knowledge and practical skills in leadership, enabling you to be equipped to effectively lead teams and drive positive change in dietetic practice. You will also build upon knowledge gained in the module ‘Evidence based Practice and Research’ module, including service improvement approaches and tools. This will support you in identifying areas for improvement and implement evidence-based strategies to enhance service delivery and outcomes in dietetics. Furthermore, this module emphasizes the importance of sustainability in dietetics, equipping you with the knowledge to promote environmentally conscious practices and contribute to sustainable healthcare systems. You will explore sustainability principles and strategies to integrate them into your dietetics practice, considering the long-term impact on health, society, and the environment. By the end of this module, you will be equipped with the necessary leadership competencies, service improvement methodologies, and sustainability principles to undertake an independent research project of your choice and be well positioned to be a change agent working within the four pillars of dietetic practice (BDA 2021).

This module focuses on the unique aspects of providing specialised dietetic care to infants, children, and adolescents. Throughout this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of paediatric nutrition, growth and development, and the management of various paediatric conditions. You will explore topics such as infant feeding, childhood obesity, food allergies, feeding difficulties, and nutritional considerations for specific age groups. By studying paediatrics in dietetics, you will develop the skills to assess the nutritional needs of children and address common challenges in paediatric nutrition. You will also learn how to collaborate effectively with families, multiprofessional teams, and community resources to optimize the nutritional well-being of paediatric patients. Through simulation and practical exercises, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios, honing your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. You will also learn to navigate ethical consideration.

This module provides a platform from which you as the pre-registration dietetic student can begin to develop a solid foundation for your future career and continual professional development. The scope of the module is informed by recommendations from ‘Future Dietitian 2025’ (Hickson 2025); ‘Post Registration Professional Development Framework’ (BDA 2021) and the ‘Allied Health Professions (AHP) Educator Career Framework’ (Council of Deans of Health 2023). As this module is within the final third of the MSc Dietetics programme you will reflect upon your academic and practice-based learning over the duration of the course and will use these reflections to undertake a ‘skills scan’ of your current strengths and opportunities for further learning and development. You will also be introduced to the support provided by NHS England in terms of Pre-preceptorship (a period of preparation for AHP’s to support your transition towards employment as a registered dietitian). Drawing upon these NHSE resources you will develop your professional development plan for your ‘portfolio career’, which will be underpinned by the four pillars of practice embedded in the BDA (The Association of UK Dietitians) Post Registration Professional Development Framework (BDA 2021).

This is an assessment only module (synoptic assessment) which reinforces and assesses learning from the modules ‘Social and Behavioural Aspects of Food / ‘Clinical Dietetics: The Person-Centred Dietitian.’