Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Human nutrition and dietetics is a health profession grounded in the science of how food and nutrients affect the body and in the clinical skills needed to apply that science to real patients and populations. Dietitians are regulated health professionals who assess the nutritional status of individuals, diagnose dietary and nutritional problems, and design and deliver evidence-based interventions to treat conditions ranging from diabetes and kidney disease to eating disorders, malnutrition, and food allergy. They work across the NHS, in community health, in public health nutrition, and in the food industry.

At Glasgow Caledonian you will study the science of nutrition in depth, covering physiology, biochemistry, metabolism, and the scientific evidence that underpins dietary recommendations, alongside the clinical dietetics knowledge and practical skills that professional practice requires. The four-year programme integrates academic study with clinical placements in hospital and community settings, giving you the direct patient contact and supervised practice that the profession demands and that the Health and Care Professions Council requires for registration. You will develop skills in nutritional assessment, dietary analysis, patient communication, and the design and evaluation of dietary interventions across the lifespan and for a wide range of medical conditions.

On graduation you will be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as a dietitian and to work in the NHS or independent practice. Career paths include clinical dietetics in hospitals and community services, public health nutrition, sports and exercise nutrition, the food industry, research, and policy. Many graduates go on to develop specialisms in particular areas such as paediatrics, oncology, renal dietetics, or gastroenterology, and there are opportunities for further postgraduate training and research.