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Applicants should hold a second class honours degree (2.1 or 2.2 in exceptional circumstances e.g. extensive prior clinical experience) or higher in science e.g. biochemistry, food science, human biology, human nutrition, nutritional science, pharm...

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Applicants should hold a second class honours degree (2.1 or 2.2 in exceptional circumstances e.g. extensive prior clinical experience) or higher in science e.g. biochemistry, food science, human biology, human nutrition, nutritional science, pharmacology, physiology, in health sciences e.g. medicine, nursing or a health and social care profession or in sports performance science.

Prior qualifications should include evidence of study of human biochemistry and physiology or other relevant degree discipline from a recognised university.

The pre-requisite to undertake the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics is a MSc/PhD in Nutrition/Nutrition Science such that candidates do not need to complete a dissertation but can practice Dietetics upon qualification.

Good commmunication skills are essential. Candidates may be interviewed.

Two references should be included with the online application, one of which should be an academic reference and one an employment-related reference.

Garda vetting is required, prior to undertaking practice placements.

All students must attend UCD Student Health Services for pre-entry screening and must be compliant with Irish Immunisation Guidelines. All costs associated with health screening and vaccination must be met by the student.
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In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

Expand+Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 110)
Today's clinical nutrition and dietetics experts have an expanding field of career opportunities. For instance, the current rise in life-syle related conditions and disaeases has been identified by internat...

Hide-Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 110)
Today's clinical nutrition and dietetics experts have an expanding field of career opportunities. For instance, the current rise in life-syle related conditions and disaeases has been identified by international and national government agencies and programmes as requiring nutritional interventions for their prevention and management. The expanding older population requires nutritional care to prevent and manage lifestyle-related conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sarcopenia and osteoporosis. The creation of links between nutrition, health and community development provide opportunities for health promotion through nutrition interventions in many community settings, including pre-schools, schools, services for older people and those with disability and mental illness. Within the acute hospital setting, the effective management of chronic and acute medical and surgical conditions and the prevention and treatment of disease-related malnutrition are critical, wherein effective nutritional management is central to reducing the personal and economic costs associated with poor nutrition and health.The importnace of nutrition to optimise sports performance is increasingly recognised with many career opportunities in this area.
The MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics is a full-time programme, designed for graduates who wish to develop expertise in areas ranging from the promotion of nutrition and health throughout the lifespan through to the management of clinical nutrition in community, primary care and acute settings. Moreover, practitioners in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and the other health and social care professions, as well as practitoners in sport and exercise science have a need for evidence-based expertise in nutrition, health promotion and clinical nutrition so that they can manage clients and patients in a manner that permits optimal client/patient outcomes.

At the end of the programme, students will have developed the integrated scientific, clinical, psychological, communication, multidisciplinary team working and professional proficiencies that underpin a career in clinical nutrition and dietetics. The MSc Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics aims to train graduates eligible to apply to the Dietitians Registration Board (CORU) for registration as a dietitian. (UCD is preparing application for Dietitian Registration Board (CORU) registration).

Course Description
This full time programme is designed to be completed over two academic years.

Lectures will normally be held on Mondays - Fridays.

Assessment strategies include continuous assessment, assignments, projects and examinations.

Exit routes from this programme include a Graduate Certificate and a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition. Graduates availing of these exit routes will not be eligible to apply to CORU for registration as a dietitian.

UCD expects that students who register for its programmes are in a position to commit to attending and being available on scheduled programme and assessment dates.

Expand+Graduates with the MSc Clinical Nutrition Dietetics will be able to gain employment in the following sectors and agencies:

Clinical nutrition & dietetics (hospital and community dietetics)

Public health nutrition, government health promotion ag...

Hide-Graduates with the MSc Clinical Nutrition Dietetics will be able to gain employment in the following sectors and agencies:

Clinical nutrition & dietetics (hospital and community dietetics)

Public health nutrition, government health promotion agencies

Clinical nutrition industry (product development, marketing, consumer information)

Sports nutrition

Teaching opportunities (second or third level)
Academic, nutrition and medical research (public and private sectors)

Private practice