Why you should study a Nutrition and Dietetics degree at Wrexham University

Nutrition and Dietetics is a great field to get into if you are wanting to expand on your interest in food, whilst also helping people of all ages improve their physical and mental health. 

You may be exploring your options for university, or you may be wanting to know more about our Nutrition and Dietetics degree. In either case, we have put together some answers to your questions about Nutrition and Dietetics. Read on to learn more about the subject, what the potential job prospects are, and why you should study at Wrexham.  

What is Nutrition and Dietetics and what will I be studying? 

The study of Nutrition and Dietetics focuses on everything relating to food and its effect on our health and wellbeing. In your first year at Wrexham, you’ll be introduced to food and nutrition, anatomy, physiology, introduction to dietetic practice, and biochemistry. Students will also learn the basic assessment of a patient across core areas in which dietitians work, along with communication skills and professional practice. 

Your second year builds on your knowledge to move towards management in core areas of nutrition and dietetics, including complex conditions, research, and evidence-based practice. The final year of this degree culminates in a dissertation research project.  

Across the three years there are placements, where you will work with NHS Wales services across the whole of North Wales. You’ll be fully supported throughout your placements by your Placement facilitators and by the end of your degree, you will reach a point of proficiency required for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).  

What makes the Wrexham Nutrition and Dietetics degree different?  

There are a number of fully funded places for our students on this course, provided you commit to working in Wales for 2 years post completion of your degree. Based at our Wrexham campus, we have brand new facilities where you will attend practical workshops, develop culinary skills, and work with food technologies. Our new healthcare simulation centre provides a unique opportunity for you to experience professional life before going on your placements, as well as access collaborative teaching sessions with other Allied Health Profession (AHP) students.  

What are the benefits of studying Nutrition and Dietetics? 

This degree will help you merge your interest in nutrition and science with your studies, to learn more about how to help people with the skills you attain throughout your degree. You will pick up best practices to bring forward into your working life as you will be taught by skilled staff who are registered Dietitians with specialist clinical interests. Another benefit is that you will engage in a forward-thinking industry as you learn to apply new and innovative technologies in food, nutrition and health sectors.  
The degree will improve your communication and problem-solving skills as professionalism lies at the heart of our teaching. Within your placements you can put these skills into practice, working with a wide range of people, including children and adults, to deliver dietary interventions and nutritional therapies. This will help you understand the science of nutrients and their effects, along with the psychological factors that influence nutrition. 

How about getting a job after my degree? 

Whilst knowledge expansion is an important aspect of studying Nutrition and Dietetics, an additional benefit to consider is the contributions you could make to the lives of people needing nutritional advice, as you improve their physical and mental health through your work.  

Students that go through the HEIW NHS Bursary have a requirement to work in Wales for the first two years of their career as a registered Dietitian. Full Careers support for graduates is there for you to access for life, and graduates will be eligible to apply for initial registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and for full membership of the British Dietetic Association (BDA). 
Nutrition and Dietetics degree graduates can work in a wide range of specialist areas including: 
 

• Diabetes 
• Home enteral tube feeding 
• Gastroenterology
• Weight management
• Mental health
• Stroke
• Surgery
• Paediatrics 

There are a lot of opportunities for you to spark change as a Nutrition and Dietetics graduate of Wrexham University and we are here to support you in starting your future and finding the right role after university. 

Make sure to check out our Nutrition and Dietetics degree to find out more about the course and how you can apply.   

Further information about what dietitians do can be found at the British Dietetic Association Website.