This course trains you to work as a dietitian in the hospital and community health sector, as well as private practice and industry.

You will learn to advise clients on wellbeing, health management issues and sports nutrition.

Community placement allows you to learn the nutritional needs of diverse community groups. You can access resources at Sunshine Hospital's new Teaching and Research Centre at Sunshine Hospital, learning from some of Melbourne's best health care professionals.

You can undertake clinical sports nutrition placement with our partners and collaborators, as part of the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL). This could include working with the Western Bulldogs Football Club, Institutes/Academies of Sport and other elite sport organisations.

• Location:
  St Albans
• Other locations:
  In the first year, this course will only be offered face-to-face.Students are required to undertake approximately 32 weeks of full-time professional placement experience in the final year of the Masters course
• College:
  College of Health and Biomedicine
• Duration:
  2 years
• Intake:
  February
• Course code:
  SMDN
• CRICOS:
  071993K
• Fees:
  A$9975.00 per semester
• This information is for international students.
  Click here to see information for Australian residents

How to apply

Nutrition, food and health

As a Dietitian you can be employed in:

• patient care in the hospital, community and public health system
• management of service and consultation with the food industry
• consultancy and private practice
• research and teaching

The University has commenced the accreditation process with the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), including submission of an accreditation review report to DAA. A graduate of an accredited program is eligible to become a DAA member with dietetic qualifications, and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian Program. The University aims to achieve accreditation prior to graduation of the first cohort of students. Full details of the stages in the DAA accreditation process are available. All enquiries regarding the progress of the program accreditation review should be directed to the course coordinator.

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

The Master of Science in Dietetics is a two year course at Victoria University that will equip graduates with the ability to:

1. critically analyse and manage the nutritional needs of individuals with respect to their medical, health, wellbeing and specialised nutritional issues
2. develop patient management strategies to manage the nutritional needs of clients in the dietetics industry, including hospital, food service, community and public health sectors and also in private practice
3. assess the nutritional status of a client and provide appropriate advice taking into account cultural, social, physical, socio-economic, and psychological aspects
4. utilise a range of communication skills necessary to interact with other health care and related industry providers to maintain inter-professional co-operation, respect and management of a client
5. exercise ethical and professional practice, both individually and as a member of a health team, that demonstrates a duty of care to the client,
6. critically analyse and perform research in nutrition-related areas and communicate this verbally and in written forms to a range of audiences including colleagues, other health professionals and the community
7. reflect on the students’ own learning and strategies for continuing professional development as a member of the dietetics profession

The course is offered over 2 years (4 semesters) on a full time basis. The final year of the course is spread of approximately 43 weeks of the year, which includes 36 weeks of placements in hospital, community/population health, private practice, food service and research as well as additional lecture/tutorial/workshops. To qualify for the award of MSc in Dietetics a total of 192 credit points need to be completed.

• Nutritional Assessment and Communication for Dietitians

  Unit code

  HDM5101

  Credits

  12

• Food Service and Food Science

  Unit code

  HDM5112

  Credits

  12

• Medical Nutrition Management 1

  Unit code

  HDM5113

  Credits

  12

• Population Health in Diverse Communities

  Unit code

  HDM5106

  Credits

  12

• Medical Nutrition Management 2

  Unit code

  HDM5211

  Credits

  12

• Chronic Disease Management

  Unit code

  HDM5207

  Credits

  12

• Research Planning and Statistics

  Unit code

  HDM5205

  Credits

  12

• Food Service and Management

  Unit code

  HDM5206

  Credits

  12

With the exception of HDM6104 and HDM6204 Year 6 units are offered in both Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students enrol in a total of 48 credit points in each semester but are required to complete all individual units offered over the year.

• Individual Case Management Placement

  Unit code

  HDM6111

  Credits

  24

• Community and Public Health Nutrition Placement

  Unit code

  HDM6114

  Credits

  12

• Community Education Placement

  Unit code

  HDM6105

  Credits

  12

• Food Service Management for Dietitians

  Unit code

  HDM6103

  Credits

  12

• Professional Management and Practice

  Unit code

  HDM6206

  Credits

  12

• Nutrition Research Project 1

  Unit code

  HDM6104

  Credits

  12

With the exception of HDM6104 and HDM6204 Year 6 units are offered in both Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students enrol in a total of 48 credit points in each semester but are required to complete all individual units offered over the year.

• Individual Case Management Placement

  Unit code

  HDM6111

  Credits

  24

• Community and Public Health Nutrition Placement

  Unit code

  HDM6114

  Credits

  12

• Community Education Placement

  Unit code

  HDM6105

  Credits

  12

• Food Service Management for Dietitians

  Unit code

  HDM6103

  Credits

  12

• Professional Management and Practice

  Unit code

  HDM6206

  Credits

  12

• Nutrition Research Project 2

  Unit code

  HDM6204

  Credits

  12

• International:

  In addition to all other requirements International students who have an IELTS score of 7 across all bands or equivalent, may apply for entry into the course providing they have met the prerequisites for admission.

• Other:

  Applicants must normally:

  • hold an approved degree in some area of the biosciences, or an equivalent qualification, where fifty per cent of each of the first and second years of the degree are composed of bioscience, chemistry, physiology and biochemistry content, including a minimum 15% of a full-year load each of biochemistry and physiology, and
  • have successfully undertaken and passed approved university-level studies in biochemistry and human physiology to at least Second Year level, and
  • have successfully undertaken and passed two approved university-level studies in the area of human nutrition

  Applicants must submit with their application a statement outlining their interest in the course and the Dietetic profession, and evidence of any relevant employment and educational experience. Admission is competitive, with only a limited number of student places per year. As such applicants will be ranked for admission on the basis of a selection score which is a combination of academic merit (70%) and assessment of their statement of interest and experience (30%). Interviews of applicants may be conducted to assist in the ranking process.

  Students are required to have police and working with Children checks, and have current immunisation status as specified by Australian Government Health Department for hospital staff.

Special admission requirements

Students are required to have police and working with Children checks, and have current immunisation status as specified by Australian Government Health Department for hospital staff.

English language requirements

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.