Bachelor of Nutritional Science/Master of Dietetics

VU course code: HCND | Level of study: Undergraduate

ATAR

Entry requirements

Duration

4.5 years full time

Delivery mode

In person

Location

Footscray Park

Applications closed

Bachelor of Nutritional Science/Master of Dietetics student with healthy food

Overview

Become a dietitian working to improve the health of individuals and communities, with a Bachelor of Nutritional Science/Master of Dietetics from Victoria University.

Our 4.5-year dual degree will give you the food-related knowledge and clinical skills needed to work in private practice, care settings and public programs.

Through coursework and hands-on experience in professional settings, you will become adept at delivering strategies that help people and populations make better food choices to prevent and manage disease and illness.

You will graduate from the Bachelor of Nutritional Science/Master of Dietetics with highly developed knowledge to inform your practice, in these complementary, interacting areas:

human biosciences
food and nutrition science
nutrition and diet in health and disease
food service management for vulnerable populations.

Your health-science knowledge will be underpinned by well-honed interpersonal skills that allow you to translate the scientific research on nutrition, health and disease into practical advice for clients and colleagues.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate safe, effective and professional practice in line with the Dietetic National Competency Standards, and within ethical and legal frameworks including the Dietetic Code of Professional Conduct, and Statement of Ethical Practice;

Apply an evidence-based and highly developed knowledge of human biosciences, food and nutrition science, health and disease, food and food preparation methods to develop and deliver, client-centred strategies and recommendations to improve health and food choices of individuals, groups and/or populations across a range of practice settings;

Apply the principles of scientific inquiry and critical evaluation to review the literature, obtain and apply information for effective evidence-based dietetic practice;

Apply appropriate methodologies in research, evaluation and quality improvement to undertake a project relevant to nutrition and dietetics, and disseminate the results;

Collaborate with and empower clients and stakeholders, using a range of communication and other interpersonal skills necessary for effective dietetic practice and the translation of scientific research on nutrition, health and disease into practical advice for clients and colleagues;

Demonstrate the ability to build relationships and work collaborative with colleagues within and across disciplines in a range of settings, acting as a resource and promoting the profession of nutrition and dietetics; and

Demonstrate reflection on, and learning from practice, and recognise the need for continued professional development.
: The University has received Program Qualification from the Dietitians Australia (DA) and has sought advice regarding the processes for the accreditation of the dietetics program. The University is planning to submit an accreditation application within the required timelines, and aiming to achieve accreditation prior to graduation of the first cohort of students.

A graduate of an accredited program is eligible to become a member of DA with dietetics qualifications, and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. Full details of the stages in the DA accreditation process are available on the DA website. All inquiries regarding the progress of the program’s accreditation review should be directed to the University’s Dietetics Program Coordinator.
: In your third year of study, you'll get hands-on experience developing and delivering group nutrition education sessions to the public.

In the final year of the course, you'll also complete at least 100 days of professional practice placement with our partner organisations, in medical nutritional therapy, community and public health nutrition and food service, meeting the competencies required to practise as a dietitian.
: Achieve your full potential with The Learning Hub, which help you develop your confidence, academic ability, and study skills.

Benefit from in-person mentoring and study sessions, along with a range of digital learning modules that you can access anytime.

Get help from our online, 24/7 support service to polish your assignments before you submit, and receive guidance on writing, referencing, maths and more.

Read more about The Learning Hub

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

Minimum ATAR 85.85

This course has a minimum ATAR entry requirement. This means you’ll need to achieve a certain ATAR, along with other criteria, to be considered for this course.

The following table shows the ranking results of our current student intake and is an indication of the ATAR you’ll need to successfully apply.

VU course code: HCND

VTAC course code: 4301011121 (Footscray Park)

Campus: Footscray Park

ATAR profile of people who received an offer for the Bachelor of Nutritional Science/Master of Dietetics.
	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors)	Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Highest rank to receive an offer	93.15	97.15
Median rank to receive an offer	80.30	89.10
Lowest rank to receive an offer	73.50	85.85

Learn more about ATAR

What is ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) compares the results of final-year school students, with adjustments made for factors such as hardship. The ranking is expressed as a number between 0 and 99.95. ATAR minimum entry requirements are not usually essential entry criteria for applicants who have completed secondary education more than 2 years ago.

Entry criteria

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:

Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)

an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE

an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
PLUS:
A study score of at least 25 in two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health & Human Development, Mathematics (any) or Physical Education.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent) in Health or Human Sciences (or equivalent)
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of at least two semesters of Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent) in Health or Human Sciences.
OR
Completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent) in any discipline

Second year entry:
Completion of at least two semesters of Bachelor of Human Nutrition (HBNT) at Victoria University.

Note: Meeting the minimum requirement for entry to second year does not guarantee entry. Places are limited and applicants will be competitively ranked based on their course WAM in their first two semesters of study.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.

Admission criteria

Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
PLUS:
A study score of at least 25 in two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health & Human Development, Mathematics (any) or Physical Education.
: Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students

(A) Past Higher Education Study
(includes a bridging or enabling course) 10 52.6%

(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study <5 <5

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
NP NP

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
NA NA

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
NA NA

(D) Work and Life experience 0 0.0%

International students 0 0.0%

All students 19 100%

"<5" – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Applicant background	Number of students	Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	10	52.6%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study	<5	<5
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	NP	NP
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)	NA	NA
(D) Work and Life experience	0	0.0%
International students	0	0.0%
All students	19	100%

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

VU Guaranteed

If you’re currently in Year 11 or 12, our exclusive VU Guaranteed program offers a guaranteed place in a university or TAFE course, before your final Year 12 exams.

Learn more about VU Guaranteed

Additional information

Students will be required to complete a National Police Records check prior to practice placements, and on an annual basis thereafter. All students must also have a Working with Children check prior to placements.

Students must be prepared to declare their fitness to practice which will include physical and psychological health and have relevant immunisations prior to commencing placements.

Students must notify the university immediately of any changes to their status in relation to these.

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course Structure

To attain the double award of Bachelor of Nutritional Science / Master of Dietetics students will be required to complete:

432 credit points of core studies

Units

Fees & Scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Fees

Scholarships

CAREERS

A graduate of an accredited program is eligible to become a member of DA with dietetics qualifications, and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. Dietitians practise in a range of areas including:

private clinics
public health care
health promotion
nutrition education
research positions.

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