School of Health Professions

MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Paediatric Dietetics

Are you a qualified dietitian working in paediatric dietetics? Take your career further with our specialist course delivered in partnership with the Paediatric Group of the British Dietetic Association (BDA). You’ll benefit from the knowledge and experience of leading clinical practitioners from across the UK and develop as an evidence-based practitioner with advanced skills in clinical reasoning, critical appraisal, problem solving and leadership.

International application deadline

Applications for 2024–25 are open with a deadline of the end of May 2024.

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Key features
As this programme is designed for qualified HCPC registered dietitians, there is no requirement for a clinical placement component. Neither the programme nor any of its pathways lead to eligibility to apply for registration with a regulatory body.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications from overseas students for this programme as it does not comply with the current Tier 4 visa requirements.
Please note that when you enrol on this programme, you always enrol to study the master degree but we offer three exit awards: PgCert, PgDip and MSc.

Course details

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Paediatric Dietetics course brochure_4470

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Entry requirements
  • Candidates should normally have a first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2.1 or above or European first cycle equivalent in dietetics. 
  • You should have experience of professional practice in paediatric dietetics.
  • Note that successful completion of this pathway does not lead to eligibility to apply for registration as a dietician with the Health and Social Care Professions Council.
  • Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications from overseas students for this programme as it does not comply with the current Student (formerly Tier 4) visa requirements.
You must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice – IELTS requirement is 6.5 average with a minimum of 5.5 in each category. If you need to improve your English language to get onto a degree programme at the University of Plymouth, you can book a pre-sessional academic English course. 
You will be assessed individually for your ability to study at this level and therefore an interview may be necessary. You will normally be required to submit a short piece of writing as part of the admissions process.
AP(E)L:
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following university regulations and faculty procedures.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS):
This programme is equivalent to 90 ECTS credits (second cycle) with 30 ECTS credits at postgraduate certificate, 60 credits at postgraduate diploma and 90 credits at masters degree. Each 20 credit module has the equivalent of 10 ECTS credits and assumes a notional student effort of between 200-300 hours.
Successful completion of this pathway does not lead to eligibility to apply for registration as a dietician with the Health and Social Care Professions Council.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Fees, costs and funding
Student 2023-24 2024-25
Home £9,900 £11,000
Part time (Home) £1,000 per 20 credit module £1,220 per 20 credit module

Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per a number of credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.
Additional costs
Please be aware that there may be additional costs to undertaking your studies relating to printing of course materials, and requirement for an initial outlay for travel and accommodation in respect of practice placement. If you have any questions regarding these costs please contact pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
International
If you are studying on a programme where placements are integral to your study there are costs associated with travel and accommodation. Please speak with the programme admissions tutor to find out more.
In order to cater for the needs of the NHS workforce, this full-time programme is also available as a part-time programme, which is flexible in nature and allows up to five years for students to complete the full MSc. For this reason, students on the programme are unable to claim support via the Student Loans Company Postgraduate Loan. The SLC stipulates that only full-time programmes without a part time equivalent can be funded. If you think that you will have trouble funding your place on the programme, we would recommend a discussion with your employer to see whether any financial support can be granted. 

Tuition fee discount for University of Plymouth graduates

If you studied your undergraduate degree at Plymouth, you may be eligible for a fee discount if you complete your postgraduate studies here as well.
  • 10% or 20% discount on tuition fees for home students 
  • £2,000 discount on tuition fees for international students 
.

How to apply
Applying for this programme
Applications for the full-time programme need to be completed via the PG apply online form.
Applicants for the part-time programme need to complete the application via the Postgraduate Application Form. You will also need to provide two Referee Forms completed and signed by your referees, and a copy of your degree (or higher) certificate(s). Please return the forms and certificate copies to PDUAdmissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
Any questions please contact:
Professional Development Unit
4th floor, Rolle Building
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth, PL4 8AA
What happens after I apply?
After your application is received, it will be processed and sent to the Programme Lead for a decision to be made on your suitability to study. You may be asked to provide additional information or to take part in an interview (for overseas students this may be by telephone or video conference). Once this decision has been made, you will be sent an email either confirming your place on the programme, or rejecting your application and giving the reasons for this decision (you may request further feedback in order to improve your chances of selection at a later date).
Please note that you will be enrolled on the full MSc programme. You may choose to exit with the qualification of PgCert upon completion of an appropriate 60 credits, or a PgDip upon completion of an appropriate 120 credits. More information is contained within the programme specification.
For applicants with disabilities
If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by the University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services webpage.
Applying for this programme
Applications for the full-time programme need to be completed via the PG apply online form.
Applicants for the part-time programme need to complete the application via the Postgraduate Application Form. You will also need to provide two Referee Forms completed and signed by your referees, and a copy of your degree (or higher) certificate(s). Please return the forms and certificate copies to PDUAdmissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
Kim Novell – BSc (Hons) Dietetics and MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Paediatric Dietetics graduate

Kim Novell – graduate profile

“Plymouth offers a great dietetic degree with a range of learning experiences presented by a dynamic and innovative lecturing team, in modern and well-equipped facilities... It has a great mix of learning methods, including theory based lectures and practical workshops to help put your new knowledge into practice and prepare you for real life experiences of working as a dietitian.”
Kim Novell talks to us about the excellent facilities available at Plymouth, placements, working for the NHS, and setting up her own consultancy.
Group discussion

Teaching and learning

This programme benefits from the teaching of the core programme modules at the University of Plymouth with the specialist paediatric modules being delivered at locations across the UK by the British Dietetic Association (BDA).
Delivery of the specialist modules takes place over four consecutive days – for further information on the delivery of these modules please visit the BDA website or contact the course administrator: SGevents@bda.uk.com.
Delivery of the core modules is mostly via a blended learning approach based at InterCity Place.
For further information on both specialist and core modules please visit the module webpages.

Studying for a masters – module choice, research and career prospects

Advanced professional practice

Find out more about the modules associated with this programme
Fruit at a farmers market

Find out more about our dedicated Dietetics and Health Research Group
Getty image - girl eating fruit

Enhance your career prospects
Signpost in the mountain at sunset

MSc Advanced Professional Practice pathways

Both the School of Health Professions and the School of Nursing and Midwifery offer the MSc Advanced Professional Practice programme; together we offer a wide range of specialist and generic pathways to meet the educational needs of all health and social care professionals.