Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetics Pathway)

Undergraduate degree

Develop your understanding of human nutrition and its impact on health. Learn how to tackle challenges facing our society such as disease prevention.

Burwood

90.25 ATAR lowest selection rank ?
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Course overview

Deakin's Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetics Pathway) is the first step in your journey to becoming a dietitian, offering guaranteed entry into our Master of Dietetics if you achieve a 75 weighted average mark or above. The course develops your understanding of human nutrition and its impact on health. Learn how to tackle challenges facing our society including disease prevention, obesity, the spread of misinformation, and the social and physiological effects of food on our wellbeing.

Put theory into practice in our state-of-the-art food sensory labs located within our Consumer Analytical Safety Sensory (CASS) Food Research Centre. Designed just like those found in industry settings, our labs provide hands-on experience that prepares you for the workplace. With more than 7% of the total burden of disease in Australia due to poor diet*, graduate with the practical skills to improve health and wellbeing through food and nutrition.

Want to have a real impact on population health and improve the wellbeing of communities?

This course offers the same structure and units as our Bachelor of Nutrition Science, while ensuring dietetics prerequisites are incorporated as core units, to fulfil the entry requirements for the Master of Dietetics. Graduates will receive an offer to study in the Master of Dietetics after completing the necessary units and meeting the weighted average mark (WAM) requirement.

In this course, you will study a broad range of subjects that unlock a variety of career opportunities across health and nutrition industries. Gain a comprehensive understanding of:

  • the role of food in disease prevention
  • nutrition education and research
  • food choice and intake
  • food regulation
  • nutritional physiology
  • lifespan nutrition
  • sustainable food systems
  • the science of food.

To add diversity to your degree and expand your career opportunities, you can choose elective units in complementary areas such as food innovation, health promotion, psychology, physical activity and health or exercise science.

A major in food innovation will prepare you for a career in the food industry, where your knowledge of nutrition and food composition will facilitate the creation and marketing of food products that help to improve health.

You will gain 75 hours of valuable practical experience through the Food and Nutrition Practicum core unit in your final year. This allows you to build industry experience and connections while applying your skills alongside established nutritionists or food industry professionals.

Discover our food, nutrition and dietetics courses.

*Australian Burden of Disease Study: Impact and causes of illness and death in Australia 2018 

Read More

Key dates

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 29 November 2024

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course information

Award granted
Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetics Pathway)
Year

2025 course information

VTAC code
1400510671 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Deakin code
H318
CRICOS code?
0101098 Burwood (Melbourne)
Level
Undergraduate
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

Course structure

To complete the Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetic Pathway), students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. In order to gain 24 credit points, you will need to study 24 units (AKA 'subjects') over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:

18

Compulsory units

4

HSN selective units

2

elective units

24

Total units

Core units

Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2022 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2022 should refer to previous online Handbooks or contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information. The course maps will guide the units you need to enrol in each trimester.

Level 1 - Trimester 1

  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
  • Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)
  • Foundations of Food, Nutrition and Health
  • Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
  • Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems
  • Chemistry in Our World
  • Level 1 - Trimester 2

  • Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety (0 credit points)
  • The Science of Food
  • Food Fundamentals
  • Physiology of Human Growth and Development
  • Chemistry for the Professional Sciences
  • Level 2 - Trimester 1

  • Nutritional Physiology
  • Biochemistry
  • plus 2 HSN-coded units - recommended at level 2

    Level 2 - Trimester 2

  • Lifespan Nutrition
  • Integrated Human Physiology
  • Biochemical Metabolism
  • Exercise and Sport Laboratory Safety (0 credit points)
  • plus 1 HSN-coded unit- recommended at level 2

    Level 3 - Trimester 1

  • Diet and Disease
  • Food Policy and Regulation
  • plus 1 HSN-coded level 3 unit

    plus 1 elective unit - recommended at level 2 or level 3

    Level 3 - Trimester 2

  • Population Nutrition
  • Assessing Food Intake and Activity
  • Food and Nutrition Practicum
  • plus one elective unit - recommended at Level 2 or Level 3

    Major sequences

    It is recommended that students take the Food Innovation major sequence.

    As there are only 2 elective spaces in this course, other major options are not available, however you may choose to undertake the units within other majors, as electives.

    Elective units

    Electives are offered subject to availability of resources and quotas where applicable.

    For your 2 elective units, you can choose to undertake units from any area of the university. You may wish to use the Advanced Unit Search function in the unit handbook to search for elective units.

    Trimester 1

  • Food Analysis and Quality Assurance
  • Sensory Evaluation of Food
  • Food Manufacturing and Process Innovation
  • Consumer and Sensory Innovation of Food
  • Trimester 2

  • Food Safety
  • Nutrition and Food Promotion
  • Food, Nutrition and Society
  • Trends in Product Development
  • Trimester 3

  • International Perspectives in Food and Nutrition
  • Intakes by location

    The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

    Trimester 1 - March

    • Start date: March
    • Available at:
      • Burwood (Melbourne)

    Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).

    Additional course information

    Course duration

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

    Mandatory student checks

    Working with Children Check

    Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for the relevant state prior to undertaking placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement unit.

    Police Record Check

    Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement unit.

    Workload

    Approximately 150 hours of learning and assessment activities per credit point

    As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

    Participation requirements

    Students are required to complete laboratory safety modules and a compulsory zero credit point Academic Integrity unit.

    Deakin’s standard holiday breaks are listed here.

    This course allows you to select elective units that may include placements, work based training, community-based learning and collaborative research training arrangements. Before you enrol in units, please check the unit specification to understand these compulsory learning experiences.

    Placement may occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks, upon discussion with host organisation.

    Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability.

    Work experience

    Work Integrated Learning

    You will enhance your employment prospects by consolidating your knowledge and skills through realistic field experience in HSN311 Food and Nutrition Practicum in your final year.

    Entry requirements

    Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

    Please note, there are limited places in this course and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. Applications for this course may close prior to the published closing date if all places are filled.

    If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.

    Academic requirements

    Current or recent secondary education

    If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

    Year 12 prerequisite subjects

    • Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL

    ATAR

    • Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent

    Higher education

    If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

    • successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)

    Vocational education

    If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet at least one of following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

    • completion of a certificate IV or higher in a related discipline
    • completion of a diploma or higher in any discipline
    • at least 50% completion of a diploma or higher in a related discipline

    Work and life experience

    If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and haven’t undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.

    Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression. Think of it as a job application cover letter – it should be relevant and demonstrate your commitment and interest in this course or study area.

    English language proficiency requirements

    To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

    • Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 25 in any other English
    • IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
    • other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

    Selection adjustments

    Subject adjustment

    A study score of 35 in Biology, any English, Food Studies or Health and Human Development equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in Chemistry, Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in Biology, any English, Food Studies or Health and Human Development equals 2 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in Chemistry, Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

    Access and equity

    Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you are from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.

    Elite Athlete Program

    Student athletes may be eligible to receive 5 bonus aggregate points. Applicants wishing to be considered for an elite athlete bonus must complete a personal statement indicating how their studies have been impacted by participation in sport at an elite level. Applicants must also provide documented evidence of their participation in sport at an elite level to be considered for this. Learn more about the Elite Athlete Program eligibility and how to apply.

    Admissions information

    Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2024 students (PDF, 793KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.

    Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.

    Recognition of prior learning

    The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater.

    You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

    We strongly recommend that any students wishing to apply for this course complete the approved Master of Dietetics prerequisite units at Deakin, rather than applying for Recognition of prior learning (RPL) after completing similar units from other universities. You can find detailed information on the course entry requirements and frequently asked questions relating to the Master of Dietetics here.

    The reason for this is that the process for assessing eligibility of a unit for RPL is different to assessing the eligibility of a unit to meet prerequisites. There may be instances where a student receives RPL for one of the approved Deakin prerequisite units, however the unit is not considered to have met the Master of Dietetics prerequisites.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    Estimated tuition fee - (CSP)?
    $9,314 for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
    Learn more about fees.

    The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose, as each unit has its own cost. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

    Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year. You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

    Learn more about fees and available payment options on our Current students fees website.

    Scholarship options

    A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships

    Apply now

    Apply through VTAC

    Applications for Trimester 1, 2025 are open. We've helped over 300,000 Deakin graduates across Australia and throughout the world apply with confidence. In Year 12? Follow these how to apply steps. Completed secondary education in or prior to 2021? Follow these how to apply steps.

    Apply directly to Deakin

    To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.

    Pathways

    View pathways into the Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetics Pathway) with our pathways finder.

    Contact information

    Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    Following the completion of your bachelor degree, you can take your next step towards becoming a dietitian with the Master of Dietetics. Once completed, you will be eligible to apply for full membership with Dietetics Australia and the Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) program and work in all areas of dietetics. You can visit our nutrition and dietetics careers page for more information.

    If you don’t elect to continue with the Master of Dietetics pathway, your career outcomes will mirror those of Bachelor of Nutrition Science graduates. As a nutritionist, you will have the knowledge and skills to confidently provide evidence-based advice to communities regarding food and its impact on our health. Graduates of the Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetics Pathway) will be well prepared for careers requiring knowledge surrounding:

    • nutrition
    • population health
    • food analysis
    • food sustainability
    • food policy
    • nutrition for disease prevention
    • assessing and evaluating food intake.

    You will gain the skills required to perform a range of roles across:

    • advocacy
    • nutrition promotion
    • nutrition media and marketing
    • quality assurance
    • self-employment and consulting.

    If you have completed the Food Innovation major, you will be prepared for careers requiring knowledge of:

    • consumer behaviour
    • education and research
    • the food industry
    • food policy and regulation
    • sensory analysis
    • product development
    • food quality and safety
    • food manufacturing.

    Visit our nutrition careers page for more on the different pathways available to you.

    Professional recognition

    While studying this degree, you are eligible to apply for student membership with the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA). Graduates who elect to not complete the Master of Dietetics can apply for ordinary membership of NSA and apply to become a Registered Associate Nutritionist. Registration will ensure you are recognised as a qualified nutrition professional in the field.

    Graduates are also eligible to apply to become a Registered Associate Nutritionist with the:

    Additionally, if you have completed this degree with a major in food innovation, you may also seek membership into the Australian Institute of Food, Science and Technology (AIFST).

    Course learning outcomes

    Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

    Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes
    Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

    Apply food and nutrition and health knowledge from a range of perspectives.

    Communication

    Select and use a variety of engaging communication modes to disseminate knowledge to individuals, groups, government and non-government organisations and health professionals.

    Digital literacy

    Select and use appropriate technologies to source, understand, evaluate, and communicate information to professional networks and communities.

    Critical thinking

    Source and critically analyse the food and nutrition literature to apply an evidence-based approach to the field.

    Problem solving

    Identify and apply practical solutions to a range of changing and complex food and nutrition and health issues.

    Self-management

    Employ self-directed, reflective work and learning practices in a responsible manner to professionally contribute to nutrition sciences.

    Teamwork

    Work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams with a range of stakeholders to advance the field of nutrition sciences.

    Global citizenship

    Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates awareness of, and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts in nutrition sciences.