Key facts
English language requirements
Overall IELTS score of 7.0, with 7.0 in all bands. More information is available at www.ielts.org
Duration
1.5 years full time
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
The Master of Dietetics prepares you to solve widespread health issues through science-based, diet-related treatments. Take a big step towards becoming an Accredited Practising Dietitian, and build advanced skills that allow you to improve the health and wellbeing of the individuals and communities you work with.
If your goal is to become an accredited practising dietitian, why not join a program that has over 45 years of experience developing industry-ready dietitians?
Deakin’s Master of Dietetics explores the important relationship between diet and disease. Accredited by Dietitians Australia (DA) and shaped by decades of industry input, this course trains you to prescribe science-based treatments for a wide range of health issues, from obesity and diabetes, to allergies and malnutrition. If you’re passionate about improving the wellbeing of the people around you through diet, the Master of Dietetics allows you to cut through misinformation to unlock solutions that are shaped by evidence and tested with scientific rigour.
Combine studies in medical nutrition therapy, public health nutrition and food service management to graduate with a well-rounded set of skills that prepare you for a variety of roles. Your problem-solving abilities, communication skills and dietetic knowledge will allow you to thrive in community and public health settings. Prefer to work one-on-one with clients? You will feel just as comfortable using your interpersonal skills to develop tailored treatments in a clinical setting that deliver life-changing results.
Importantly, this course has full accreditation from the Dietitians Australia. That makes it a recognised pathway towards becoming an Accredited Practising Dietitian. Better still, this is one of the few dietetics masters courses in Australia that takes just 18 months (full-time study) to complete. This means you can move into your dream role faster and start helping people sooner.
Practical learning forms a significant part of the course and you will have many opportunities to apply the knowledge you learn in the classroom in labs, workplaces and industry settings. 21 weeks of professional practice placement gives you industry experience in multiple settings and prepares you for your career as a dietitian. This is where all your training comes to the fore, as you work alongside established dietitians.
Students can enrich their university experience by leveraging the considerable industry connections formed by Deakin’s long-standing School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Just a few of our associations include:
- Nutrition Australia
- Sports Dietitians Australia
- Austin Health
- Barwon Health
- Northern Health
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Western Health.
These relationships open the door to professional development opportunities, give you direct access to ground-breaking research and allow you to build networks that take your career forward.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Dietetics
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- H718
- CRICOS code?
- 056059G Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Dietetics students must attain 12 credit points. All units are core (these are compulsory). Units may be worth 1 or 2 credit points - check each unit for its credit point value in the course structure below.
Failure of a compulsory practicum component in any unit of study will normally lead to exclusion. All expenses associated with practicum units, including any transportation or accommodation costs are the responsibility of the student.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first semester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Core units
Year 1 - Semester 1
Year 1 - Semester 2
PLUS
OR
Year 2 - Semester 1
PLUS
OR
*Enrolment into HSN745 will be determined by the Unit Chair.
# HSN758 – student must pass HSN742, HSN745 and HSN747 placements prior to enrolling into this unit.
^Indicates compulsory practicum core units required to complete in this course.
Note: All students are required to complete at least one regional placement.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Semester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Semester 2. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Semester 1 - February
- Start date: February
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
Key semester dates for 2023 are available here.
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing placements.
Orientation for this course is mandatory and normally takes place the week prior to semester starting; i.e.the last week of January.
Mandatory student checks
In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course.
In accordance with the Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, amended 2017, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.
Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals, placements 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. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
Participation requirements
The course involves compulsory placements of 10 weeks in a clinical setting, 7 weeks in a community setting and 4 weeks in a food service setting. These placements may require travel to rural areas.
Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Work Integrated Learning
Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to develop specialist skills related to the professional practice of nutrition and dietetics, and achieve competency in dietetic practice through extensive professional practice placements. Professional practice placements provide you with applied experience in clinical, community and food service settings to develop discipline specific knowledge.
You will also develop research, critical thinking and communication skills throughout the course. Please note, the course (and a career in dietetics) requires a high level of interpersonal communication skills. Students not possessing such skills may have difficulty in meeting professional course requirements and successfully completing their studies.
Entry requirements
Entry information
International students who have an IELTS score of 7 across all bands may apply for entry into the course providing they have met the prerequisites for entry.
Applicants must hold a three year Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant cognate area (for example: science, health sciences, nutrition, food science, exercise science, biomedical science, allied health or nursing) within the last 10 years from an approved university or other educational institution.
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant cognate area must demonstrate learning in Human Biosciences and Food and Nutrition Science as described below:
- Biochemistry content with Chemistry (0.25 EFTSL) followed by Biochemistry (0.25 EFTSL);
- Human Physiology content with Human Biology (0.25 EFTSL) followed by Human Physiology (0.25 EFTSL)
(0.25 EFTSL is equivalent to 2 Deakin credit points)
Applicants are also required to have completed at least 4 units (equivalent to 4 Deakin credit points) of nutrition and food science study covering content relating to principles of nutrition, lifespan nutrition diet and disease and food science.
You can find detailed information on the course entry requirements and frequently asked questions relating to the Master of Dietetics here.
Applicants must complete the Prerequisite Units template and a video submission
Note to students who defer or intermit prior to commencing H718: If there are changes to H718 entry criteria during your period of deferment or intermission, your eligibility to enrol into the H718 will need to be re-assessed
From 2023 onwards, applicants are strongly advised to complete their undergraduate courses by the end of November of the year they are applying into this course.
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note: meeting minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into this program is competitive and there are limited places available.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of Prior Learning.
Your Recognition of Prior Learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
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 tuition fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Entry pathways
This course can be a pathway to H541 Graduate Certificate of Health Research Practice
Careers
Career outcomes
The prevalence of health issues such as obesity, diabetes, mental illness and malnutrition has increased the demand for qualified dietitians who can use food as a form of treatment and prevention. Jobs in nutrition and dietetics are projected to grow by 7.2% to November 2026*.
The skills you learn and practical experiences you’re exposed to will set you up to take advantage of this demand. You’ll be able to confidently enter all areas of dietetics, including:
- clinical (hospital) dietetics
- community nutrition
- private practice
- public health
- sports nutrition
- dietetic education and research
- food service
- public relations, marketing, communications and media
- health promotion and policy development.
You can find additional careers information about this course here.
*Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Master of Dietetics has full accreditation from Dietitians Australia (DA). Students graduating from DA accredited courses are eligible to apply for full membership of the DA and the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) program and to work in all areas of dietetics.
All dietetics education programs in Australia are required to undergo an accreditation review process by the Dietitians Australia (DA) every five years. Deakin has delivered a course in dietetics since 1977, and has offered an accredited course since accreditation commenced. After recently undergoing a re-accreditation process, Deakin’s Master of Dietetics will once again be provided full accreditation from 30 April 2020 to 30 April 2025 with no conditions.
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.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply advanced knowledge of human nutrition and dietetics to support safe food practices and provide nutrition care for individuals, groups, and communities. |
| Communication | Develop high level communication skills for use with a range of audiences including colleagues, other health professionals and the community. |
| Digital literacy | Select and use a range of appropriate digital technologies to locate, assess and translate research findings and evaluate practice in human nutrition and dietetics. |
| Critical thinking | Apply critical thinking in the dietetic assessment and management of individuals, groups and communities. |
| Problem solving | Use an evidence-based framework to provide practical solutions to a range of changing and complex nutrition and dietetic issues. |
| Self-management | Employ reflective practice, to demonstrate expert judgement, responsibility and ethical practice in the field of nutrition and dietetics. |
| Teamwork | Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders to advance nutrition and dietetic sciences and improve client outcomes. |
| Global citizenship | Exercise professional and ethical dietetic practice for individuals, groups and communities from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and in different environments. |
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