BSc. Dietetics

The BSc. Dietetics course at UWC is a four year programme.

The first two years of study forms the foundation of the course with students completing a range of science and basic nutrition modules.

The third year programme consists of the course majors, therapeutic nutrition, community nutrition and food service management, as well as modules in research methodology, physiology and pharmacology.

The programme culminates in an intensive internship in the fourth year of study. Students are placed in local clinics and hospitals and work under the supervision of registered dieticians or qualified food service managers in order to gain practical experience in the profession of dietetics. In addition, students complete modules in statistics and psychology and conduct a research project in this time.
 
Admission requirements: a National Senior Certificate as certified by Umalusi with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate achievement, 50 - 59%) or better in four subjects and a desirable score of 34 points.
Compulsory Subjects:

• English at level 4     
• Another language at level 3                                          
• Math at level 4 or Math Literacy at level 6
• Life Sciences at level 4

Personal Attributes: Applicants should be in good physical health and possess excellent communication skills. Enthusiasm, creativity, willingness to teach others and the ability to take initiative are ideal characteristics.
 
Registration as a dietician: 
Students registered for the BSc. (Dietetics) course are required to register with the Professional Board of Dietetics with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA). This registration is valid for the duration of training.

Dietetic graduates who are South African citizens will be required to complete one-year community service. During this period they will be registered as dietician: community service with the HPCSA.

On completion of the one-year community service, registration with HPCSA will change to dietician: private practice. This indicates that the dietetic graduate is an independent dietician. Students registered for BSc. (Dietetics) also qualify to apply for membership with Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) and the Nutrition Society of South Africa (NSSA) as student members. On completion of the course, registration changes to full member.