Key facts & Course Highlights

Dietetics is the study of those medical aspects of diseases that have a nutritional component in prevention or treatment. The primary aim of the Master of Dietetics programme is to prepare graduates with the professional and personal qualities required for future dietetic practice and to be, eligible for the credential of Registered / Accredited Practising Dietitian.

Dietetics programme is designed to meet the core fields of competency as defined by the profession, across a range of practice areas including clinical dietetics, community and public health nutrition and food service systems management.

The programme has a unique curriculum that emphasizes comprehensive modules such as medical nutrition therapy (clinical nutrition), food service and health promotion and hands-on professional training in the areas of dietetics, food service management and community and public health nutrition settings.

MSc. Dietiecs students will do a research project and submit a dissertation as partial fulfillment of the degree.

The candidate must possess the following:

A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of study obtained from a recognized University;

Relevant areas of study include:

– human nutrition
– nutritional science
– biomedical science
– biochemistry
– physiology
– human biology
– allied health science
– food science
– microbiology
– sports and exercise science

The undergraduate degree must include:

• • Chemistry/ Biochemistry (equivalent to 4 credits) – 
    This content must include fundamentals of molecular biology, macronutrient structure, function and metabolism, cellular metabolism and regulation.
  • Human Physiology (equivalent to 4 credits) –
    This content must include systemic human physiology including the eight body systems (immune, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular and nervous systems).
  • Human Nutrition (equivalent to 4 credits) –
    This must include general principles of nutrition, essential nutrients (food sources, storage and function of macronutrients and micronutrients), principles of energy balance and nutrient analysis of foods.

OR

A Bachelor’s degree in any other area of study not listed above obtained from a recognized University with either at least one-year of work experience as a Dietitian / Nutritionist within a health/social care setting or healthcare industry acceptable to the BoS and Senate.

OR

A Bachelor’s degree in any other area of study not listed above obtained from a recognized University with significant nutrition-related work experience (paid or voluntary) within a health or social care setting acceptable to the BoS and Senate.

Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes

Aims of the Programme

Programme Structure

Master of Science in Dietetics degree offers a full-time route that normally takes two (2) academic years and the part-time route will normally take three (3) academic years.

The maximum registration period for the full-time registrant is four (4) academic years and five (5)
academic years for the part-time student. The MSc degree programme comprises coursework in the first year (minimum 31 credits) and a full-time professional placement (10 credits) and a research component (dissertation; 20 credits) in the second year. After completing all required coursework, a master’s student may be considered full-time while enrolled in the Research Dissertation course unit and Professional Practice course unit. Professional Practice course unit has full-time placement components of varying lengths together with intensive teaching blocks in the University.

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF) at Level 10.

Master of Dietetics is a one and half year programme that comprises coursework in the first year (minimum 30 credits) including an Independent Study and a professional placement (10 credits) in the second year. The full-time route will normally take one and half (1.5) academic years and the part-time route will normally take three (3) academic years. The maximum registration period for the full-time registrant is four (4) academic years and five (5) academic years for the part-time student. After completing all required coursework, a master’s student may be considered full-time while enrolled in the Professional Practice course unit. Professional Practice course unit has full-time placement components of varying lengths together with intensive teaching blocks in the University.

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF) at Level 9.

Medium of Instructions – English.

The Course Unit Structure

Duration & Course Fee Structure

• • Master of Science in Dietetics 2 years

Duration & Course Fee Structure

• • Master of Dietetics 1.5 years

* Course fee can be paid in two installments

Master of Science in Dietetics

1^st  installment – Rs 150,000 (at the time of registration)
2^nd  installment – Rs 150,000 (at the beginning of the second year)

Master of Dietetics

1st installment – Rs 150,000 (at the time of registration)
2nd installment – Rs 100,000 (at the beginning of the second year)

Dietitians may work in hospitals, in private practice, in community health, in Non-Governmental

Organisations, in government and Departments (Health, Education, Sports), the nutrition industry (product development, marketing, consumer information), the food industry, food service departments in healthcare facilities and institutions, media and marketing and in academia and research. Successful completion of this programme may provide a pathway to a graduate research degree both locally and internationally (MPhil / Ph.D.).