Course preparation

Pre-course reading

Our library provides access to print and online materials so it is not necessary to purchase text books before you join the course. Some text books can be expensive so may be worth waiting until you are settled on the course before you decide what you want to buy.

You might find it helpful to start thinking about any knowledge gaps or areas to revise that relate to the first 2 modules you will study in trimester 1 :

Nutrition and Food Composition
Dietetic Practice in Long Term Conditions

A tip from Lucie is to read around digestion and absorption of macronutrients. There are also a wide range of YouTube videos that are good for revising biochemistry and physiology topics.

Experience

If you have not had the opportunity to shadow a dietitian in practice this would be encouraged before you start on the course. Usually dietetic departments offer times throughout the year that they can do this, so plan ahead and get in touch with a department close to you.

Dietitian's work in a variety of settings so it may also be worth considering where you can come into contact with professionals that work in different areas e.g. Public Health, Sports, Media, Freelance, Industry and Research.

Keeping abreast of current thinking and developments in relation to dietetics is also possible. For example you may want to find out more about a news headline that reports on a nutrition topic. There are many dietitians that have a social media presence, for example on Twitter and Instagram. Why not see who you can find and follow them? Alternatively charities, non-for profit organisations, health and social care organisations, public sector bodies, patient information groups will have websites and social media links, which again offer opportunities to develop you knowledge and understanding.

Some examples include:- Diabetes UK, Coeliac UK, Crohn's and Colitis UK.

Links

There are some Sheffield Hallam University links to social media further down. Here are some other useful links you may want to take a look at:-

British Dietetic Association (BDA) - you can become a student member of our professional body once you enrol on the course. There is still a wealth of information on the pages that is accessible to non-members and you can follow the BDA here on Twitter

Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) is the regulatory body for 16 health and care professions including Dietitians. Click here to find out more or follow the HCPC here on Twitter

Cooking skills

We are proud of our state-of-the-art kitchen and laboratory facilities for many of the practical aspects of this course. As dietitians, we are passionate about all things food and we therefore expect that you will have a basic level of food and cookery skills including knife skills, safe food preparation and storage, ingredient recognition and cooking practices such as baking, frying, boiling and grilling. If you feel you are not particularly confident with any of these things, please do ensure you practice these skills in advance of the course.

You will need to buy a lab coat and shoes for working in the kitchens. These are relatively inexpensive and you will be able to order these during you induction week when you visit the kitchen.

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