Human Nutrition & DieteticsCothú an Duine ┐Diaitéitic

Dietitians apply knowledge of food, nutrition and other disciplines such as biochemistry, physiology and social science to promote health, prevent disease and help to manage illness.

This course offers you an integrated training in the science of nutrition and dietetics, and its applications to human health and well-being both at the individual and community level.

This joint TU Dublin/TCD BSc course is the only such degree course in the Republic of Ireland. Students are registered in TU Dublin and TCD.

The broad aim of the course is to produce graduates who are competent to practice at entry level as a dietitian or public health nutritionist or work as a nutrition expert in the industrial and/or private sector.

You’ll learn how to apply core science knowledge to dietetics and human nutrition and will develop scientific and analytical skills. To ensure capacity for evidence-based practice, there’s a strong emphasis on developing problem-solving skills, and the ability to review and critically evaluate scientific data and information and to undertake research and development in dietetics and nutrition.

On graduation, you can seek employment in the public or private sectors as a dietitian (or clinical nutritionist) in hospitals or community care in Ireland or the UK. With some further study towards licensing examinations, you may also find work in dietetics in the US, Australia or New Zealand.

You are also equipped to work effectively in the private sector, in food companies or in clinical nutrition product sales and marketing.

Work Placement

Practice placements are a compulsory element of the course. These placements are divided into three blocks in Year 1, Year 2 and Year 4 and are undertaken throughout the country.

Each practice placement will be followed by a period of college based consolidation. Students are responsible for their own upkeep during these periods of practice placement since they are unpaid.

Professional Accreditation

This programme is approved by CORU.

Leaving Certificate Requirements

Note: Anyone with a medically diagnosed food allergy (note: not a food intolerance) should be aware that, in this course, you will come in contact with food.

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

Please Note: Mature and other non-standard applicants may be called to interview as part of the application process.

English Language Requirements

All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not been educated through the medium of English will be required to meet the following TU Dublin and Trinity requirements: - An IELTS overall score of 7 or better, with no element below 6.5 - A TOEFL-iBT score of 98 or above with a minimum of 24 in Reading and Listening, 23 in Speaking and 27 in Writing.

Additional Requirements/Garda Vetting

Students are required to undergo Garda Vetting and relevant health screening processes before clinical placements can proceed.

Click on the link below to view an indicative timetable for this course. Timetables are subject to change and up to date timetables will be provided to students on commencement.

View Sample Timetable

• Dietitian
• Community Dietitian
• Researcher (Dietetics)
• Lab analyst
• Regulatory Affairs – QC-QA Dietitian
• Community Dietitian
• Researcher (Dietetics)
• Lab analyst
• Regulatory Affairs – QC-QA

Irish/EU Applicants

Applications from all Irish/EU citizens are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

The standard closing date to apply is February 1st. Late applications will close on May 1st. For restricted courses, the closing date is February 1st. Please see important dates on the CAO website. For a detailed guide on how to apply, please visit our CAO Hub.

International Students (Non-EU) 

Applications from international students are welcome for this programme. If you meet any of the following criteria, applications should be made directly to TU Dublin via the “Apply Now – Non-EU” link on each programme webpage.

• You hold Non-EU Nationality, and you live in a Non-EU country.
• You hold EU Nationality, but you have not lived in an EU country for 3 of the last 5 years AND you have not attended 5 years primary/secondary education in an EU country.
• You require a Student Visa to study in Ireland

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

For full details on How to Apply, Visa & Immigration Information, Accommodation Information and International Fees, please visit our International Hub.

Application Dates for Non-EU Applicants

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing September 2025 are now closed.

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing in September 2026 will open in November 2025. Applications will close in June 2026.

Advanced entry applications are currently not accepted to this course.

The BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics is a highly rewarding but challenging course of study. The highlights for me were my practice placement and my undergraduate research project. Practice placement provides undergraduate students with an excellent opportunity to understand the role of the dietitian and to establish core competences in hospital and community settings. Undertaking a research project provides an excellent platform into the field of research and proved to be an invaluable learning experience.

After graduation, I started my career as a Clinical Dietitian. The interest in research and skills developed as an undergraduate allowed me to incorporate small amounts of research into my clinical work. I have embarked on a full-time scholarship-funded PhD in the area of Clinical Nutrition. I am very fortunate that the PhD enables me to merge both my clinical and research interests. Suffice to say, since completing my CAO, and with the dedicated efforts of the lecturers on this course, I have not looked back.

On graduation, you may proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil or PhD at research institutes and universities worldwide.