Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
Duration: 
2 years full time
Location: 
VU Sunshine Clinical School
Delivery mode: 
In person
Start date:
28 July 2025
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 20 July 2025 for our next intake which starts on 28 July 2025.
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Overview

Learn how to promote healthy food choices and apply current research and innovative approaches to treat a range of health conditions by completing a Master of Dietetics at Victoria University.

Dietitians are experts in how food and nutrition affect the body in health and illness. They play a crucial role in preventing and managing disease by providing tailored, evidence-based nutrition advice in acute healthcare, community and corporate settings.

During your Master of Dietetics, you will learn to assess clients, diagnose nutritional problems, and apply and monitor interventions. With these skills, you will be equipped to support the management of a variety of diseases, and improve the quality of life for individuals of all ages.

With 100 days of professional practice placement in hospital and community settings, you will graduate well-prepared to begin your career. You'll have the clinical, research and business skills to successfully navigate the rapidly changing nutrition and health needs of the population.

Commonwealth Supported Places in 2023

Fees are heavily subsidised and HECS-HELP loans available for eligible students in 2023. Apply now or register your interest - there's never been a better time to study!

During the masters program, you will complete at least 100 days of professional practice placement with our partner organisations, in medical nutritional therapy, community and public health nutrition, and food service – meeting the competencies required to practise as a dietitian.

You'll also complete a research project investigating cutting-edge nutritional concepts and their application to practice.

The University has received Program Qualification from the Dietitians Australia (DA) and has sought advice regarding the processes for the accreditation of the dietetics program. The University is planning to submit an accreditation application within the required timelines and is aiming to achieve accreditation prior to graduation of the first cohort of students.

A graduate of an accredited program is eligible to become a member of DA with dietetics qualifications, and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. Full details of the stages in the DA accreditation process are available on the DA website. All inquiries regarding the progress of the program’s accreditation review should be directed to the University’s Dietetics Program Coordinator.

Dietitians practise in a range of areas, including:

  • private clinics
  • acute and community public healthcare
  • health promotion
  • nutrition education
  • corporate and food industry
  • research positions.

VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice – online and in-person – and can show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available to all students.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

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Careers in dietetics

A graduate of an accredited program is eligible to become a member of DA with dietetics qualifications, and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. Dietitians practise in a range of areas, including:

  • private clinics
  • public health care
  • health promotion
  • nutrition education
  • research positions.

Course structure

To attain the Master of Dietetics, students are required to complete:
-
192 credit points of Core studies.

Year 1, Semester 1

Year 1, Semester 2

Year 2, Semester 1

Year 2, Semester 2

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Exhibit safe, effective and professional practice in line with the National Competency Standards for Dietitians, and within ethical and legal frameworks including the Code of Conduct, and Scope of Practice for Dietitians;  
  2. Synthesise an evidence-based and highly developed knowledge of human biosciences, food and nutrition science, health and disease, food and food preparation methods to develop and deliver, client-centred strategies and recommendations to improve health and food choices of individuals, groups and/or populations across a range of practice settings;  
  3. Apply the principles of scientific inquiry and critical evaluation to review the literature, obtain and apply information for effective evidence-based dietetic practice;  
  4. Justify appropriate methodologies in research, evaluation and quality improvement to undertake a project relevant to nutrition and dietetics, and disseminate the results;  
  5. Exhibit a range of culturally appropriate communication and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate nutrition messages with diverse clients and stakeholders;  
  6. Exemplify the ability to build respectful relationships and work collaborative with clients, colleagues and stakeholders, acting as a resource and promoting the profession of nutrition and dietetics; and  
  7. Critically reflect on learning from practice, and recognise the need for continued professional development.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admission & pathways

Inherent Requirements

'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.

We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.

Read more about inherent requirements.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

1. Successful completion of a relevant 3 year bachelor degree* (min) in a health related discipline, this will include
1.1 Chemistry/Biochemistry - including Chemistry (equivalent to 25% of a year study load) followed by Biochemistry (equivalent to a 25% year load). This content must include fundamentals of molecular biology, macronutrient structure, function and metabolism, cellular metabolism and regulation.
1.2 Human Biology & Human Physiology - Human Physiology content with Human Biology (equivalent to a 25% year study load) followed by Human Physiology (25% of a year study load) This content must include systemic human physiology including the eight body systems (immune, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular and nervous systems)
1.3 Human Nutrition and Food Science (equivalent to 25% of a year study load) - 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.
2. In addition, applicants are required to have:
2.1 completed their degree in the last 10 years or have undertaken subsequent Postgraduate studies*
2.2 obtained a minimum 65% WAM across their whole course.
*If students completed their degree more than 10 years ago, they may be considered on the basis of recent postgraduate study and/or relevant work experience.

Applicants are required to provide academic transcripts and meet the prerequisite subject requirements with their application. Applicants may be invited to attend an interview.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Additional information

Accreditation requirements are that students undertake a minimum of 100 days placement in clinical practice settings (based on a 7.5 hour working day). These placements are completed in the final 12 months of the course and are fulltime. Placement locations will be throughout Victoria, but may include some that are interstate. There are three placements in clinical practice settings (110 days) and a research placement.
• HHN7001 Medical Nutrition Therapy Placement (min. 50 days)
• HHN7002 Food Service Systems for Dietitians Placement (min. 20 days)
• HHN7003 Community and Public Health Nutrition Placement (min. 40 days)
• HHN7901 Research Placement (min. 40 days)

To progress to placements students will have to meet a number of mandatory requirements. These include a National Police Records check prior to practice placements, and on an annual basis thereafter. All students must also have a Working with Children check prior to placements. Students must be prepared to declare their fitness to practice which will include physical and psychological health and have relevant immunisations prior to commencing placements.

Students must notify the university immediately if there are any changes to their status in relation to these and other mandatory requirements.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 28 July 2025

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 20 July 2025 for our next intake which starts on 28 July 2025.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

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