MoU tees up TUS Nutrition and Health Science graduates for Teesside University Masters in Dietetics
The Technological University of the Shannon’s Nutrition and Health Science Programme has been re-accredited for a further five years – paving the way for students to become registered associate nutritionists.
The degree course, titled BSc (Hons) in Nutrition and Health Science, which has been running since 2012 at the TUS Athlone Campus, was recently awarded re-accreditation by the Association for Nutrition (AfN). This means graduates of the degree programme can apply to become a Registered Associate Nutritionist through the AfN.
The programme first obtained accreditation with the Association for Nutrition in 2020 and is now re-accredited until 2030.
Students of the course will not only benefit from the re-accreditation but will also now have the opportunity to further their study and become a registered dietitian due to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between TUS and Teesside University in the UK.
Students graduating with the BSc (Hons) Nutrition & Health Science may apply for progression to the MSc Dietetics at Teesside University, to qualify as a HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) -registered Dietitian. They can also apply for CORU registration in Ireland which means graduates could practice as a dietitian in both the UK and Ireland.
Speaking on the news, Dr Aoife Lane, Head of the Dept of Sport & Health Sciences at TUS said: “We are delighted to sign the MoU with Teesside University and are looking forward to enhancing our teaching and research links through the MSc in Dietetics course, as well as giving our students the opportunity to progress their studies. While the re-accreditation of our BSc (Hons) in Nutrition and Health Science underscores TUS’s commitment to providing high-quality education and maintaining rigorous academic standards.”
“This recognition of professionalism is also important to employers, and the programme team has established strong links with industry and the public sector over the last decade, providing a variety of placements for our students. These would include Arrabawn, BiaSol, Tirlán, Dawn Meats and Glenisk, as well as the HSE, Teagasc and Erasmus programmes with the University of Complutense in Madrid. With many of our graduates having gone on to work with these organisations once they are qualified.”
Commenting onthe re-accreditation process, which involved a comprehensive review of the course curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes, Dr Áine O’Connor, joint Programme Co-Ordinator of the degree course said: “This seal of approval recognises the quality of the teaching and hands-on training on the Nutrition and Health Science Programmeand ensures that students gain the appropriate knowledge, professional skills and competencies required to become a registered nutritionist.”
While fellow Programme Co-Ordinator, Dr Geraldine Cuskelly, said: “The accreditation demonstrates that the programme is rooted in a science-based tradition and ensures graduates have gained appropriate and relevant knowledge and skills after completing an accredited programme.”
A key element of the BSc (Hons) in Nutrition and Health Science is applied training throughout the four years, including the 15-week work placement in Year 3, which allows students to apply their learning in real-world settings. During this placement, students work within multidisciplinary teams in academic, research, hospital, or community environments, providing invaluable experience and enhancing their professional readiness.
For more information, go to https://tus.ie/courses/us950/