Overview of practice education placements
Where do placements fit in to the MNutr degree programme?
In summary, we deliver an integrated placement model where students undertake a block of practice learning in years 1, 3 and 4 of the programme.
When a student attends any practice education placement it is important that all staff have a good understanding of what the students have covered so far in their degree. This should help everyone to have realistic expectations in relation to knowledge and understanding of dietetics. Below is an overview of the course structure with the position of the placements indicated.
It is important to be aware that there are progression rules in place which mean that students have to successfully complete one part of the course before being allowed to commence the next part. These are also shown.
A placement:
Students begin placement preparatory content in the module 'Introduction to Dietetics' in semester 1, with content continuing in semester two ending with a 5-day in person placement in a clinical setting.
The A placement is the first of 3 practice-based placements during the MNutr Dietetics course and because it is the first of the placements it is primarily 'observational'. The activities in the placement help you to gain knowledge and skills by watching how others behave, reviewing how things are done, and from these experiences you then learn how to do these things independently. Observational learning helps to shape and model you as a dietitian. A placement enables you to apply knowledge into practice, whilst also learning additional key skills to help meet the required competencies for registration.
B placement:
Before going on B placement, students will have completed 2 more years at university. Modules they cover in year 2 include:
- Fundamentals of food and dietetics
- Communication skills and educational methods
- Medicine and pathology
- More science! (nutrition, biochemistry, metabolism, physiology)
Year 3 modules:
- Principles and practice of dietetics (equates to half of the year's credits)
- Nutrition and the health of populations
- Clinical pharmacology
- Changing behaviour, promoting health
- Research skills
B placement usually falls over the summer between the 3rd and 4th years. Students must successfully complete all year 3 assessments in order to progress on to their B placement. B placement includes:
- Observation
- Developing skills in practice
C placement:
After the B placement, and before the C placement, students return to university for one semester. Students must successfully complete their B placement in order to continue into the 4th year. They have 2 modules in 4th year, which are:
- Advanced dietetics (clinical and public health) and professional issues
- Research project
Students must successfully complete these modules before commencing C placement. C placement takes place during the spring semester of the 4th year. C placement includes:
- Further skill development
- More complex patients
- Managing a workload
Students must successfully complete C placement before being allowed to return to university to complete revision and final assessments. Following successful completion of final assessments leads to the student being eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration as a dietitian.