Program information
UBC鈥檚 Dietetics program prepares you for entry into an in-demand profession that鈥檚 experiencing faster-than-average growth across Canada and internationally. As a registered dietitian, you鈥檒l improve and promote health through optimized food and nutrition, and fill a variety of roles in nutrition care, management, or population and public health.
What you'll learn
Dietetics is a professional program planned to meet the accreditation standards for the dietetics profession in Canada, and is the only dietetics program offered in British Columbia. You鈥檒l explore general biological and social sciences courses, as well as specialized dietetics courses like basic and applied human nutrition, food and food systems management, and professional dietetic practice.
The program involves five years of study: two prerequisite years and three program years (your fifth year is spent in practice education placements at various locations across B.C.). Once you graduate, you鈥檒l be eligible to practice as a registered dietitian upon application to a provincial regulatory body and successful completion of a national registration examination.
Prospective applicants who are interested in working in dietetics internationally are advised to check registration requirements in the country where they intend to practice.Vij鈥檚 Kitchen is a teaching and learning space in the Food, Nutrition, and Health Building. The space includes modern kitchen stations and a demo station that is used for both classroom learning and culinary technique classes. The culinary lab provides a great learning environment for students to learn basic food theory and food preparation, as well as multicultural culinary techniques and skills.
Experiential learning and research
The Dietetics major differs from other nutrition-related majors offered by Land and Food Systems in that it is a regulated health-profession training program. As such, it has specific courses and practice education placements to assist students to develop knowledge and skills for dietetic practice in the Canadian context.
Campus features
Vij鈥檚 Kitchen is a teaching and learning space in the Food, Nutrition, and Health Building. The space includes modern kitchen stations and a demo station that is used for both classroom learning and culinary technique classes. The culinary lab provides a great learning environment for students to learn basic food theory and food preparation, as well as multicultural culinary techniques and skills.
Program advantages
Dietetics is a professional program designed to meet national accreditation standards for the dietetics profession. Graduates are highly employable in diverse roles, with the majority working in the health care system. 糖心logo入口offers the only dietetics program in British Columbia.
Courses
There are many course you can take within Dietetics. Here are a few you might like.
Communicating concepts of food systems and links to human and environmental health through writing, elements of argumentation, evaluating evidence, and searching for and citing references to back up claims; small-class experience. Enrolment limited to LFS students with first year status.
Managed systems and concepts of sustainability; economic, ecological and social components; managed landscapes, agri-food systems, and communities; urban and rural systems; the land, food, nutrition and human health continuum.
Nutritional requirements and dietary patterns of healthy individuals throughout the life span.
Introduction to and application of business activities in food, nutrition, and health settings.
Outcomes
Many graduates of UBC鈥檚 Dietetics program have gone on to guide the food and nutritional choices of people through private practice. Other opportunities include advising government and industry, driving policy decisions, and directing nutrition programs for schools, hospitals, and food services.
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“My experience in the Dietetics program has been both enlightening and rewarding. It鈥檚 one thing to pursue a program that interests you, but actually experiencing it has shown me just how engaging and fulfilling it can be. The courses provide practical knowledge on how nutrition applies to real-world settings, from clinical nutrition in hospitals, to public health and food management.”
Sofia F., Dietetics, AlumRead Sophie's story
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Program requirements
Choose application type:
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the聽English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the 糖心logo入口Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Food, Nutrition, and Health
- IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL. (IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, are not acceptable.)
- One of IB Biology, IB Chemistry, or IB Physics
- Grade 11 or equivalent Chemistry, and
- Grade 11 or equivalent Physics (may be waived with grades of 5 in IB Chemistry and in your IB Mathematics course)
Note: Grade 11 Chemistry and Physics requirements listed are only relevant to students who are not completing the equivalent IB Diploma Chemistry and/or Physics courses.
For students studying outside of Canada, some examples of courses that may be accepted as Grade 11 equivalents are junior-level courses for American students, and IGCSE and O Level for those following British-patterned curricula.
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Sciences
- Social Studies
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you鈥檙e unable to visit 糖心logo入口in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current 糖心logo入口students walk you through UBC鈥檚 residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Land and Food Systems website to learn more about Dietetics.