Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
160Course code
Overview
Our Master of Dietetics provides you with the knowledge and skills to embark on a career in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
The course combines theory and practical placements across the breadth of dietetic practice including food systems, community and public health nutrition, research and clinical services.
Be equipped with skills to navigate complex and growing challenges, aiming to address inequities in food, nutrition and health and culturally-safe practice.
You will complete 100 days of professional placements throughout the course, including short intensives at CDU Casuarina campus and a full-time placement in the final semester of the course. The full-time placements will commence in mid-January before the usual semester commencement.
CDU arranges all placements and has partnerships with health and community organisations across regional, rural and remote locations in the Northern Territory and other interstate locations.
Students are responsible for the cost of attendance including travel and accommodation. CDU cannot guarantee placements near your residential location. Students are encouraged to investigate scholarship opportunities.
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course prior to enrolling.
There may be more applicants than there are places available in the course. CDU will prioritise applicants residing in the Northern Territory, and/or Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander applicants.
Course transfer into the Master of Dietetics is not permitted.
Career opportunities
The qualification prepares you for a rewarding career in dietetics. Dietitians have the skills to develop and deliver nutrition and dietetic programs to improve health of individuals, communities and populations. Potential employment opportunities are endless and include roles in hospitals as clinical dietitians, community and public health-focused roles addressing the prevention of disease, working in food supply and food industry to improve healthy food access, availability and affordability, working in food services in hospitals, or settings such as aged care or childcare; through to improving performance through improved nutrition in sport.
Practical experience
You will complete a minimum of 100 days of supervised placements.
Professional recognition
This program is currently provisionally accredited by Dietitians Australia (DA). A graduate of this program is eligible to become a full member of DA and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. The University is required to maintain a current accreditation status as outlined in the DA accreditation process available via Processes for Accreditation of Dietetics Education Programs | Dietitians Australia
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2025 is AUD $31,584.00. This equates to $ $3,948.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University, the #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024).
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University, the #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024).
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
What will I study?
The Master of Dietetics encompasses an interdisciplinary, international and evidence-based approach, facilitating collaboration and networking between students from around the globe whilst encompassing nutrition and dietetic challenges in a range of settings including rural and remote Australian locations, and understanding Indigenous perspectives of food and health. Students complete 100 days of full-time professional placements throughout the course with a final full-time semester scheduled.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core (11 units) | 140cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 140 credit points as detailed below: DET501 Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 DET502 Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 DET503 Food Systems Management DET504 Nutrition and Dietetic Counselling NUT502 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle NUT504 Food, Society and the Environment NUT505 Public Health Nutrition PHM526 Research Design DET601 Dietetic Professional Skills (20cp) DET602 Dietetics Professional Placement 2 (20cp) DET603 Dietetics Professional Placement 3 (20cp) |
| Research Units (1 units) | 20cp | Research unit totalling 20 credit points as listed below: NUT602 Nutrition Research Project |
| Course Total | 160cp |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| NUT502 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle | CO | ||
| NUT505 Public Health Nutrition | CO | ||
| DET501 Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 | CO | ||
| DET503 Food Systems Management | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| NUT504 Food, Society and the Environment | CO | NUT602 Nutrition Research Project (20cp) | CO |
| PHM526 Research Design | CO | DET601 Dietetics Professional Skills (20cp) | CO |
| DET502 Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 | CO | ||
| DET504 Nutrition and Dietetic Counselling | CO | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| DET602^ Dietetics Professional Placement 2 (20cp) (also available INT-1) | CO | ||
| DET603^ Dietetics Professional Placement 3 (20cp) (also available INT-1) | CO | ||
^ DET602 Dietetics Professional Placement 2 and DET603 Dietetics Professional Placement 3
Note students will commence:
DET602 in either Intensive 1 OR Semester 1
DET603 in either Intensive 1 OR Semester 1
Students will require confirmation from the Course Coordinator of their DET602 and DET603 placements, prior to unit enrolment.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
STANDARD (8 Semesters)
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| NUT502 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle | CO | ||
| NUT505 Public Health Nutrition | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| NUT504 Food, Society and the Environment | CO | DET501 Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 | CO |
| PHM526 Research Design | CO | DET503 Food Systems Management | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| DET502 Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 | CO | DET601 Dietetics Professional Skills (20cp) | CO |
| DET504 Nutrition and Dietetic Counselling | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| NUT602 Nutrition Research Project (20cp) | CO | DET602 Dietetics Professional Placement 2 (20cp) | CO |
| Year 5 | |||
| DET603 Dietetics Professional Placement 3 (20cp) | CO | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
FAST-TRACK (6 Semesters)
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| NUT502 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle | CO | ||
| NUT505 Public Health Nutrition | CO | ||
| DET503 Food Systems Management | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| NUT504 Food, Society and the Environment | CO | DET501 Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 | CO |
| PHM526 Research Design | CO | NUT602 Nutrition Research Project (20cp) | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| DET502 Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 | CO | DET601 Dietetics Professional Skills (20cp) | CO |
| DET504 Nutrition and Dietetic Counselling | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| DET602 ^ Dietetics Professional Placement 2 (20cp) (also available INT-1) | CO | ||
| DET603^ Dietetics Professional Placement 3 (20cp) (also available INT-1) | CO | ||
^ DET602 Dietetics Professional Placement 2 and DET603 Dietetics Professional Placement 3
Note students will commence:
DET602 in either Intensive 1 OR Semester 1
DET603 in either Intensive 1 OR Semester 1
Students will require confirmation from the Course Coordinator of their DET602 and DET603 placements, prior to unit enrolment.
Entry requirements
Quota
The Master of Dietetics is a highly competitive course with a limited number of places. This means that although you may meet the minimum entry requirements for the course, you may not be ranked high enough to receive an offer. Subquotas are in place for First Nation and NT Resident applicants.
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification in a health-related field (inclusive of biomedical science, science, health sciences, nutrition, food science and exercise science);
Applicants must have attained a GPA of at least 5.00 in their bachelor degree;
A written statement detailing the following:
- Why you are interested in the field of dietetics;
- Your reasons for undertaking this course;
- Any relevant work experience and skills.
The completion of specified units undertaken in prior qualifications. This must be evidenced in your transcripts along with unit outlines from the year study was undertaken. Pay close attention to the study order sequence of the units listed below.
- 2 Chemistry units (0.25 EFTSL)
- 2 Biochemistry units (0.25 EFTSL) studied after the completion of your chemistry units
- 2 Human Biology units (0.25 EFTSL)
- 2 Human Physiology units (0.25 ETFSL) studied after the completion of your human biology units
- 2 Food and Nutrition Science units (0.25 EFTSL)
At CDU 0.25 EFTSL is equivalent to 20 credit points.
Essential requirements
Prior to commencing work integrated learning, all students are required to undergo a 'working with vulnerable people' check, and Australian Federal Police Record Check. Depending on the requirement of health and education departments, some organisations may also request students to meet immunisation requirements
It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation is obtained prior to commencing work-integrated learning projects.
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no score below a 6.5 in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 65 with no score less than 58 across all modules reading, writing, speaking and listening. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 94 with a minimum score of 22 in reading, listening, writing and speaking. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
What intrigued me about studying at CDU was its excellent graduate employment and salary outcomes.
Heather
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
What intrigued me about studying at CDU was its excellent graduate employment and salary outcomes.
Heather
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
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