From analysing nutritional data, to developing diet plans health to promoting wellness through community outreach, no two days as nutritionist are the same.

This is a rewarding career that blends science, food, and a desire to help people live healthier lives.

With a Swinburne nutrition course, you’ll kick start your journey, with hands-on learning in the lab and industry experience so you can launch your career with confidence.

Plus, according to Global Health Education Australia, job growth for nutritionists is set to grow 7.2% over the next 5 years, making now the perfect time to pursue your passion for nutrition.

3 steps to become a nutritionist

Becoming a nutritionist begins with selecting the right course to build a solid foundation in nutrition science and health.

Throughout your course, you’ll gain valuable industry experience through hands-on learning opportunities like placements and industry-linked projects.

When you graduate, you’ll be all set to launch a career in nutrition, whether that’s in clinical practice, community health, or research. 

1. Obtain a qualification 

Swinburne offers a diverse range of courses that pave the way to a successful career in nutritionton, catering all stages of your career journey.

Whether you’re starting with a UniLink pathway or advancing through a Masters program, we have options to support your goals.

With industry connections and hands-on learning, Swinburne prepares you to excel as a nutritionist, no matter where you begin.

Bachelor degrees

The 3-year Bachelor of Nutrition is a specialist degree that will qualify you as a nutritionist.

Considering a career as a dietitian? This course is your recommended option, providing a direct pathway to our Master of Dietetics. You will complete all the prerequisites-requisites for the Master of Dietetics and choose 8 electives from a diverse range of subject areas (including media and communication, entrepreneurship, public health and more). 

The 3-year Bachelor of Health Science with a major in Nutrition will give you more all-round health science training and you’ll qualify as a Nutritionist. If you plan to go on to study the Master of Dietetics, you will need to undertake additional units of study to meet the entry requirements. 

The 4-year Bachelor of Health Science (Professional) with a major in nutrition is the same course – but with an added 12-month, full-time, paid work placement. 

Speak with our expert course advisors by booking a one-on-one session. They’ll help you make the right choice based on your experience, existing qualifications, and career goals.   

UniLink pathway courses

The 8-month Diploma of Health Science provides you with direct pathway into second year of the Bachelor of Health Science. 

This highly supportive program has a lower guaranteed entry ATAR, provides you with a taste of health science and unlocks a range of potential study options.

Please note: At this stage there is no UniLink diploma pathway into the Bachelor of Nutrition.

Postgraduate degrees

The 2-year Master of Dietetics will qualify you to work as a practicing dietician and further your research career. 

2. Gain experience

Guaranteed industry experience is the cornerstone of our nutrition courses, providing you with valuable skills from day one.

You’ll have the chance to go out into the industry on a placement or collaborate with industry professionals in the classroom through industry-linked projects.

Bachelor degrees

  • The Bachelor of Nutrition combines a strong theoretical base with industry opportunities, a professional placement and a final year industry-linked project to help you transition into a practicing nutritionist. These units are exclusive to the Bachelor of Nutrition course.
  • The 3-year Bachelor of Health Science includes industry-informed case studies, plus the option of adding a 6- or 12-month professional placement.
  • The 4-year Bachelor of Health Science (Professional) includes a guaranteed paid 12-month work placement.


Postgraduate degrees

The Master of Dietetics offers the most advanced training in nutrition and dietetics through a practice-based curriculum. It includes multiple industry-based placements in a range of clinical, public health and food service management settings. Plus, you’ll undertake more complex, industry projects so you graduate job ready.

3. Build your network

When you study a Bachelor of Nutrition, a Bachelor of Health Science or a Master of Dietetics, you're eligible to join the Nutrition Society of Australia.

Benefits of being a member include:

  • networking opportunities with like-minded students and working nutritionists
  • professional development opportunities, like career events and advice sessions
  • access to special interest groups
  • mentoring opportunities

Explore nutrition courses

Want to help people improve their health and wellbeing? Find the right nutrition and dietetics course for you.

Browse nutrition courses

How long will it take to train as a nutritionist?

Wherever you’re at in your career, there's a nutrition or dietetics course for you. Find the option suited to you and your career goals. 

Quick facts about nutritionist careers

Average salary

$85K1

Job satisfaction

4.6/52

Job growth

7% over the next 5 years3

Sources

What skills do nutritionists need? 

Technical skills:

  • Apply evidence-based scientific knowledge
  • Nutritional assessment
  • Nutritional therapy
  • Problem solving
  • Data analysis.

Creative skills:

  • Cross-culture meal planning and recipe development
  • Adaptability in diet and meal planning
  • Development of community health programs
  • Creation of health education materials
  • Marketing and branding

Soft skills:

  • Listening
  • Empathy and compassion
  • Verbal communication
  • Flexibility
  • Continuous learning

Study nutrition at Swinburne

Discover the nutrition course for you. Choose from bachelor degrees, postgrad study or a UniLink pathway program.

Courses and study pathways

Duration:

3-4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Entry requirements:

Bachelor degree or higher award from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent.

Career outcomes:
  • Nutritionist
  • Nutrition adviser
  • Nutrition researcher
  • Health promotion officer
  • Quality assurance officer

Recommended courses:
Bachelor of Nutrition
Bachelor of Health Science, Professional, Majoring in Nutrition
Bachelor of Health Science, Majoring in Nutrition
Duration:

2-years full-time

Entry requirements:

Completion of at least one of the following:

  • A bachelor degree in the past 10 years in a relevant study area (includes health science, biomedical science and nursing)
  • A postgraduate degree in a health-related area
  • Or relevant work experience
     
Career outcomes:
  • Dietitian
     
Accreditation:
  • Dietitians Australia
     
Recommended courses:
Master of Dietetics

Why study nutrition at Swinburne?

Ranked in the top 500 in public health4

#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary 5 years out5

86% of grads found employment within 4 months of completing their course6

Sources

Frequently asked questions

The main difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian is the level of qualification needed to practice.

To become a nutritionist, you'll need to complete a 3-4 year bachelor degree in nutrition or health science (majoring in nutrition). No formal accreditation is required to practice as a nutritionist.

To become a dietitian, you'll need to complete an additional 2-year Master of Dietetics that is accredited by Dietitians Australia.

After graduating from a Bachelor of Nutrition or a Bachelor of Health Science at Swinburne, you’ll unlock a wide range of exciting career opportunities that showcase the diverse options available to you.

  • nutritionist
  • nutrition researcher
  • health program developer
  • community health educator
  • food technologist

Or if you’re more entrepreneurially inclined, you can develop a professional brand online and become a public health educator and advocate.

Swinburne's offers a wide range of electives in entrepreneurship, communication and social media to provide you with the foundations to launch this career.

The only requirements to study a Bachelor of Nutrition or a Bachelor of Health Science is completion of  VCE Units 3 and 4, with a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent. The guaranteed entry ATAR for both courses is 60.

Previous study in health and human development, mathematics, physical education and any science subject are recommended due to the science-based nature of the curriculum.

For more in-depth prerequisite information , you can check out your preferred course’s page on Swinburne’s website, refer to the course handbook or speak to a course advisor.

You can speak to course advisors about your academic background and relevant work experience by booking an appointment or emailing us.

While units may differ, all courses have a focus on nutrition-related science, health and development.

To find the exact units you’ll be studying, you can check out the ‘study structure’ section on each course page or book a one-on-one consultation with a course expert.

If you love science, nutrition and dietetics are the perfect fit for you! These fields are built on scientific foundations, making it essential to succeed in subjects across diverse areas, including chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. 

Advancing your understanding and application of scientific, evidence-based theories and concepts is key to your success throughout the course. 

For more specific information, be sure to check the entry requirements and explore the core and elective units for your preferred course before applying.  

The Bachelor of Nutrition and the Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in nutrition, will qualify you to work as practicing nutritionist.

You can apply for membership to the Nutrition Society of Australia after graduating.

Plus, you can also work in a range of related occupations including nutrition adviser, food technologist, nutrition researcher and teacher.

The Master of Dietetics will qualify you as a practising dietician.

Bachelor degrees alone do not qualify you as a dietitian, but the Bachelor of Nutrition provides a direct pathway into the Master of Dietetics.

You can still qualify for the Master of Dietetics if you study the Bachelor of Health Science (majoring in nutrition), as long as you complete additional units to meet the entry requirements. 

Yes, you can study nutrition without an ATAR. Swinburne’s Diploma of Health Science (Unlink)  provides a direct pathway into second year of the Bachelor of Health Science.

You’ll learn theories and practices relating to health science, preparing you for the bachelor degree. It will also give you an understanding of the professional and ethical behaviours required in health care.

For entry requirement head to the Diploma of Health Science course page or book a one-on-one consultation with a course advisor.

Please note: this UniLink diploma does not provide direct entry into the Bachelor of Nutrition at this time.

In addition to FEE-HELP loans, Swinburne provides a range of scholarships to give you financial support, promote equity and reward achievement and excellence, explore the full list of scholarships.

Swinburne nutrition courses are delivered face-to-face at our Hawthorn campus in Melbourne. You’ll collaborate with peers in immersive, laboratory-based learning experiences that can’t be replicated online. 

Sources

1 Source: Randstad Job Profiles Australia

2Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

3 Source: seek.com.au 

4ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022

5QILT: Graduates Outcomes Survey (2021-2023)

6QILT: Graduates Outcomes Survey (2021-2023)

 

Explore nutrition courses

Discover more