Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I don’t meet the chemistry pre-requisite, what should I do?
2. If the VCE Chemistry subject is scaled up to 30, do I qualify to apply?
3. What are the International Baccalaureate prerequisites for this course?
4. As a matured age student, do I still have to meet pre-requisites for this course?
5. Where can I work after I complete this course?
6. Is this qualification recognised in overseas countries?
7. How much does a new graduate from Nutrition and Dietetics earn per year?
8. Do I need to register with DAA?
9. Is it mandatory to have work experience to apply in the Nutrition and Dietetics course?
10. Do I need to get a distinction average for my tertiary studies to apply as a non-school leaver?
11. I didn’t get the ENTER score required so what are the alternative pathways to get into BND course?
12. Does my UMAT score count towards my TER?
13. What is the clearly-in ENTER score for the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics course?
14. Can I start a nutrition course at another university then transfer into second year?
15. I have already started an unrelated degree and now wish to transfer into dietetics. Can I do this?
16. Do I need to complete the supplementary form?
17. What happens if I don’t submit the supplementary form by the due date?
18. If I select a lower preference for the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics through VTAC, do I jeopardise my chances of being accepted in this course compared to others
19. If I have already completed a year of study at another University in a similar course, do I get credit for those subjects/units? Do I need to apply for this?
20. If I am unsuccessful in getting a place in the Graduate Entry program, would you consider me to start from 1st year automatically?
21. What are the prerequisites for Grad Entry from 3rd year?
22. Do you offer Graduate Entry places every year?
23. Do you interview all applicants or only Non School Leavers?
24. If I am short-listed for an interview and unable to attend what can I do?
25. Is it mandatory to attend an interview as a non school leaver applicant (if short-listed)?
26. What are the fees for this course?
27. What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?

1. If I don’t meet the chemistry pre-requisite, what should I do?
   There are several options if you want to apply for the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (BND) but do not have chemistry:
   
   
   1. Enter a Science or Biomedical Science degree and undertake ‘year 12’ chemistry equivalent subjects (for example at Monash University: The world of Chemistry 1 and 2 in the Bachelor of Science).

   Apply for an entry into BND at the end of your first year – either by course transfer (if you are a Monash student), or via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) if you are studying at another university.  If you are successful in gaining a place in the course and you have successfully completed nutrition subjects as electives, you may apply for credit although there is no guarantee that credit will be granted in all cases.

   2. Do single subject enrolment at a tertiary institution to gain the Chemistry prerequisites. It is important to note that you MUST have a very high ENTER from your previous VCE studies or at least a distinction (70%) average in your tertiary studies to remain competitive for entry into the course. If you complete the chemistry prerequisites this does not guarantee that you will get an offer for the course.
      
      
   3. >Do the VCE again and include Chemistry as a subject.
      
      
2. If the VCE Chemistry subject is scaled up to 30, do I qualify to apply?

You will not meet the pre-requisite of Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in Chemistry as VTAC only consider raw score for pre-requisite subjects.

3. What are the International Baccalaureate prerequisites for this course?

You will need English and Chemistry at a minimum of four at higher level or a minimum of five at standard level.

4. As a matured age student, do I still have to meet pre-requisites for this course?

Yes, you MUST meet the prerequisites for English and Chemistry – units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 35 in English (ESL) OR 30 in any other English and a study score of at least 30 in Chemistry or equivalent. The prerequisites are applicable to all applicants. Question 1 provides you with some options on how to meet the prerequisite requirements.

5. Where can I work after I complete this course?

Most graduates will take up positions in hospital departments or in community health centres. For more information on career opportunities, please visit the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) website (www.daa.asn.au). Currently, most of Monash Nutrition and Dietetics graduates are finding jobs immediately after they complete the course or within a few months from their graduation.

6. Is this qualification recognised in overseas countries?

This course is recognised in all states and territories in Australia, in New Zealand, UK and Canada. (Applications for registration in other countries need to be completed).

7. How much does a new graduate from Nutrition and Dietetics earn per year?

New graduates are generally employed as a grade-one dietitian and earn around $39K in the Victorian public sector.  

8. Do I need to register with DAA?

There is no registration board for dietitians but the DAA run the Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) program and there are many advantages to becoming a member of both DAA and the APD program.  Please visit the DAA website http://www.daa.asn.au/ for more information.

9. Is it mandatory to have work experience to apply in the Nutrition and Dietetics course?

No, it is not mandatory.  There are a limited number of places (6 to 8) for non-school leavers each year and the Monash Nutrition and Dietetics Unit receive many applications from high academic achievers. If you are able to demonstrate your motivation and dedication to this profession by doing some voluntary work in nutrition and dietetics related area that would be viewed positively when assessing the supplementary form. If you are working in a customer service environment, you can use the form to relate how this will assist you in your career as a dietitian and in the course.

10. Do I need to get a distinction average for my tertiary studies to apply as a non-school leaver?

As entry into this course is very competitive, you will need to achieve at least a distinction (70) average to be considered for entry into the course. This will be taken into account with the information that you supply on the Monash Supplementary Information Form (completed and submitted when you apply through the Victoria Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)). Short listed applicants will be interviewed in December.

11. I didn’t get the ENTER score required so what are the alternative pathways to get into BND course?

You will need to start a tertiary course, such as, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Biomedical Science from Monash or similar courses from any other university.  You may like to consider courses in Nutrition and Food Technology, Food Sciences, Applied Sciences in Nutrition from other universities. Once you have completed one year of tertiary study, you could then re-apply through VTAC (if you have studied at another institution) for 1st year entry or you could complete the degree and apply for postgraduate entry at an institution that offers this for nutrition and dietetics.

If you study another course at Monash, you can apply for a course transfer to the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. You do not have to apply through VTAC. Please refer to http://www.med.monash.edu.au/nutrition-dietetics/entry/index.html for more information.

At this stage, it is unlikely that Graduate Entry into the third year of the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Monash will be available after 2010 as the curriculum and structure of the course is altering and this may not allow for entry at the third year stage in the course.

12. Does my UMAT score count towards my TER?

No, only the ENTER and the Monash Supplementary Information Form is used to select school leavers into first year of the course.

13. What is the clearly-in ENTER score for the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics course?

There is no clearly-in ENTER for the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. This is due to the fact that both the ENTER and the responses on the Monash Supplementary Information Form are taken into account in selection for the course. As an indication, applicants who achieve an ENTER of 93 or above with good responses on the Monash Supplementary Information Form will be considered for entry into the course. Selection is highly competitive and this score may alter depending on the cohort of applicants for any given year.

14. Can I start a nutrition course at another university then transfer into second year?

Yes, you are most welcome to apply through VTAC.  You may be eligible to receive credit for subjects already studied.  This will be assessed if you are accepted into the course and there is no guarantee that you will go straight into second year. You may have to do a combination of first and second year units in order to progress in the course.

15. I have already started an unrelated degree and now wish to transfer into dietetics. Can I do this?

Yes, as long you meet the prerequisites for English and Chemistry – year 12 units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 35 in English (ESL) OR 30 in any other English and a study score of at least 30 in Chemistry. The pre-requisites are applicable to all applicants (school leavers and non school leaver applicants).

16. Do I need to complete the supplementary form?

It is absolutely mandatory that you complete the supplementary form by the due date. 
Please visit our website for more information at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/nutrition-dietetics/entry/index.html

17. What happens if I don’t submit the supplementary form by the due date?

Unfortunately, we are not able to consider your application for a place in the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics.

18. If I select a lower preference for the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics through VTAC, do I jeopardise my chances of being accepted in this course compared to others who may have put high preference for Nutrition and Dietetics?

Any applicant who applies through VTAC gets considered by his/her ENTER, not by preference.  Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you put Nutrition and Dietetics as your 5th preference compared to someone with low enter score and puts Nutrition and Dietetics as 1st preference.

19. If I have already completed a year of study at another University in a similar course, do I get credit for those subjects/units? Do I need to apply for this?

You will need to apply for credit for subjects/units from your previous tertiary study during the enrolment period and depending on the units we may or may not be able to give you credits.

20. If I am unsuccessful in getting a place in the Graduate Entry program, would you consider me to start from 1st year automatically?

No, you need to indicate on the supplementary form that you would also like to be considered as a first year student.

21. What are the prerequisites for Grad Entry from 3rd year?

You will need to have successfully completed the following: 2nd year human biochemistry 2nd year human physiology A human nutrition science subject at tertiary level  The above pre-requisite subjects need to cover the following topics: Role and metabolic function of nutrients – energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, alcohol, fibre, water, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and trace elements – in human metabolism, including effects of deficiency and toxicity and food sources Role and function of major body systems including gastro intestinal tract (GIT), cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, immune and endocrine.

22. Do you offer Graduate Entry places every year?

No. There will be approximately 6-8 places available for Graduate Entry in 2010.

23. Do you interview all applicants or only Non School Leavers?

Currently, we interview non-school and those who apply for Graduate Entry.

24. If I am short-listed for an interview and unable to attend what can I do?
    
    
Where possible, we try to do a telephone interview.  However, the selection panel prefers face to face interviews.


25. Is it mandatory to attend an interview as a non school leaver applicant (if short-listed)?

Yes, absolutely.

26. What are the fees for this course?

Please visit the following website for current fee information http://www.monash.edu.au/study/coursefinder/course/3404/

27. What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?

A 'Nutritionist' is a non-accredited title that might apply to a qualified nutrition scientist or a self-professed nutrition adviser. All dietitians can call themselves nutritionists if they choose because they have University qualifications in nutrition. These qualifications generally consist of a three year science degree and a 2 year Masters degree in nutrition and dietetics. As well as being qualified to advise individuals and groups on nutrition-related matters, dietitians have the clinical training to modify diets to treat disease conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, renal disease, gastro-intestinal diseases and food allergy. Dietitians are eligible for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia and to participate in the Accredited Practicing Dietitians (APD) regulation and quality program.