1. If I don’t meet the chemistry pre-requisite, what should I do?
Answer: There are several options if you want to apply for the Bachelor of Nutrition (BND) and Dietetics but do not have chemistry:

Enter a Science or Biomedical Science degree and
- Undertake a ‘year 12’ chemistry equivalent (eg. this would be World of Chemistry 1 and 2 in the Science Faculty at Monash University).
- Apply for an entry into BND at the end of your first year – either by internal transfer (if you are a Monash student), or via VTAC (if at an outside university). If you were successful in gaining a place in the course and you have completed nutrition subjects as electives, you will be able to apply for credit.

Do a bridging chemistry as a distance education subject through Open Learning Australia UNL21). NB. You MUST have a very high ENTER from your previous VCE studies to remain competitive – completing the chemistry will not guarantee an acceptance.

Do the VCE again and include Chemistry as a subject

Do Year 12 equivalent Chemistry as ‘Single Unit Enrolment’ at Monash University ie. Enrol in World of Chemistry 1 and 2 in Semester one and two.

2. If I don’t meet the chemistry prerequisite score in Year 12, can I use my 1st year tertiary degree chemistry to compensate for my chemistry marks?
Answer: Yes, you can. You will need distinction average to remain competitive for this course as a non-school leaver applicant.

3. If the VCE Chemistry subject is scaled up to 30, do I qualify to apply?
Answer: No, 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-req subjects.

4. What are the International Baccalaureate prerequisites for this course?
Answer: English and Chemistry at a minimum of four at higher level or a minimum of five at standard level.

5. As a matured age student, do I still have to meet pre-reqs for this course?
Answer: 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 pre-requisites are applicable to all applicants.

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6. Where can I work after I complete this course?
Answer: Graduates can work in a range of areas. Most new graduates will take up positions in hospital departments or in community health centres. For more information, please visit DAA website www.daa.asn.au

7. Is this qualification recognised in overseas countries?
Answer: 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).

8. How much does a new graduate from Nutrition and Dietetics earn per year?
Answer: New graduates are generally employed as a grade-one dietitian and earn around $39K in the Victorian public sector. Grade-two dietitians earn between $55K and $62K, grade-three between $63K and $73K and the top salary paid to a dietitian employed in the Victorian public sector is $93K.

9. Is there a high demand for dietitians in the job market?
Answer: Job opportunities are expected to be much higher in the next five years. 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.

10. Do I need to register with DAA?
Answer: There is no registration board for dietitians but the DAA run the APD program and there are many advantages to becoming a member of both DAA and the APD program. Please visit DAA website http://www.daa.asn.au/ for more information.

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11. Is it mandatory to have work experience to apply in the Nutrition and Dietetics course?
Answer: No, it is not mandatory. However, there are only 5 to 6 places for non school leavers each year and 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 a nutrition and dietetics related area that would be viewed positively when assessing the supplementary form.

12. Do I need to get Distinction average for my tertiary studies to apply as a non-school leaver?
Answer: It is desirable but not compulsory. However, if you are applying for Graduate Entry to start the course from 3rd year, yes, you must achieve at least a distinction average. The Department may be able to offer only 5 or 6 places for Graduate Entry and there are only 5 or 6 places available in 1st year for non school leavers, therefore, the competition is high.

13. I didn’t get the ENTER score required so what are the alternative pathways to get into BND course?
Answer: 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 such as Deakin, La Trobe, Victoria University and RMIT. Once you have completed one year of tertiary study, you could then re-apply through VTAC for 1st year entry or you could complete the degree and, then apply for graduate entry (3rd year) if you meet the pre-requisites requirements for Grad Entry. For more information on these pre-requisites, please refer to Question 27.

14. I didn’t complete year 12 and am extremely interested in becoming a dietetian. What can I do to enhance my chances to get into this course?
Answer: You must have year 12 or equivalent to be eligible for entry into the course. So you could consider the following:

Do the VCE and include Chemistry and English

Do a TAFE course which may be recognised by some universities to enrol

in a Science degree, Nutrition and Food Technology, Food Sciences, Applied Sciences in Nutrition from other universities such as Deakin, La Trobe, Victoria University and RMIT. Please check with the University first before you start a TAFE course so you choose the right course at TAFE to be eligible to apply for a course at a university.

Apply for entry into BND at the end of your first year of a Bachelor degree either by internal transfer if you are a Monash student, or via VTAC if at an outside university. If you are successful in gaining a place in this course and you have completed nutrition subjects as electives, you will be able to apply for credit.

15. What happens if I do not achieve a high enough TER?
Answer: you will need to study at a tertiary level enrolling in Bachelor of Science or other Nutrition and Food Technology courses at Monash or other universities and try to achieve a Distinction Average to become competitive to get into the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics course.

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16. Does my UMAT score count towards my TER?
Answer: No, only TER is used to select school leavers into 1st year.

17. What is the cut off enter score for the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics course?
Answer: We don’t publish our cut off enter score as other considerations are taken into account, such as, the supplementary form. It is a competitive course to get into, therefore, you need to have high enter score (such as, 94 and up). This indicative enter score may change from year to year depending on demand.

18. If I don’t have the high TER to get into this course, can I study in Bachelor of Science at Monash or at another university and apply to transfer in the Nutrition and Dietetics course?
Answer: Yes, if you are studying at Monash University then you will need to complete an internal transfer application form and a supplementary form. If you are studying at another university then you will need to apply through VTAC and must complete the supplementary form by the due date. All entry requirements are the same for a Monash internal applicant and an applicant from another university.

19. If I am applying for a transfer from another university through VTAC, am I in a disadvantageous position compared to Monash internal students?
Answer: No, your application will be treated exactly the same way as one from a Monash University applicant. The same entry qualification applies to all external and internal applicants.

20. Can I start a nutrition course at another university then transfer into second year?
Answer: Yes, you are most welcome to apply through VTAC. You may be eligible to receive Credit (Advanced Standing) for subjects already studied. This will be assessed if you accepted into the course.

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21. I have already started an unrelated degree and now wish to transfer into dietetics. Can I do this?
Answer: Yes, as long you 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. The pre-requisites are applicable to all applicants (school leavers and non school leavers’ applicants).

22. Do I need to complete the supplementary form?
Answer: Yes, it is absolutely mandatory that you complete the supplementary form by the due date. Please visit our website for more information: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/nutrition-dietetics/entry/index.html

23. What happens if I don’t submit the supplementary form by the due date?
Answer: Unfortunately, we are not able to consider your application for a place in the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics.

24. 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?
Answer: Any applicant who applies through VTAC gets considered by his/her TER, 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.

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

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26. If I am unsuccessful in getting a place in the Graduate Entry program, would you consider me to start from 1st year automatically?
Answer: No, you need to indicate on the supplementary form that you would also like to be considered as a first year student.

27. What are the prerequisites for Grad Entry from 3rd year?
Answer:

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.

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28. Do you offer Graduate Entry places every year?
Answer: No. You will need to check with the Department on 03 9594 5510 each year by May/June to find out if Graduate Entry places are offered in a particular year.

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29. Do you interview all applicants or only Non School Leavers?
Answer: Currently, we are only interviewing Non School Leavers and those who apply for Graduate Entry.

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

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31. Is it mandatory to attend an interview as a non school leaver applicant (if short-listed)?
Answer. Yes, absolutely.

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32. What are the fees for this course?
Answer: Please visit the following website for current fee information
http://www.monash.edu.au/study/coursefinder/course/3404/

33. What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?
Answer: '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 Practising Dietitians (APD) regulation and quality program.

Essentially, a dietitian has qualifications that allow them to deal
with treatment of diseases whereas a nutritionist doesn't. Both should have basic nutrition qualifications.

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Further Information

Nutrition and Dietetics Unit
Department of Medicine Level 5 Block E MMC
246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168
Telephone +613 9594 5510
Fax + 613 9594 6509
Graduate Entry enquiry