BSc in Dietetics
The programme BSc in Dietetics aims to produce dietitians who have the scientific knowledge, skills and attitudes to function independently in the areas of therapeutic nutrition, community nutrition and foodservice management.
The training of dietitians
As a student of this programme, your studies will span four years, and you will be trained on the Tygerberg Campus from the first year. See our Calendar for the curriculum.
First-year: Chemistry for Health Sciences, Life-forms and Functions of Clinical Importance, Anatomy, Nutrition, Foods, Medical Microbiology, Physiological Biochemistry, Anatomy and Health in Context.
Second-year: Physiology, Anatomy, Food Production and Systems, Applied Food Science, Therapeutic Nutrition, Nutrition during the Life Cycle, Psychology for Health Sciences, Community Nutrition, Ethics and Human Rights, Nutritional Status Assessment, and Practical Training.
Third-year: Therapeutic Nutrition, Community Nutrition, Management Principles, Research Methodology, Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Ethics and Human Rights, and Practical Training.
Fourth-year: Food Service Management, Therapeutic Nutrition, Community Nutrition, 34-week internship (which includes a minimum of six weeks at the Ukwanda Rural Clinical School) and a research project.
Upon completion of this four-year programme you are required to do a year of community service, after which you will be eligible for registration as a dietitian with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
On graduation, you will have a wide spectrum of career choices in areas such as therapeutic dietetics, community nutrition, and the food and pharmaceutical industry. You may also work as a researcher, a lecturer in academia or a nutrition consultant in private practice. For more information about career fields within Dietetics, visit the website of the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA).
Contact information
Programme overview
More information
Career opportunities
Minimum admission requirements – NSC/ IEB
- Mathematics 50%
- Physical Sciences 50%
- Life Sciences 50%
Minimum admission requirements – International curricula
- IEB-ISC (NBTs compulsory)
- IEB-ISC aggregate of at least 60% (excluding Active Citizenry)
- Mathematics 50%
- Life Sciences 50%
- Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) 50%
- Preference will be given to South African citizens, applicants with proof of permanent residency status or those with proof of refugee or asylum seeker status in South Africa, when applicants are considered for selection.
German Abitur
- Preference will be given to South African citizens, applicants with proof of permanent residency status or those with proof of refugee or asylum seeker status in South Africa, when applicants are considered for selection.
- University Exemption with 60% average
- Maths, Biology and Chemistry or Physics 5 (Nam 7)
- Physics recommended but not required, 5 (Nam 7)
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)
- Preference will be given to South African citizens, applicants with proof of permanent residency status or those with proof of refugee or asylum seeker status in South Africa, when applicants are considered for selection.
- University Exemption with 60% average
- Maths, Chemistry and Biology 4 on HL or 5 on SL
- Physics a 4 on HL or 5 on SL, recommended but not required
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel AS-level , IGCSE/O-level
- Preference will be given to South African citizens, applicants with proof of permanent residency status or those with proof of refugee or asylum seeker status in South Africa, when applicants are considered for selection.
- University Exemption with 60% average
- Maths, Chemistry and Biology a C on AS-Level
- Physics a C on AS-level, recommended but not required
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel A-level , IGCSE/O-level
- Preference will be given to South African citizens, applicants with proof of permanent residency status or those with proof of refugee or asylum seeker status in South Africa, when applicants are considered for selection.
- University Exemption with 60% average
- Maths, Chemistry and Biology a E on A-Level
- Physics a E on A-level recommended but not required
Selection requirements
GUIDELINES FOR THE SELECTION OF BSC IN DIETETICS STUDENTS 2026 for the 2027-intake:
https://files.su.ac.za/public/undergraduate-maties/documents/2026-04/bsc-dietetics.pdf
Programme structure
Full-time
