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BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Course, Eligibility, Subjects, Colleges, Jobs, Scope 2024

Course

Simran Kaur

Updated on 11th December, 2023 , 9 min read

What is BSc Nutrition and Dietetics?

The full form of BSc Nutrition and Dietetics is a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. It is a popular three-year-long undergraduate program in India.

Also Read: MSc Nutrition and Dietetics

It focuses on the study of food, balanced diet, food management, nutrition, and its relationship with health and disease. The number of health-conscious individuals has grown drastically in the past few years, which has led to an increase in the demand for this course.  

The eligibility criteria for BSc Nutrition and Dietetics is that a candidate must have cleared 10+2 or its equivalent in the science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English are mandatory subjects) with a minimum of 50% marks.

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics admission is generally done through Merit with very few institutions opting for Entrance. The Entrance exams for this course are NPAT, SET, CUCET and CUET.

Also Read: BSc Courses after 12th

Some of the top colleges that offer BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics are Mount Carmel College, Lovely Professional University, Chandigarh University, RVS College of Arts and Science and Amity University.

The average fee for BSc Nutrition and Dietetics ranges anywhere from INR 50,000 to INR 2 LPA.

The syllabus of BSc Nutrition and Dietetics includes subjects such as Biochemistry, Food Microbiology, Clinical Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality Control, and Food Service Management.  

BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics scope includes Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (M.Sc Nutrition and Dietetics) for further studies.  

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics jobs include Clinical Nutritionist/Dietitian, Food Service Manager, Health and Wellness Coach, Nutrition Educator and Food Technologist. The average salary graduates earn after clearing this course is up to INR 5 LPA.

More BSc Courses:

BSc Horticulture

BSc Forensic Science

BSc Geography

BSc Honours

BSc Biology

BSc Zoology

BSc Nursing

BSc Sports Management

BSc Biotechnology

BSc Agriculture

BSc Fashion Designing

BSc Microbiology

BSc Psychology

BSc Environmental Science

BSc Genetics

BSc IT

BSc Computer Science

BSc Anthropology

BSc Electronics

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BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Course Details

Details

Particulars

Course Name

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics

Course Level

Undergraduate

Course Full Form

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

Course Duration

3 Years

Course Types

Full-time and Distance Education

Admission Process

Primarily Merit Based

Eligibility Criteria

10+2 or its equivalent in the science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English are mandatory subjects) with a minimum of 50% marks.

Entrance Exams

NPAT, SET, CUCET and CUET.

Course Fees

INR 50,000 – 2 LPA

Top Colleges

Mount Carmel College, Lovely Professional University, Chandigarh University, RVS College of Arts and Science and Amity University.

Average Salary in India

INR 2 – 5 LPA

Job Profiles

Clinical Nutritionist/Dietitian, Food Service Manager, Food Quality Manager, Health and Wellness Coach, Nutrition Educator, and Food Technologist.

Top Recruiters

Apollo Hospitals, Abbott, Max Healthcare, VLCC, Nestle and P&G.

 bsc-nutrition-and-dietetics

Why Should you pursue BSc Nutrition and Dietetics? 

  • Growing Demand: The demand for qualified nutritionists and dieticians is rapidly increasing as people are becoming more health-conscious and aware of the impact of their food choices on their overall well-being.  
  • Impactful Career: As a graduate in BSc Nutrition and Dietetics, an individual makes a significant impact on people's lives by helping them in eating healthy and managing conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.  
  • Personal Health Benefits: This course is designed to provide a deeper understanding of food in maintaining health and preventing disease, which can be applied to a graduate's life and the lives of their loved ones. 

Who Should pursue BSc Nutrition and Dietetics? 

Anyone with a keen interest in food, nutrition and healthy living can pursue BSc Nutrition and Dietetics, however it's well suited for: 

  • Students who completed their 10+2 or its equivalent in the science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English are mandatory subjects) with a minimum of 50% marks.
  • Individuals interested in the field of nutrition and dietetics, such as becoming a dietitian, nutritionist, food quality manager, or health and wellness coach. 
  • Individuals who desire to work in the food and beverage or food processing companies. 

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Course Types  

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics is offered to students in two modes that can be pursued full-time or via distance education.  

  • Full-time BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: This course is designed in a systematic way and provides both theoretical and practical knowledge to the students. To build a strong foundation in BSc Nutrition and Dietetics, various aspects of nutrition and dietetics are taught such as clinical nutrition, food service management, community nutrition, and food science.  
  • Distance BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: This option is available for students who cannot pursue this course on a full-time basis and require flexibility in choosing their study time. A candidate with this degree gets the same career opportunities as a regular student but this method of learning might not provide practical knowledge and focus heavily on theory. 

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Course Fees  

Some of the top Colleges/Universities offering BSc Nutrition and Dietetics full-time along with their fees is given below: 

College/University Name

College Location

Average Course Fees

Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women

Tamil Nadu

INR 1,11,000

Mount Carmel College

Karnataka

INR 1,26,000

RVS College of Arts and Science

Tamil Nadu

INR 1,56,000

Andhra University

Andhra Pradesh

INR 2,30,000

Lovely Professional University

Punjab

INR 2,86,000

SGT University

Haryana

INR 3,13,000

Chandigarh University

Chandigarh

INR 3,14,000

Shoolini University

Himachal Pradesh

INR 3,48,000

Manav Rachna International University

Haryana

INR 4,08,000

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Distance Education

Some of the top Colleges/Universities offering BSc Nutrition and Dietetics via distance education along with their fees is given below: 

College/University Name

College Location

Average Course Fees

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Delhi NCR

INR 2,000

Annamalai University

Tamil Nadu

INR 4,350

Tamil Nadu Open University

Tamil Nadu

INR 4,500

Bharathiar University

Tamil Nadu

INR 8,350

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Admission Process 

It is highly recommended that aspirants score well in their high school examinations because admission into this course is mainly done through merit lists as there are no recognized and specific entrance exams for BSc Nutrition and Dietetics. However, some universities do conduct one at their college level to select candidates.   

The admission process for a BSc Nutrition and Dietetics degree in India may vary slightly from university to university. However, here is a general outline of the admission process a candidate can expect: 

Application Procedure: The first step is applying to the desired college through their official website or by physically visiting the institution and filling out the application form. Make sure to check the eligibility criteria and have all the required documents (10th and 12th Certificates, Aadhar Card, Photographs etc.) in hand.  

Merit Lists and Counselling: Merit lists are usually updated on the official website of the colleges and need to be checked regularly by the aspirant. Candidates must attend the counseling or orientation organised by the institution for further details, if selected from the merit list.  

Document Verification and Payment of Fees: The next step would ideally be document verification which helps the college in verifying a candidate's credentials. Once the documents have been confirmed, the aspirant can pay the required fees and the admission process will be complete.  

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Eligibility   

To be eligible for this course, a candidate must fulfill the following mandatory criteria:

  • 10+2 or its equivalent in the science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English are mandatory subjects) with a minimum of 50% marks for BSc Nutrition and Dietetics full-time.
  • 10+2 or its equivalent in the science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English are mandatory subjects) with a minimum of 45% marks for BSc Nutrition and Dietetics distance education.
  • The minimum age for this course is 17 years.

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Entrance Exams 

There is no distinct entrance exam conducted for BSc Nutrition and Dietetics because admission into this course is done through merit taking into consideration the marks scored by candidates in their high school. Nevertheless, some universities conduct one at their level to filter out applicants. 

Given below are the details of some of the entrance exams conducted by various universities along with their details: 

Name of the Exam

Registration Date

Exam Dates

SET

December 10 – April 12, 2023

May 06, 2023 (Test 1)   
May 14, 2023 (Test 2)

CUCET

November 28 - May 30, 2023

November 28 - May 30, 2023

CUET

April 2023

May 21 – 31, 2023

NPAT

December 01, 2022 – May 21, 2023

January 04, 2023 – May 31, 2023

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Subjects

The course is divided into 6 Semesters and the list of the various subjects in the course, is listed below:

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: 1st Year Subjects

Semester 1

Semester 2

Soft Skills and Communication Skills

Public Health and Nutrition

Human Physiology

Human Nutrition

Food and Nutrition

Mother and Child Health

Food Chemistry

Nutritional Biochemistry

 

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics Subjects: 2nd Year Subjects

Semester 3

Semester 4

Food Microbiology

Introduction to Food Science

Family Meal and Diet Planning

Science of Bakery and Confectionery

Food Quality Analysis

Introduction to Food Preservation

Food Industry Management

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BSc Nutrition and Dietetics Subjects: 3rd Year Subjects

Semester 5

Semester 6

Nutritional Ethics

Food Biotechnology

Introduction to Dietetics

Dietetics 2

Food Packaging and Marketing Management

Food Service Management

Food Processing Operations and Management

Diet and Patient Counseling

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Recommend Books  

Given below are the names of some recognized books along with their authors in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics that a candidate must read to gain further knowledge in the course: 

Name of the Book

Author's Name

Nutrition and Dietetics: Principles and Practice

B. Srilakshmi

Practical Dietetics

B. Srilakshmi

Clinical Nutrition

P. L. Malhotra

Human Nutrition

Catherine Geissler and Hilary Powers

Clinical Nutrition: An Indian Perspective

Jyoti Bhatt and Pooja Jaiswal

Nutritional Biochemistry

Tom Brody

Manual of Dietetic Practice

Briony Thomas and Jacki Bishop

Indian Dietetics and Nutrition

N. N. Mathur

Nutrition and Dietetics for Health Care Professionals

Anjana Bhargava

Foods and Nutrition

M. Swaminathan

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Scope 

The scope of BSc Nutrition and Dietetics is immense,,  as this field is currently growing at a fast pace because more and more individuals are understanding the importance of health and fitness through balanced eating habits. This gives aspirants various fields to pursue such as:  

Job Profile

Description

Clinical Nutritionist/Dietician

Clinical Nutritionist/Dieticians work in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare institutions to assess patients' nutritional needs and develop meal plans to help them manage their various conditions.

Food Scientist

Food scientists work in the food industry to develop and test new food products, as well as ensure that the products meet nutritional and safety standards.

Sports Nutritionist

Sports nutritionists work with athletes to design dietary plans to optimize their performance and promote recovery after training or injury.

Public Health Specialist

Public health specialists work with government health departments to develop and implement public health policies related to nutrition and dietetics.

Food Quality Manager

Food quality managers are responsible for ensuring that the food products meet the safety and quality standards set by the Indian government.

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Jobs  

Graduates in BSc Nutrition and Dietetics are eligible and can apply to both private and government sectors after the completion of their course. A detailed list of some of the recruiters in both the areas is given below: 

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Government Jobs 

There are various government agencies that graduates can apply to once the course is over. These agencies employ nutritionists and dietitians to develop policies and programs related to nutrition, healthy living, fitness programs, managing sickness and diseases, food safety, and the overall quality of food in India. Candidates should regularly check the official websites of each agency for further details. 

Name of the Government Agency

Average Salary

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

INR 6.8 - 9 LPA

State Public Health Departments

INR 9 LPA

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

INR 5.2 LPA

National Institute of Nutrition

INR 4.4 LPA

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Private Jobs 

There are numerous private companies that hire fresh graduates who have a BSc Nutrition and Dietetics degree. Given below is a list of top recruiters in the private sector: 

Name of the Company

Average Salary

VLCC Health Care Ltd.

INR 2 – 3 LPA

Fortis Hospitals

INR 2 – 4 LPA

Apollo Hospitals

INR 2.8 – 4 LPA

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)

INR 3 – 5 LPA

Pfizer India

INR 2 – 5 LPA

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer

INR 3 – 5 LPA

Nestle India

INR 2.3 – 6 LPA

Max Healthcare

INR 2 – 3 LPA

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Salary in India 

Some of the top job profiles for graduates in this field along with respective salaries is given below: 

Job Profile

Average Annual Salary

Food Service Manager

INR 1.5 – 2 LPA

Food Quality Manager

INR 1.5 – 3 LPA

Clinical Nutritionist/Dietitian

INR 2– 3 LPA

Nutrition Educator

INR 2 – 3 LPA

Marketing Manager

INR 4 – 6 LPA

Research and Development Manager

INR 4 – 6 LPA

 bsc-nutrition-and-dietetics-salary-in-india

Further Reading: Jobs and Salary after BSc Course 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does BSc Nutrition require NEET?

No. NEET is a qualifying test for MBBS and BDS and is not required when taking admission in B.Sc Nutrition and Dietetics.

Can I get a job after BSc nutrition?

Yes. Graduates in B.Sc Nutrition and Dietetics are eligible and can apply to both private and government sectors after the completion of their course. Clinical Nutritionist/Dietitian, Food Service Manager, Food Quality Manager, Health and Wellness Coach, Nutrition Educator, and Food Technologist are some of the job profiles in this field.

Is Maths compulsory in BSc Nutrition?

No. Maths is not compulsory to be eligible for this course, but Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English are mandatory subjects.

Is nutritionist in demand?

Yes. The field of nutrition and dietetics is heavily in demand today because the number of health-conscious individuals has grown drastically in the past few years who understand that healthy living goes hand in hand with good eating habits.

How many years is BSc nutrition?

This is an undergraduate program that lasts for 3 years.

Does IGNOU offer courses in Bsc Nutrition?

Yes. IGNOU offers a diploma, certificate, and master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics.

What is the highest-paid salary for a nutritionist in India?

The highest salary of a nutritionist in India is INR 5.8 Lakhs - INR 7 Lakhs.

Is a nutritionist a doctor?

No. Nutritionists are not doctors because they are not qualified practitioners of medicine.

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