Your Comprehensive Guide to a Nutrition & Dietetics Courses After 12th

Are you someone who likes helping people? Do you like researching food and its benefits? Do you read every little detail on the label before buying a packet of chips? A degree in Nutrition might be a good career for you then. You would be able to explore food science, and food safety, learn anatomy and physiology, be able to prepare customized diet plans, and much more.

From maintaining a healthy lifestyle to aiding in a better future for the public healthcare system, a nutrition and dietetics course offers it all. Read ahead to find out more about courses you can join after graduating high school.

Why a Nutrition and Dietetics Course?

A course is the best way to kickstart a career in Nutrition and Dietetics. The structured curricula help in getting an overall idea of the discipline. A systematic development of knowledge and skills prepares you for any challenge in the professional scenario. In a professional course, you would – 

• Explore basic food and nutrition, food science, human anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry.
• Understand sports nutrition, personalized diets, the role of microbiology in nutrition and dietetics, and diet therapy.
• Study public and community health policies and legal frameworks.
• Learn Food Service Management and Food Business.
• Familiarize yourself with Yoga and Ayurveda.

What are the Courses Available – Curriculum Overview

B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics 

Duration – 3 Years

Through this Nutrition and dietetics course, you will understand the fundamentals of food science and nutrition. You would learn about the human anatomy and physiology in detail and understand metabolism and immune systems. You would touch upon community health, legal frameworks surrounding it, and public healthcare systems and policies. In addition, you will also analyze personalized diets, disease prevention, planning budget meals, and creating health and fitness routines for a diverse range of people.

B.Sc. in Food Science and Nutrition 

Duration – 3 Years

Through the span of this nutrition degree, you would explore a variety of related subjects including Food Chemistry, Food microbiology, Nutritional biochemistry, and human anatomy and physiology. You will study public health and nutrition, food laws across the country, and understand food quality analysis, and various food safety measures. Through practical sessions and internships, you will get an idea of how food labs work and what goes behind quality checks in different packaged food products. 

B.Sc. in Applied Nutrition 

Duration – 3 Years

This course is a blend of all the theoretical knowledge and skills you will need as a practising nutritionist. The theory subjects include dietetics, physiology, food chemistry, and nutritional biochemistry. As a part of practical papers, you would explore meal management, food service management, food safety and security, and public health and disease prevention. 

Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics 

Duration – 1-2 years

A diploma course in nutrition and dietetics provides a brief introduction to the basic components of the discipline. Throughout the course, you will study subjects like food science, nutritional biochemistry, anatomy, and physiology. You will also explore F&B management, disease mitigation, customizing diets, and more.

Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education

Duration – 1 Year

It is a comprehensive course that provides detailed knowledge of balanced diets, macronutrients, meal planning, food safety and budgeting, and effective use of food resources. The course also focuses extensively on public healthcare and disease prevention. This involves an understanding of malnutrition, foodborne infections, public health and hygiene, and environmental safety and sanitation. 

Eligibility Criteria

To enrol in an Undergraduate degree or diploma course in Nutrition and Dietetics, you need to meet the following criteria.

• Complete 10+2 from a recognized board.
• Your +2 Subject combination should include Chemistry and Biology.
• Score a minimum of 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA.

Upon meeting these criteria, you will need to appear in a written entrance test or a desk interview. The seats are allocated through a rank-based merit system.

Fee Structures

The fee structure can vary from one institute to another based on many factors like infrastructure, course duration, practical assignments, and so on. 

Course	Duration in Years	Total Course Fee Range in INR – ₹
B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics	3	7,000 – 95,000
B.Sc. in Food Science and Nutrition	3	10,000 – 2,50,000
B.Sc. in Applied Nutrition	3	10,000 – 3,00,000
Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics	1-2	5,000 – 1,50,000
Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education	1	5,000 – 50,000

Job Opportunities and Salary Structures 

Once you have completed your graduation in Nutrition and dietetics or related subjects, you can apply for a number of jobs out there. Although the pay varies based on the nature of the job, a fresh graduate can earn around ₹3,00,000 to ₹6,00,000 LPA.

Job Titles	Entry-level salary in INR (₹) Per Annum
Nutritionist	2,80,000  – 4,20,000
Dietitian	2,80,000 – 4,80,000
Sports Nutritionist	4,00,000 – 6,00,000
Dietary Aide	2,30,000 – 3,80,000
Health and Wellness Coach	2,00,000 – 5,00,000
Weight Management Advisor	1,50,000 – 3,00,000
Assistant Dietitian	2,00,000 – 3,00,000
Food Service Dietitian	2,60,000 – 3,00,000
Community Dietitian	2,80,000 – 3,50,000
Business Dietitian	2,80,000 – 3,00,000

Key Takeaways 

A career in nutrition will make way for positive changes in your life and society. You can work in many job roles, help in grassroots-level planning, and contribute toward a bigger cause. With the right course, you can explore the discipline’s multiple opportunities and work closely with the experts for a better future. 

AAFT’s Bachelor’s Degree course in Nutrition and Dietetics is a step towards this. With expert-designed curricula and hands-on training, students learn all the necessary tips to excel in their careers.