The BSc (Honours) in Human Nutrition at the Institute of Technology Sligo has been awarded accreditation by the Association for Nutrition (AfN). The AfN governs the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN) to distinguish nutrition practitioners who meet rigorously applied training, competence and professional practice criteria. Its purpose is to protect the public and assure the credibility of nutrition as a responsible profession. Students who entered the Human Nutrition Degree Programme from September 2020 will be eligible to apply for direct entry to the UKVRN as Registered Associate Nutritionists.
“We are absolutely delighted that our BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition has been accredited by the Association for Nutrition”, Ms Laura Keaver, a dietitian, registered public health nutritionist and programme coordinator said. “This is a practical-based course that has been designed to address relevant present day and emerging issues. Previous graduates have gone on to work in food industry, health promotion, public health, research centres and third level institutes and also to pursue further study in areas such as dietetics, sports nutrition and health promotion. UKVRN registration is increasingly being seen as a desirable criteria in job advertisements and the new accreditation status will further enhance graduate career prospects”.
IT Sligo’s Human Nutrition Degree is now one of five AfN accredited programmes offered in the Republic of Ireland. Dr Thomas Smyth, Head of the Department of Health and Nutritional Science at IT Sligo said “This is a great achievement and recognition of the hard work that has been put into developing a course that has a strong emphasis on evidence-based, current and relevant modules and experience. AfN accreditation provides assurance to students that they are gaining appropriate knowledge and skills in nutrition science under the direction of competent, qualified and respected professionals”.
IT Sligo was recently ranked top 10 in the Good University Guide and No 4 in U-Multirank, the worlds largest independent University ranking organisation.