FAQ

As a graduate of the USTP bachelor degree programme Dietetics, you graduate with the academic degree Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (BSc) and are, as such, entitled to practice a legally recognised health profession.

Dietetics is a three-year course of study at the higher education level. Based on their theoretical and practical education, dietitians are able both to treat patients suffering from various illnesses (e.g., diabetes, allergies, malnutrition, obesity) and to pursue an activity in health promotion and disease prevention.

In Austria, the profession of dietitians is regulated by the MTD Act (the federal law governing the medical-therapeutic-diagnostic healthcare professions) which defines the education, fields of activity, professional duties, and professional law aspects.

Nutrition consultants, trainers, and coaches generally complete a short training offered by various providers and can thus work in health provision. There is no uniform regulation or protected professional designation that applies. As a matter of principle, the personalised, individual counselling of persons is reserved to dietitians.

You can complete your internship at the following health facilities:

• University clinics and other hospitals
• Primary care centres
• Rehabilitation and health centres
• Geriatric facilities (e.g., long-term care, acute geriatrics)
• Scientific expert societies
• With freelance dietitians

You can also opt for an internship in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The twelve-week internship in the 6^th semester allows you to select your individual focus areas in your studies and offers you the opportunity to complete an internship abroad as well. During this time, you can not only collect valuable professional experience but also establish contacts and build a network. International internships are eligible for funding within the Erasmus programme.

Graduates of this programme have the option to 

• counsel, accompany, and support individuals, groups, and institutions within the framework of nutritional health provision and nutrition therapy.
• translate scientific guidelines into dietary recommendations that are suitable for everyday life, while taking patients’ individual needs into account at the same time.
• translate recommendations regarding energy and nutrient supply into concrete foods, dishes, and preparation methods.
• design, execute, and monitor the dietetic process in an evidence-based manner.
• carry out education and information work in the field of nutrition-specific health promotion and disease prevention.
• continually promote and further develop the quality of this professional field.

Yes, students can become involved in ongoing research projects such as, e.g., the current research project NUMOQUA. The title stands for “Nutrition and Movement to Improve Quality of Life with Knee Osteoarthritis”, and it examines the effects of the programme “Good Life with Osteoarthritis”.

It combines movement therapy with a special dietary programme for patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. Functional parameters and inflammatory status are examined and evaluated alongside quality of life.

As a student, you are involved in the research and can actively participate in the development of a special nutrition programme.

Learn more about NOMOQUA