Nutrition and Dietetics

Year-long Rural Immersion Program

Nutrition and dietetics students are required to complete multiple placement blocks during their final year. Our year-long option lets University of Newcastle students complete their final year academic coursework and placements while based in Tamworth, Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour. When you’re not on placement, you’ll continue to complete your normal course work from your rural location.

Our students have access to on-site academic support, subsidised accommodation, and interprofessional learning and community engagement activities.

Gain specialised experience

Hone your skills in a specialist area—and gain interprofessional experience too. Alongside the Dietetics Department at Tamworth Hospital, you can work in areas such as diabetes, renal, rehabilitation, healthy eating, and paediatrics. The Department employs a team-teaching approach to clinical dietetic placements, with small groups of two to three students each.

Professional practice placements:

• 4th year clinical, food service and community (community placements could include cardiac rehabilitation, diabetes and healthy eating, and renal)

Funding support

You may be entitled to a scholarship or grant to assist your studies, such as Health Education and Training scholarships or the University of Newcastle’s Betty Josephine Fyffe Rural Health Scholarships. To find out more, talk with your university on application.

How to apply

Rural placement block: University of Newcastle students must nominate their desired placement locations through the placement portal, “SONIA”. Each university has its own placement portal. If you are studying at another university, please consult your university for more information.

Year-long program: Email uondrh-placements@newcastle.edu.au to complete an online expression of interest form, then follow the instructions from the academic.

Once you have your placement (year-long or block), you will need to register with us via our placement portal to access community and accommodation support.