Nutrition and Dietetics

As a graduate, you can expect a variety of tasks in the nutritional counselling team: you can lead interprofessional quality and research projects, develop new treatment pathways and promote team development. Would you like to advise specific groups of people, e.g. in the field of sports nutrition or food intolerances? As part of the Master's degree programme, you have the opportunity to have a suitable CAS or specialist courses in your area of specialisation recognised for in-depth study. The Advanced Practice Dietitian module supports you in developing new programmes in your target area.

As a prospective «Advanced Practice Dietitian» or specialist/therapy expert, you play a central role in healthcare, either in an inpatient or outpatient setting. The Master's degree programme has provided you with the necessary foundations to master challenging nutritional medicine and ethically complex situations in an interprofessional team. You will also have expanded your methodological and research skills in order to initiate your own projects and research plans.

Be the future of nutrition research: with the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, you can work in research institutions, contribute to nutrition research in Switzerland and/or start a doctoral programme. The Master's programme teaches you research methods, research management and knowledge of the Swiss healthcare system. You can realise your first own projects in transfer modules and the Master's thesis.

Would you like to contribute to health promotion and prevention in nutrition as a project manager/employee? In the Master's degree programme, you can build up the necessary skills for this: in selected modules you will deepen your knowledge in the field and in the research modules you will expand your methodological expertise. You will use the Advanced Practice Dietitian module to develop a new programme in your target area.

Do you want to pass on your knowledge in teaching? At universities, educational establishments and other institutions, you will ensure high-quality training and further education in the field of nutrition and dietetics. The Master's programme gives you the tools you need to do this. You can gain your first teaching experience as part of a transfer module.

Get started in the private sector: whether in the food, pharmaceutical or start-up industry - with your specialist knowledge and skills, e.g. in clinical nutrition, leadership, research methodology or digitalisation, you are ideally prepared for your new role. Make your first contacts in the transfer module and choose a topic for your Master's thesis that is particularly relevant to the private sector.

In this module group, you will deepen your knowledge on the following topics:

• Nutritional assessment
• Clinical nutrition
• The role of an advanced practice dietitian

In this module group, you will deepen your knowledge on the following topics:

• Research methods 1 and 2 
• Applied statistics
• Research planning

You will complete the modules together with other master’s students in the Health Professions Department and expand your knowledge on the following topics: 

• Applied ethics 
• Advanced practice
• Philosophy of science for health professions

In the Transfer module group, you will specialise in your own focus areas. You will carry out practical project work, gain teaching experience or work on a topic in the area of research or clinical practice. You will also have the opportunity to dive deeper into your own topic in cooperation with a practice partner.

In this module, you will complete your master’s thesis. You will work independently on a scientific topic in the area of nutrition and dietetics. As part of your master’s thesis, you will apply appropriate scientific research methods, carry out empirical research, reflect on the results and derive practical and professional recommendations.

The languages of instruction are German and English. You must demonstrate very good oral and written skills in both languages (German level C1 and English level B). 

We check the qualifications of foreign applicants individually.

International diplomas must be recognised by the Swiss Red Cross before you can work in a regulated healthcare profession in Switzerland.

• Have foreign diplomas recognised (redcross.ch)

The requirement for recognition by the Swiss Red Cross may be waived.

Information for international students

• Study at BFH 

• Living in Switzerland 

The Swiss education system is designed to be open and facilitate all students’ learning. Depending on your educational background, you may also be admitted to the programme with a comparable bachelor’s degree. Please make an appointment for a consultation with the Head of Degree Programme.

The ‘Reasonable accommodations’ form allows applicants with a mental or physical illness or disability to apply for reasonable accommodations to be made with regard to the aptitude assessment.

Aptitude assessment fee

The aptitude assessment costs CHF 200.