Difference between a Bachelor of Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition

A nutrition degree at Torrens University Australia helps prepare students to contribute to this expanding sector by giving them an evidence-based grounding in how food shapes our wellbeing.

But there are several paths into the profession and it’s important to understand the difference between Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition when deciding which course is right for you.

We spoke with Associate Professor Teresa Mitchell-Paterson, about how to select the best degree for your future aspirations.

What is the main difference between a Bachelor of Nutrition and Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition)?

These two degrees are both delivered in trimesters, with students undertaking eight subjects per year over three years when studying full-time.

The Bachelor of Nutrition

The Bachelor of Nutrition is an online-only course which focuses on subjects related to health science and nutrition in a public health setting. This course focuses on community and public health nutrition interventions and provides a solid foundation for developing Public Health Nutrition programs. Graduates from this degree could call themselves a nutritionist, or they might go into the field of health promotion.

The Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition)

The Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition) looks more closely at the science behind the different components of food and how food affects disease pathology. Students in this degree focus on health science as well as diagnostics, and there is a stronger focus on working one-on-one with individual patients to support their nutrition needs.

The degree is a blended course delivery, with some subjects online and the majority in person. There are preclinical studies subjects in this degree that start preparing students in a class simulation scenario, before they go into clinical practicum and start looking after the general public.

The career outcomes of a Nutrition degree

Demand for clinical nutritionists has increased significantly in recent years, and there is a big scope of roles available. You may find a clinical nutritionist working in the media, the health food industry, regulating or formulating food products, or in private practice. Some of our graduates have gone straight into practices that employ clinical nutritionists and have found a job that way.

What is a nutritionist?

The Bachelor of Nutrition prepares you for a range of careers in Nutrition, with a focus on population health, nutrition-related health promotion and disease prevention in community settings. Nutritionists, also known as nutrition scientists, use food knowledge and established nutritional evidence to advocate for change, provide nutritional advice and communicate information that promotes health. Nutritionists can register with the Nutrition Society of Australia.

The role of a nutritionist

Graduates from this course are eligible for roles in community nutrition, food sustainability, health promotion and advocacy. You can be employed to work for nutrition-related organisations (corporate and not-for-profit), the food industry, government departments and community groups. Torrens University prepares students for these roles. With a Bachelor of Nutrition, you will have the opportunity to gain job-ready skills through an online industry live brief scenario.

How much does a nutritionist make?

The average annual salary for Nutritionist in Australia ranges from $75,000 to $95,000.

What is a clinical nutritionist?

Clinical nutritionists are clinically trained nutritionists. A clinical nutritionist is trained to work one-on-one with patients to help them meet their nutrition goals and requirements. Graduates of a health sciences degree in clinical nutrition can evaluate an individual’s diet to work out where there might be deficiencies and make suggestions to address this. If a patient’s pathology shows there is a nutrient deficiency, they may recommend supplements to help.

If a patient has a disease which may benefit from a nutritional element, like the omega-3 fatty acids you get from fish, a clinical nutritionist will prescribe the correct amount of fish oil to support their specific health needs.

A clinical nutritionist can register with The Australasian Association and Register of Practicing Nutritionists (AARPN).

The role of a clinical nutritionist

Clinical nutritionists can work one-on-one with patients in a private practice setting. Other roles include content creation, clinic management, research, product development, education, sales and marketing.

How much does a clinical nutritionist make?

Clinical Nutritionist average salary: $82,000 – $95,000 annually.

Nutritionist and Clinical Nutritionist comparison

When deciding which study path to pursue, it’s worth thinking about how you would most enjoy applying your knowledge of nutrition.

Nutritionist vs. Clinical Nutritionist: Which is right for you?

What is different about studying Nutrition at Torrens University?

We don’t just stand in front of the class and deliver a lecture. We expect our students to read the material and then when they come to class, we put that learned knowledge into practice.

Our students in the Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition) engage in an immersive, simulated clinical experience, where they are honing their skills – students are given feedback in a controlled environment and they can gain invaluable experience.

They then go into a dedicated clinic setting. We have wellbeing clinics in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Students undergo 360 hours of supervised clinical training in the clinic. We are the only university in Australia that does that.

It ensures that students are fully equipped for independent practice and it makes them ready to make a meaningful impact in their field.