Benefits
Benefits of studying an AfN Accredited Degree Programme
Selecting an Association for Nutrition Accredited Degree Programme is advantageous to students because:
- An AfN Accredited Degree Programme helps them stand out in a tough job market, and puts them at an advantage when compared to graduates who are coming from non-accredited degree programmes
- It shows they are serious about a career in nutrition, have a professional outlook, an understanding of the workplace, and are striving to achieve competences considered important by employers and others who influence careers
- Students will know that they are likely to find themselves alongside high quality faculty members and fellow students on a programme producing well-trained, professional nutritionists
- It demonstrates that the programme they have studied is rooted in a science-based tradition with a rigorous approach to evidence, the sharing of best practice and lifelong learning
- It gives them reassurance and confidence that they are gaining appropriate knowledge and skills, and engaging with competent, qualified and respected professionals
- They have the right to apply for direct entry at Registered Associate Nutritionist level to the UKVRN, which would entitle them to use the letters ANutr after their names, without having to go through the lengthy process of additional assessment that is required from graduates from degree programmes that are not accredited
- Registration with UKVRN is a mark of professionalism, and an indication of quality assuring potential employers that students graduating from an AfN Accredited Degree Programme have covered set competencies and agree to abide by our Standards of Ethics, Conduct and Performance
- Registration to the UKVRN costs less for graduates from AfN Accredited Degree Programmes, because they are not required to undergo individual assessment of their training when they register
- Graduates will gain from the Association for Nutrition’s recognition as a professional regulatory body, from its growing profile in public affairs, from its networking opportunities and from the efforts it is making to increase understanding and respect for the profession
- All this will give help to foster feelings of professional pride and identity which further enhance the profession.
See which programmes are currently accredited.
Benefits of running an AfN Accredited Degree Programme
Nutrition is a growing and competitive field today, with Universities offering a variety of nutrition degree programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Over 80 Universities currently run degree programmes that have been accredited by the Association, and this number is growing annually. With an increasing number of institutions running accredited degree programmes, it can be a disadvantage to not offer an accredited degree programme .
There are a number of benefits to running an AfN Accredited Degree Programme:
- Degree programme accreditation is a ‘mark of quality’ which will attract the keenest and brightest students to programmes that they see as well structured, organised and relevant to the profession
- The university’s place amongst the leaders within the field of nutrition education will be affirmed, as AfN Accredited Degree Programmes demonstrate success in satisfying our demanding requirements and the benchmarks of a respected quality assurance framework
- Graduates from AfN Accredited Degree Programmes have the right to apply for direct entry at Registered Associate Nutritionist level to the UKVRN, which would entitle them to use the letters ANutr after their names. Registration with UKVRN is a mark of professionalism, and an indication of quality assuring potential employers that graduates have covered set competencies, making them more employable
- Graduates will benefit from having studied an AfN Accredited Degree Programme when coming into the job market, enabling them to stand out to future employers. Having more graduates in relevant nutrition based work will help ‘final destination’ statistics, especially useful in a climate where prospective students are focussing more on their job prospects after university
- Your programme will gain recognition within the industry and amongst students and academics, through the listing of your programme on the Association for Nutrition’s rapidly-developing website and in communications with the media and employers. As accreditation demonstrates parity of esteem between nutrition and other major professions to people at the highest levels in the university, and to others who fund and promote higher education
- Running an accredited degree programme will go towards imbuing in faculty, students and graduates alike a sense of shared responsibility and collective ownership of the nutrition profession, particularly as accreditation shows commitment to professionalisation of the field and willingness to engage with the wider professional and employer community.