Myriam Alhilou, RD, MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate
“Hello, my name is Myriam Alhilou, and I am a Senior Dietitian currently working at Peamount Healthcare in Dublin, Ireland. I graduated from the MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics programme at University College Dublin (UCD) in 2019, and I'm delighted to share my experiences with you.
I chose the MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics programme at UCD due to its comprehensive curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical clinical placements, essential for my professional development.
The programme's evidence-based approach and strong academic reputation, combined with the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, made it the ideal choice for advancing my career in dietetics.
During my time at UCD, I had the chance to gain valuable clinical experience from working with experts across various fields, which enriched my learning beyond clinical experiences. I developed competencies in navigating challenging situations, collaborated effectively within multidisciplinary teams, and developed essential skills in nutrition assessment, intervention, and patient care. The lecturers and tutors were exceptionally supportive, fostering a learning environment that was both challenging and rewarding.
Completing my MSc at UCD has opened many doors for me. The programme prepared me to work confidently as a dietitian in diverse healthcare settings, including Elderly care, Post-surgical care, Weight management, Mental health, Pulmonary rehabilitation, Neurology rehabilitation and Rheumatology rehabilitation.
In 2023, I was honored to be shortlisted for the Exceptional Patient Experience Award, a recognition by management for outstanding patient care and service excellence.
For anyone considering the MSc Dietetics programme at UCD, I highly recommend it. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain top-tier education, practical experience, and make lifelong connections with peers and mentors. If you’re passionate about dietetics and want to build a strong foundation for your career, UCD is the place to be!”
Cillian O'Shea, RD, MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate
“I’m lucky enough to be working in the hospital where I completed my acute training and I thoroughly enjoy every day at work. I feel I make a difference in the lives of my patients and I’m constantly learning about new conditions and patient types. Within departments there is a great sense of teamwork. There are so many areas you can work in dietetics from clinical, public health, sports, research and private practice and even within those there are very different speciality areas”.
Aisling Dunphy, RD, MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate
"Over the course of my two years in UCD, I received the opportunity to meet and work with many dietitians in a diverse range of fields. As students, we learn a lot in the lecture hall, but our practical experience in the clinical setting is what provides the solid foundation and skill set for our future careers. Our time spent in the clinical setting allows us, not only to apply our clinical knowledge, but to develop key communication and interpersonal skills; competencies which require experience beyond the classroom".
Sarah Connellan, MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate
“This was an exceptional learning experience as I had the opportunity to work in a range of specialities and learn directly from dietitians who were experts in their respective fields… Throughout my placement, I was supported by the dietetics staff in SVUH as well as by my UCD placement tutor and academic staff. Weekly meetings with my placement tutor and Fridays spent at UCD where tutorials were held for the entire class were extremely useful as it gave us the opportunity to deepen our learning, discuss patient cases, reflect on our placement experiences and learn from each other”.