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Quick answer
The essentials at a glance
A bachelor of nutrition in Canada is open to students from Nepal after +2 science, but only some degrees lead to the regulated job of dietitian. This page explains which Canadian degrees are accredited for dietetics, what subjects schools ask for, what a college diploma offers instead, and how practical training and registration work. Check accreditation before you apply.
Key takeaways
Main points from this page
- Nutrition is not one single course in Canada, and only accredited degrees lead toward dietitian registration.
- The University of Toronto says its BSc Nutritional Sciences does not lead to dietitian registration.
- Guelph, Toronto Metropolitan University and McGill offer accredited routes toward dietetics.
- After an accredited degree you usually need practical training and the national exam before you register.
- A nutrition degree can lead to a post-graduation work permit, but it does not give permanent residence automatically.
Can You Study Nutrition in Canada from Nepal After +2?
Yes, you can start a nutrition degree in Canada after +2 science, but the degree you pick decides whether you can become a dietitian.
Nutrition looks at food, health and how the body uses what we eat. Some degrees lead to work in food, research and public health. A few also prepare you to become a registered dietitian, which is a regulated health profession.
This guide is part of our study in Canada from Nepal series. For other degree levels, read our bachelors in Canada guide. If you also like medicine and care, compare our bachelor of nursing in Canada guide.
The word nutrition is used for many courses. Always ask one question first. Does this degree lead to dietitian registration?
- Length: usually four years for the degree, and McGill lists three and a half years for its dietetics major.
- Subjects: English, maths, biology and chemistry are common entry subjects.
- Dietitian route: needs an accredited degree and practical training.
- Colleges: a diploma leads to food service and diet technician work, not dietitian.
Does a Nutrition Degree Make You a Dietitian in Canada?
No, you also need approved practical training and a licence.
Dietitians are registered by provincial colleges. In Ontario, the College of Dietitians of Ontario asks for a degree and supervised training that it approves. Its education and training page accepts programs accredited by EQual, which Accreditation Canada runs.
The old national partnership has closed, and EQual now accredits these programs. Dietitians of Canada explains this on its accreditation page.
So there are four steps: the degree, practical training, the national exam and registration with a college.
Guelph says the training is a separate step after the degree, and places are limited.
Which Canadian Schools Can You Look At for Nutrition?
Guelph, Toronto Metropolitan University, McGill and Centennial College are good places to start.
University of Guelph
Guelph offers a BASc in Applied Human Nutrition. An area of emphasis in dietetics is accredited by EQual. After the degree you apply for a limited number of internship places.
See the Guelph program page.
Toronto Metropolitan University
TMU offers a four-year BASc in Nutrition and Food, accredited by EQual. The degree meets the academic need for its dietetics practical training program. That program is a separate step.
See the TMU program page.
McGill University
McGill offers a dietetics major in nutritional sciences. It has 40 weeks of placements, mostly in Quebec. You need a working knowledge of French and English.
See our McGill University profile and the dietetics major page.
Centennial College
Centennial offers a two-year Nutrition and Food Service Management diploma in Ontario. It leads to food service and diet technician jobs. It is not a dietitian route.
See the program page.
Which Nutrition Degrees Do Not Lead to Dietitian Registration?
Some nutrition degrees, such as the Toronto BSc in Nutritional Sciences, do not lead to registration.
Toronto says it has no accredited undergraduate dietetics program. Its undergraduate FAQ says the BSc Nutritional Sciences does not lead to registration as a dietitian. It names Brescia, Guelph, Toronto Metropolitan and Ottawa as accredited choices in Ontario.
Science students who prefer fieldwork to health work can also look at environmental science in Canada.
That does not make the Toronto degree a poor choice. It suits research, food industry and public health, and a later master’s degree. But it is not the fastest way to become a dietitian. See our University of Toronto profile.
What Are the Entry Requirements for Nutrition in Canada?
Schools usually ask for English, maths, biology and chemistry, and some add French or a high average.
Guelph lists English, maths, biology and chemistry for international applicants to Applied Human Nutrition. Its international requirements page asks for 75% in Class 12 for India. It does not list Nepal marks, so ask Guelph how it reads your NEB result.
McGill asks for all freshman science and maths entry courses for its first Stage course. It also needs a working knowledge of French, because placement sites are bilingual.
Centennial asks for an Ontario secondary diploma or equivalent, Grade 12 English, and Grade 11 maths, or its own skills tests. It also asks for English proficiency.
Use our NEB GPA calculator to check your grade. For language scores, see the minimum IELTS and PTE for Canada page. For papers, read our Canada student visa requirements guide.
How Much Does a Nutrition Course Cost in Canada?
Toronto Metropolitan University lists CAD 38,693 to 41,506 for its Nutrition and Food degree, and Centennial lists about CAD 20,216 for two semesters of its diploma.
These amounts are in Canadian dollars. Use our CAD to Rs forex converter for today’s value. The table shows what each school’s page lists.
| School and program | International fee listed | About in Rs |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Metropolitan University, Nutrition and Food BASc, full-time | CAD 38,693 to 41,506 | about Rs 42 to 45 lakh |
| Centennial, Nutrition and Food Service Management, two semesters | CAD 20,216.12 | about Rs 22 lakh |
TMU gives a range for full-time study and does not state the billing period on its program page, so ask the school what the range covers. Centennial calls its figure an estimate for two semesters. Guelph prices international students by semester, so read its tuition page for your group.
For living costs, read our cost of studying in Canada guide. For the funds you must show, see Canada proof of funds. For help with fees, see scholarships to study in Canada.
What Happens After the Degree: Training and Registration?
After the degree you finish practical training, pass the national exam and register with a college.
Guelph says its graduates compete for a limited number of internship places. Placement is not promised. The national registration exam comes after the practicum.
TMU runs its own dietetics training program. Its dietetics admission page says you must be eligible to study in Canada. It does not state how many places it has.
McGill puts 40 weeks of placements inside the major. Its page says graduates can apply for registration in any province. In Quebec, the regulator is the Ordre des diététistes-nutritionnistes du Québec.
Places are few and rules differ. Ask each school how many international students it takes into training.
Which Route Should a +2 Science Student Choose?
Choose an accredited dietetics route if you want to be a dietitian, and a broader nutrition degree if you want other jobs.
An accredited route is the clear choice for dietitian work. It still has limited training places, so keep a second plan. A broader degree keeps more doors open, such as food companies, research and public health.
A diploma is the shortest and cheapest route. It leads to food service and diet technician jobs. Some colleges list degree transfer options, which Centennial does. Ask what credit you would get before you start.
If you are unsure, compare our bachelor of pharmacy in Canada guide. It is another health route with a licence after the degree.
What Jobs Can a Nutrition Degree Lead To?
Nutrition leads to dietitian jobs for registered graduates, and to food, community health and research jobs for others.
A registered dietitian can work in hospitals, clinics and community health. Other graduates work in food companies, public health teams, schools and food service. Some continue to a master’s degree.
A college diploma leads to roles such as food service supervisor or diet technician. Centennial names hospitals, long-term care homes and catering as settings. These roles are not dietitian jobs.
Can You Work and Stay in Canada After a Nutrition Degree?
You can work up to 24 hours a week off campus while you study, and a degree can lead to a post-graduation work permit.
Read the off-campus work rules before you plan your budget. Our post-graduation work permit guide explains the permit after your degree. Centennial lists its diploma as PGWP aligned.
No course gives permanent residence on its own. Read PR pathways through education in Canada for the plain facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Guelph lists English, maths, biology and chemistry for international applicants. Check each school for its own subjects and marks.
No. You need an accredited degree, approved practical training, the national exam and registration with a provincial college.
Guelph, Toronto Metropolitan University and McGill describe accredited routes. Toronto’s BSc Nutritional Sciences is not one. Check the current list of accredited programs on the Dietitians of Canada site.
Not everywhere. McGill’s dietetics major needs a working knowledge of French and English because its placements are bilingual. Ontario schools do not list this on the pages we read.
No. A diploma, such as Centennial’s, leads to food service and diet technician work. A degree can lead toward dietitian registration if it is accredited.
No. It can lead to a post-graduation work permit, but permanent residence is a separate application.
How Can Goreto Help You Apply?
Goreto counselors help you check accreditation, pick a school and prepare your papers.
You can meet a counselor at our Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari or Pokhara branch. Visit get in touch to find the nearest office.
Sources
Reference links
Disclaimer
Important guidance note
Accreditation, entry rules and fees change, so confirm every detail on the official school and regulator pages before you apply.
