What is the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics?
The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics is a discipline that aims to create nutrition programs to protect human health, organize nutrition plans to combat diseases, and improve public health. Students studying in this department specialize in subjects such as nutrition sciences, food chemistry, clinical dietetics, and metabolism.
In Which Universities Does the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Exist?
Many public and foundation universities in Turkey offer Nutrition and Dietetics programs. Here are some of the best universities:
|
University
|
City | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Hacettepe University | Ankara | Turkish / English |
| Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa | Istanbul | Turkish |
| Ankara University | Ankara | Turkish |
| Ege University | Izmir | Turkish |
| Gazi University | Ankara | Turkish |
| Marmara University | Istanbul | Turkish |
| Akdeniz University | Antalya | Turkish |
2025 Nutrition and Dietetics Salary Table
Here is a table showing the salaries of Nutrition and Dietetics graduates in USD as of 2024 (calculated as 1 USD ≈ 32 TL):
| University | City | Language of Instruction |
|---|---|---|
| Hacettepe University | Ankara | Turkish / English |
| Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa | Istanbul | Turkish |
| Ankara University | Ankara | Turkish |
| Ege University | Izmir | Turkish |
| Gazi University | Ankara | Turkish |
| Marmara University | Istanbul | Turkish |
| Akdeniz University | Antalya | Turkish |
Dietitians working in the private sector can earn much higher salaries as they gain experience. The income limit can be quite high, especially for dietitians who open their own nutrition counseling center.
Where Can Graduates of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Work?
1. Hospitals and Clinics: The Heart of Health Nutrition
What do you do?
As a dietitian in hospitals and clinics, you prepare individual nutrition plans to support patients’ treatment processes. You contribute to the recovery of patients with specialized diets for conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease or cancer.
What kind of environment?
- You can work in public hospitals, private hospitals or polyclinics.
- You move forward as a team with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Requirements:
- Knowledge of clinical nutrition (learned in training).
- Patient communication and empathy skills.
- Diploma in Dietetics is sufficient to work in Turkey; additional certificates (e.g. RD – Registered Dietitian) may be required abroad.
2. Sports Centers: The Power Behind Performance
What You Do?
You improve the performance of athletes by preparing special nutrition programs for them. You can appeal to a wide audience, from fitness enthusiasts to professional athletes.
What kind of environment?
- You work in gyms, fitness centers or professional sports clubs.
- You collaborate with coaches and physiotherapists.
Requirements:
- Additional courses on sports nutrition (e.g. ISSN Certificate) are advantageous.
- Deep knowledge of the relationship between physical activity and nutrition.
3. Food Companies: Combine Nutrition with Production
What do you do?
You will be involved in product development, quality control or nutrition labeling in the food industry. You can design healthy snacks, functional foods or diet products.
What kind of environment?
- Food factories, R&D departments or quality control laboratories.
- You work with engineers and marketing teams.
Requirements:
- Knowledge of food chemistry and technology.
- Food safety certifications such as HACCP can be useful.
4. Make Your Own Path
What do you do?
You open your own office and provide private nutrition counseling to individuals or groups. You can work on weight loss, healthy living or special diets (vegan, gluten-free).
What kind of environment?
- You offer services in your own clinic or on online platforms (Zoom, Instagram).
- Work independently, build your own brand.
Requirements:
- Entrepreneurial spirit and marketing skills.
- Hands on digital tools for online counseling.
5. Academic Career: Share Science
What do you do?
You teach as a lecturer at universities and conduct research on nutrition. You train the next generation of dietitians and publish scientific articles.
What kind of environment?
- University campuses, laboratories and conferences.
- You collaborate with academics and students.
Requirements:
- Master’s and PhD (in Turkey or abroad).
- Competence in research and publication.
Extra Deals and Tips
- Public Sector: You can work in public health projects in the Ministry of Health or municipalities.
- International Organizations: You can become a nutritionist in organizations such as WHO, UNICEF (additional language and experience required).
- Certifications: Specializing in areas such as sports nutrition, pediatric dietetics increases your chances of finding a job.
Nutrition and Dietetics Education in Turkey
The program usually lasts 4 years and students take courses such as nutritional sciences, human anatomy, food chemistry and clinical dietetics. Here are the top 5 universities in Turkey that offer this program:
1. Hacettepe University
- Location: Ankara
- Language of instruction: Turkish / English
- Striking Feature: Offers extensive laboratory facilities and research opportunities.
2. Sports Centers: The Power Behind Performance
- Location: Istanbul
- Language of instruction: Turkish
- Striking Feature: It has a strong clinical and academic infrastructure. In cooperation with health institutions in Istanbul.
3. Ankara University
- Location: Ankara
- Language of instruction: Turkish
- Striking Feature: It offers an integrated education with the Faculty of Health Sciences, with a lot of practical training opportunities.
4. Ege University
- Location: Izmir
- Language of instruction: Turkish
- Striking Feature: She has a deep-rooted background in Nutrition and Dietetics and works on Mediterranean nutrition.
5. Gazi University
- Location: Ankara
- Language of instruction: Turkish
- Strong Feature: Offers strong theoretical education, practical courses and internship opportunities.
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Application Requirements
To apply to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in Turkey, certain academic criteria must be met. Here is the general framework of the application requirements:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | Graduation certificate from a Turkish or equivalent high school |
| YÖS / SAT Exam | Admission requirements for international students varying according to the university |
| Language Proficiency | TÖMER for Turkish programs, TOEFL / IELTS for English programs |
| Application Dates | Usually between May – August |
Make Your Application for Nutrition and Dietetics Programs in Turkey!
If you are interested in human health, are curious about nutrition science and want to pursue a career in this field, Nutrition and Dietetics is a great option for you! Thanks to the quality universities and affordable education opportunities in Turkey, you can easily study this department.
If you are wondering which university is right for you, you can get detailed information and support in the application process at roadtostudy.com!