BSc (Hons) Dietetics student, Bess Bradfield, tells us what inspired her career change and return to education, as well as what she's enjoyed the most about her first year of studying as an RD2B (registered dietitian to be) at Leeds Beckett.

Course: BSc (Hons) Dietetics

Tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to your course.

Before studying dietetics, I had a rewarding career in publishing, including writing student textbooks. However, I increasingly wanted to focus more on helping and working with others, as well as finding new challenges.

When one of my children was diagnosed with coeliac disease, I was inspired by how the dietitians involved helped us to make sustainable lifestyle changes as a family - even down to tips on eating out.

Another unexpected benefit was an ‘aha’ moment: could dietetics be the career I was looking for? I had always been interested in the relationships between food, health, and wellbeing.

A career in dietetics could enable me to build on my experience in communication and education, while developing many new skills to support others with their diet and health.

As I hadn’t formally studied science since I was 16, I signed up to an Access to HE Science course to begin my journey.

What made you choose Leeds Beckett?

A critical factor for me when making my decision about where to study was hearing numerous positive recommendations from current students and former graduates.

The BSc (Hons) Dietetics programme at Leeds Beckett has a great reputation for the quality of the teaching, facilities, and placement opportunities on offer; but also for its inclusive atmosphere. I was also relieved to hear I wouldn’t be the odd one out as a mature student with children.

I felt very confident a undergraduate degree in dietetics would offer me an excellent foundation for a new career in the subject area. As I needed to commute while studying, the excellent transport links to Leeds and the university campus were an extra bonus.

Have you completed a placement? How did you find it?

At the end of my first year, I completed a placement with the NHS. This was a really valuable early opportunity to discover how the course theory integrates with practice.

What has been your favourite thing about your time studying at Leeds Beckett?

The course is fascinating, varied, and challenging – in a good way. Although it’s hard to choose a favourite thing, I’ve found both tutors and students on my course to be welcoming and supportive, and I was happy to discover that my friendly and eclectic peer group shared a diverse mix of ages, backgrounds, views, and skills.

While being a great way to meet interesting people; sharing and hearing different perspectives and experiences has also enriched my learning and will hopefully enhance the care I can offer patients in the future.

What advice would you give someone thinking about studying your course?

It’s fantastic that you’re thinking of studying dietetics at Leeds Beckett. You can find out more about the course from the Leeds Beckett website and upcoming open days, as well as the British Dietetic Association (BDA) website – which offers useful resources for exploring dietetics as a career more generally.

The course is demanding at times, but it will also give you lots of opportunities to grow and discover new interests and strengths that might surprise you. The department team are very helpful and approachable, as well as passionate about dietetics, so don’t hesitate to ask questions or for advice.

I’ve had a really inspiring first year and I would recommend the BSc (Hons) Dietetics course at Leeds Beckett to anyone else hoping to become an RD2B.