Driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference to people's lives, Brianna McGhee has made the most of every opportunity available to her during her time studying MSc Dietetics at QMU. Through placements, professional connections and a commitment to continuous learning, Brianna is developing both the confidence and skills needed for a future in clinical practice. Find out more in her Student Story.
What interested you in a career in dietetics?
I knew I wanted a career in healthcare, but for a long time I wasn't sure which path to take. What attracted me to dietetics was the opportunity to make a tangible difference to people's health and quality of life. Dietetics is a fantastic profession that combines science, communication, and problem-solving, while allowing you to have a meaningful impact on patients and their families. The ability to support people through some of the most challenging periods of their lives is incredibly rewarding, and it was this combination of science and patient care that drew me to the profession.
Why did you choose to study at Queen Margaret University (QMU)?
Several factors influenced my decision to study at QMU. The University's strong graduate employment rates and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through NHS placements were particularly appealing. I was also attracted to the MSc route, which offers an accelerated pathway into the profession. While the programme is intensive, the structure of the modules and the spacing of assessments make the workload manageable and allow students to build their knowledge progressively. The course also provides excellent opportunities for self-directed learning, supported by experienced dietetic staff and a collaborative peer network. This balance of independent study, academic support, and practical experience made QMU the ideal choice for me.
What interested you in the Dietetics course?
My interest in dietetics developed during my undergraduate degree in Public Health Nutrition, where I became increasingly drawn to the clinical application of nutrition science and its direct impact on individual health outcomes. While public health focuses on improving health at a population level, I found myself particularly interested in working one-to-one with people and supporting them through personalised, evidence-based nutritional care. Dietetics appealed to me because it combines scientific knowledge with practical, patient-centred care. I was especially interested in how dietitians use nutrition to manage complex health conditions and support patients through different stages of illness and recovery.
What attracted you to study in Edinburgh?
Dietetics is a highly competitive course to get into, so I applied to universities in different locations to give myself a range of options. Looking back, I am very glad that I chose to study in Edinburgh. As an Irish student, I found there to be a strong Irish community in Scotland, which helped me feel at home from the outset.
Edinburgh is an incredible city and a fantastic place to be a student. It offers a unique blend of history, culture and social life, with plenty to see and do throughout the year. The city also has a vibrant nightlife and an excellent athletics scene, which was particularly important to me as a distance runner. Having access to great training facilities, running clubs and scenic routes made it easy to continue pursuing my sport alongside my studies.
What did you most enjoy about your course?
This is actually quite a difficult question to answer because my favourite aspect of the course wasn't what I expected it would be. Going into the programme, I assumed I would most enjoy the academic content and learning about nutrition and the science behind dietetics. While I did enjoy that, the placements, opportunities and professional networks I developed throughout the course ended up being the most rewarding part of my experience.The variety of experiences available to students is incredible.
I found that if you showed enthusiasm and took the initiative to seek out opportunities, staff were incredibly supportive and keen to help. Whether it was observing specialist clinics, getting involved in projects, or learning from experienced practitioners, I was never told "no" when I wanted to broaden my experience. Those opportunities allowed me to develop both personally and professionally at a much faster pace than I had anticipated. The course opened doors to areas of practice I had never considered before and gave me the confidence to take advantage of every learning opportunity available. Looking back, it was these real-world experiences and connections that had the biggest impact on my development as a future dietitian.
What areas of the course were most valuable to you?
The placements were undoubtedly the most valuable part of the course, as they gave me a real understanding of what working as a dietitian is actually like. They provided the opportunity to apply the knowledge we learned in the classroom to real patient cases and helped bridge the gap between theory and practice. One of the most important lessons I learned was how to adapt and apply my knowledge to different situations. At the time, some of the scientific content can feel quite complex, but when you're working with patients, you quickly realise how important it is for understanding the ‘why’ behind different conditions and treatment approaches. That deeper understanding is essential for providing effective, evidence-based care.
How did your lecturers support your learning?
The teaching at QMU always felt very hands-on and personalised. With only 16 students in my MSc cohort, there was plenty of opportunity to ask questions, discuss challenging topics, and seek additional support whenever it was needed. The lecturers were approachable and genuinely invested in our development, creating an environment where open dialogue was encouraged. They were also excellent at signposting us towards additional learning opportunities, helping us expand our knowledge beyond the core curriculum and make the most of our time at university.
What were some of your challenges with the course and university life? How have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge for me was managing my time. Throughout much of the course, I continued to work almost full-time alongside my studies, partly out of necessity. Academic commitments and placement requirements meant I always had a busy schedule and needed to be highly organised. Placement logistics could also be challenging at times, particularly when travelling or adapting to new environments and teams. However, these experiences taught me valuable skills in planning, resilience, and adaptability. Learning how to manage competing demands and adjust to different situations has been incredibly beneficial, both during my studies and now in my professional career.
Did you take part in a placement as part of our course? If so, what was your experience?
I have completed 2/3 placements so far, both of which were hugely influential in shaping my career aspirations. My first placement was in an inpatient eating disorders service. During this placement, I met one of the most inspiring dietitians I have encountered, and it reinforced that this was the career I wanted to pursue. The experience was incredibly engaging and opened my eyes to an area of dietetics I had not previously considered. It sparked a strong interest in eating disorders and showed me the profound impact dietitians can have on people's lives. I remained in contact with the team after the placement and continued to learn from their expertise.
My second placement with NHS Lothian has been an incredible learning experience. I spent my first three weeks in weight management and quickly realised that this is an area I would love to work in after graduation. The team was exceptionally supportive and gave me every opportunity to develop my skills and gain exposure to different aspects of the service. Their encouragement helped me grow both personally and professionally. Alongside placement, I have also developed a particular interest in GLP-1 therapies and their role within weight management pathways. Recognising that this is a rapidly evolving area of practice, I sought out additional opportunities to learn more and have since secured an external role focused on this area.
During the placement, I also spent time with a community gastroenterology team and within learning disability services. Both experiences broadened my understanding of the profession and introduced me to areas of practice that I had not previously considered. In particular, learning disability dietetics sparked a strong interest and is a field I may explore further in the future.
Overall, my placement experiences have been invaluable, giving me the opportunity to apply my learning in practice, build professional networks, and gain a clearer understanding of the areas of dietetics that most inspire me.
What QMU student services did you use to support you through your university journey, and how have they helped you?
I utilised QMU's Disability Service following my diagnosis of ADHD, and the support I received was outstanding. The team took the time to understand my individual needs and helped put practical measures in place that made a significant difference to my learning experience.
I also benefited from mentoring support through Theorise, which complemented the support available through the University. In addition, I accessed academic support to help with assignment planning and organisation, areas that I found particularly challenging as a student with ADHD. Learning strategies to structure and approach assignments more effectively helped me build confidence and develop skills that I continue to use today.
When you begin your studies at QMU, you are assigned a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who acts as a dedicated source of support throughout your degree. I found these meetings particularly valuable around exam periods, as they provided an opportunity to check in, discuss any concerns, and receive guidance when needed.
Overall, I felt very well supported throughout my time at QMU. There are a range of services available to students, and my experience was that staff genuinely care about student wellbeing and success. As a QMU student, you are very well looked after by the University.
What are your plans for the future?
My immediate focus is on continuing to build my clinical experience and develop my skills within dietetics and have been working externally within the profession. In the longer term, once I have developed a strong breadth of knowledge and experience, I would love to work my way up within weight management and who knows what else is to come?
Find out about Dietetics and our other Health Science courses at QMU.
