The University of Ulster offers a four-year full-time honours degree in human nutrition. There were 34 first-year places last year. The course splits into a BSC in human nutrition, with a diploma in industrial or area studies, and a BSc in human nutrition and dietetics with eligibility. There are significant work placements for students in both streams. Those taking the dietetics option spend six weeks in practical catering between years two and three and they have a 28-week clinical placement in a hospital in fourth year.

Tony Barnhill, UU admissions officer, says there is a high demand for all of the college's healthcare courses. The number of applicants from the Republic has been falling, he says, and the reason may partly be due to misinformation about the fees situation. The fees are means-tested, and paid on a sliding scale, he points out, and last year, only 25 per cent of students in UU paid the full amount (£1,050 sterling in 2000-2001) while 50 to 60 per cent didn't pay any fees.

There is no student services charge - in the Republic this is more than £300 in some colleges. Off-campus accommodation is also cheaper, he points out.

The deadline for applications to UCAS, the British central applications body, is December 15th.