Let our students tell you more – what it’s really like studying for the MSc in Advanced Nutrition
We always love hearing how our students and graduates are getting on, so we were thrilled when Nutritional Therapist Helen Spriggs spent some time telling us how and why she decided to study for a MSc in Advanced Nutrition with the NCA.
Tell us about your career as a nutrition practitioner
Having qualified as a Nutritional Therapist from The College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM) in the summer of 2017, I jumped straight into clinical practice. I confess I had a head start in terms of where to practice from, as my husband Mark had opened our own chiropractic clinic earlier that year in Newbury, Berkshire. The clinic was a good two years in the planning and having nutrition services was always factored in, as they complement each other. We collaborate and co-manage patients including those with musculoskeletal issues but not exclusively. However, not all patients are shared, we have separate patients but for everyone coming to the clinic (although that’s changed a little given COVID-19) you always get to meet us both. Working as a BANT & CNHC Registered Nutritional Therapist brings me into contact with a whole host of different situations. When asked, what do you specialise in, I tend to say the complex cases. I like a challenge, and our ethos at Spriggs Chiropractic & Nutrition is to help get patients not only the answers but also the solutions by providing care as individual as you are.
Why did you decide you needed to gain a Masters?
Whilst my training at CNM in London was a fantastic grounding, I felt I needed more, I wasn’t sure exactly what at first. Initially I completed the Institute for Functional Medicine ‘Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice’ course in 2017 and considered their full certification. But as I started to practice, speak to other healthcare professionals I felt I needed an extra level of qualification behind me. Of course, like all professionals I complete my minimum 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development each year, but a formal, internationally recognised qualification was what I wanted. I may still do the full IFM certification, as I remain a member of the IFM, I might need a holiday first!
Why did you choose the NCA?
I researched several nutrition focused MSc courses and spent time considering what I wanted to achieve from an MSc, and not just the qualification. What areas of my practice did I want an MSc to support and further? Deciding I wanted to gain a better grasp of research, and the practicalities of clinical practice as opposed to a more in-depth look at biochemistry focused my options. Practical considerations of location were also important. Having commuted into London for my clinical training I now lived further afield and worked 6 days a week in our clinic. Distance learning was therefore a natural option and together with a recommendation for NCA from a previous lecturer, I joined one of the NCA Q&A sessions run by Jane Nodder. The course content, teaching methods and expectation were explained thoroughly, and a short time later I submitted my application!
What is it like studying on a completely online course?
Having only studied ‘in person’ previously, a change to online only was quite daunting. I’d questioned my ability to be motivated and self-disciplined, rather than concerns over technology. My concerns were alleviated knowing there were regular video calls with fellow students and lecturers, access to busy forums and regular deadlines to work to kept me disciplined. The team at NCA are great, their knowledge and skill set are phenomenal, almost overwhelming at times but they are approachable and supportive. In addition, NCA are already really up to speed on running courses like this MSc online, something many education institutions may be looking to in the future given the current situation. There are solid foundations and systems already in place and working enabling our online / distance learning to be efficient and effective. Our student cohort are all in similar situations, working and studying with either family and/or business commitments, that only helps connect you together, so you don’t feel isolated or alone. An MSc does require motivation, whilst there is great support available, it is a commitment of time, money, and effort, ultimately you get out, what you put in.
How do you juggle your study time alongside your practice and life in general?
There are times when juggling everything is a huge challenge, in my second year on top of everything I also got married and this year we have a global pandemic! In all seriousness it is hard, but with a careful time management, support, prioritisation and planning it is possible. I work at least 36 hours a week in consultations/clinic, plus at least another 20 hours a week on business administration and development then add on study. As a part time course, as with many others the expectation is in the region of 20 hours per week. Overall an MSc gives you 180M level credits that is 1800 hours of work I am lucky, I work with my husband so we do see each other at work, he is also studying an MSc so we have dedicated study time, to allow to time off together. However, we don’t have kids (or pets) and we have understanding families and friends so when deadlines are approaching, they don’t expect to see us for a few weeks!
What stage of the course are you at the moment?
I’m currently in my third out of four years of the total course, in my dissertation phase. The first and second years are comprised of taught modules, with formative (unmarked) and summative (marked) assignments. This year focuses on developing my research question and proposal for a piece of primary research. I’ve just submitted my research proposal for ethical approval (although by the time this is out, hopefully I’ll have my approval!). Ahead, I’ve got participant recruitment, data collection and analysis before the final write up. The course has been restructured and so subsequent cohorts will only take three not four years, but the four years has worked really well for me.
Tell us about your “global cohort”
We have a great cohort, it includes students from the UK but also Ireland, South Africa, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic and Switzerland who are across disciplines. Everyone brings different knowledge, experiences and skill set and I have enormous respect for those whose first language is not English yet undertaking an MSc, I’m in awe as academic writing brings its own challenges never mind if you’re doing it in a second language!
What advice would you give to anyone who is considering this online Masters?
Of course, I’m going to say do it! However, in all seriousness you need to consider why you want to do an MSc, what do you want to gain from it, for me practical research skills and knowledge but relevant to my profession we keys. Then factor what else have you got going on in life, got any wedding, kids, moving house, big business plans? Working out how many hours can you dedicate to study per week, are your family on board and are you motivated to do it are all important. Friends and family ask me how the MSc is going, there is almost always one answer, it’s hard. They look at me and wonder why I’m doing it, or in their words putting myself through it, because I want to! I have to explain of course it’s hard, it’s an MSc. Are there tears? Moments of self-doubt? Yes and yes. Would I change it? Not a chance. If you are interested, then book one of the Q&A sessions and I’ll happily answer any questions if people want to get in touch!
Thanks Helen, we wish you all the best for your ongoing studies!