Human Nutrition and Dietetics Schools and Programs in Colombia

Human Nutrition and Dietetics Studies in Colombia

In Colombia, human nutrition and dietetics is a health profession studied at university. The degree is called Nutrición y Dietética and leads to the professional title of Nutricionista Dietista. It is taught in Spanish. Our directory lists three universities in Colombia with this degree: two in Bogotá and one in Medellín.

How the degree is organised

The first qualification is a pregrado, an undergraduate professional degree. At the Universidad de Antioquia, the programme awards the title Nutricionista Dietista, is taught in person and lasts ten academic levels (semesters); the current curriculum, version 13, has 171 academic credits and version 12 had 169. These are Colombian academic credits, not ECTS. Admission to the programme is every semester.

Students learn the basic and applied sciences behind food and health and how to use them with individuals and communities. The Pontificia Universidad Javeriana names subjects such as cell biology, organic chemistry, human pathophysiology, assessment of nutritional status and food security. Its programme trains graduates to assess the nutritional status of individuals and communities, plan diets, take part in the prevention and treatment of disease, and lead projects on sustainable and healthy food.

After the pregrado, Colombian law (Ley 30 de 1992) provides for specialisations (especializaciones), master's degrees (maestrías) and doctorates.

Where it is taught

• Universidad de Antioquia (Medellín): the Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética teaches the degree in Medellín and is also authorised to offer it at the university's Seccional Oriente. The programme holds the high-quality accreditation (Acreditación de Alta Calidad) of the Ministerio de Educación Nacional, granted for 8 years by a resolution of 12 June 2019.
• Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá): a private Catholic university. It offers the option of a double degree with a French institution, which its page names as the Universidad de Paris Tech, and the possibility of following two or more degrees at the same time.
• Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Bogotá): the public national university lists Nutrición y Dietética among the undergraduate programmes of its Bogotá campus for the 2027-01 admission.

Admission and language

Ley 30 de 1992 requires every undergraduate applicant to hold a secondary school leaving qualification (título de bachiller) or its foreign equivalent and to have sat the state exam for entry to higher education (Saber 11). The two public universities then select through their own entrance exam. At the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, foreign applicants follow the regular admission process and can sit the test online at a Colombian consulate; the application fee paid from abroad was US$87.5 for the 2026-02 intake. The Universidad de Antioquia accepts a valid passport as identification for its exam and asks all applicants to show that they sat the Saber 11 tests, whatever the result. The Javeriana evaluates applicants in a group interview that weighs attitude (65%) and ability (35%).

Students who need a visa apply for the visitor visa (type V) for students. According to the Colombian foreign ministry (checked in October 2026), holders of visa-exempt passports do not need it for stays of up to 180 calendar days. The application requires a certificate of admission or enrolment and health insurance for the whole stay.

Recognition and professional practice

Nutrition and dietetics is one of the health professions regulated by Ley 1164 de 2007. To practise, a professional needs a degree from a legally recognised higher education institution, or, for a degree obtained abroad, its recognition (convalidación) under Colombian rules. Health personnel who meet the requirements must also be entered in the national register of health workers, the Registro Único Nacional del Talento Humano en Salud (RETHUS).

Careers

The universities describe similar fields of work. The Javeriana lists public nutrition, clinical nutrition, food and food services, nutrition education, nutrition in physical activity and consultancy. The Universidad de Antioquia names hospitals and clinics, institutions with food services, government and non-governmental organisations, prevention and health promotion programmes, public policy work, and the research laboratories of food companies, including quality assurance and nutrition labelling.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a nutrition and dietetics degree take in Colombia?

At the Universidad de Antioquia the programme lasts ten academic levels, that is, ten semesters or five years. Check the duration at other universities on their own pages.

What title do graduates receive?

Nutricionista Dietista. It is a professional university title in the health area.

Can a nutritionist with a foreign degree work in Colombia?

The law on health workers requires foreign degrees to be recognised (convalidación) under Colombian rules, and practising professionals must be registered in RETHUS.

Is the degree taught in English?

No. The programmes listed here are taught in Spanish.