Nutrition is a fast-moving discipline that focuses on understanding the role of diet in maintaining a healthy human body and the prevention of disease. This course will give you an in-depth understanding of the scientific, social and ethical considerations that inform the nutrition profession, as set by the professional voluntary register of nutritionists.
Throughout the course you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the scientific principles that underpin the relationship between diet, human health and wellbeing. You’ll develop your ability to critically appraise the effects of food processing on the nutritional quality of foods and the role of processed foods in the diet.
The programme will encourage you to evaluate the current issues and developments related to the nutrition discipline, and propose new insights and solutions to diet-related problems.
The Programme is accredited by the Association for Nutrition which means it delivers all the core competencies required of registered nutritionists. On successful completion of this MSc, you are able to enter the UK voluntary register of nutritionists, and our excellent links with industry will help you to pursue a successful and rewarding career.
Read more about Association for Nutrition accreditation.
Through this course you’ll develop an understanding of the functions of food components and nutrients, as well as a capacity to critically analyse a problem, create an action plan and go through a scientific investigation. You’ll also have opportunities to develop skills such as effective communication and presentation.
The programme aims to develop your understanding of nutrition from an international perspective, and encourages the development of research projects that satisfy both the course requirements and your individual interests.
During the latter part of the year, you will choose a research area relevant to the research grouping of the School (Food Colloids and Processing, Food Chemistry and Biochemistry, Nutrition) and will undertake a critical evaluation of the literature and write a research proposal to answer a research question, as identified by the you and your academic tutor.
You will undertake the project in one of the research laboratories. The emphasis will be on the generation of primary data, and the discussion of research results in the context of current knowledge and opinions in the field.
Compulsory modules
For more information on typical modules, read Nutrition MSc in the course catalogue
Teaching is by lectures, practical classes, tutorials, seminars and supervised research projects. We make extensive use of IT and a wide range of materials is available to enable students to study at their own pace and in their own time to enhance and extend the material taught formally.
Assessment is by course work and written exams which take place at the end of the semester in which the module is taught.
On graduating from the Nutrition MSc you’ll have the knowledge and skills relevant for registration as a qualified nutritionist, in food companies and other nutrition and health-related industries, providing personalised advice on healthy eating.
Many of our graduates go on to work as Food Nutritionists or Public Health Nutritionists.
Food Nutritionists usually work in the food manufacturing industry and look at the science, ingredients, policy, legislation and regulations involved in the consumption or marketing of a food item. As a Food Nutritionist your role will vary between nutrition training or education, health promotion and assessing, setting, implementing and communicating nutritional standards and information, marketing, product development, regulatory support and scientific research.
Public Health Nutritionists develop, implement and evaluate nutrition policies and programmes. As a Public Health Nutritionist you’ll undertake research and apply scientific knowledge to ensure the government, people and communities have a good understanding of the impact of food and diet on health and well-being. You’ll also be in a position to advise on how to improve the diet, nutrition and health of people and communities.
Further study
A Masters in food science will also serve you well in progression to research-led projects. Many of our students go on to undertake PhD research here at the University of Leeds in one of the School’s research groups. Read about postgraduate research in the School of Food Science and Nutrition.
The School of Food Science and Nutrition has its own dedicated Employability Enhancement Officer who can offer quality advice and support with regards to careers, CV and cover letter writing, job applications etc. The Employability Enhancement Officer promotes a range of opportunities available to students to ensure they maximise their capabilities through a process of personal development and career planning.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Our MSc Human Nutrition programme will develop your scientific research skills to an advanced level and fuel your interest in this fascinating and vital discipline.
You will develop a deep understanding of current issues in the field of human nutrition – all taught elements emphasise the evidence-based links between diet, health and disease, and are underpinned by a full appreciation for the nutritional mechanisms involved.
Our excellent links with industry will help you to pursue a successful and rewarding career. The programme also forms an excellent foundation for those who wish to pursue further education via a PhD or research post in industry following graduation.
MSc students may apply for Associate Nutritionist status on the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists.
This programme is studied full-time over one academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and an original research project.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. All modules described are compulsory.
Our MSc programme caters for the following applicants:
The University of Surrey has long been regarded as a UK centre of excellence for teaching in nutrition and dietetics through our long-running and successful undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Staff within the Department of Nutritional Sciences have an internationally recognised expertise in areas such as diabetes, lipid metabolism, cardiovascular risk, bone health, Vitamin D, selenium and iodine, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity and energy balance.
As a postgraduate student, you will be taught by a variety of lecturers who are actively researching the topic being covered, or have a wealth of experience in that particular area.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake independent research via a project, guided by a dedicated and experienced supervisor. Projects are available across a range of topics representing the strength and depth of the Department and wider Faculty.
You will be working alongside staff, PhD students and post-doctoral researchers to ensure that you receive the full research experience.
This will form an excellent foundation for those MSc students wishing to pursue further education via a PhD or research post in industry.
The strong scientific element of our teaching will attract students looking for a programme of high academic quality.
The Department has excellent links with industry, which will help you to pursue a successful career in nutrition.
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:
Knowledge and understanding
Intellectual / cognitive skills
Professional practical skills
Key / transferable skills
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
Study at one of the most renowned international Institutes for health nutrition research which has continued to play an important part in research for over 100 years at Aberdeen and internationally. The Rowett Institute informs policy and continues to join the dots between diet and health. If you are interested in health and dietary factors this programme will provide much theory and research towards answers and questions you want to ask. You look at dietary assessments, macronutrients, energy balance, metabolism, micronutrients, nutrition and body influence, body composition and nutrition throughout life. You also apply statistics to uncover answers to questions.
Understanding the link between diet and health can be the differentiator between good health and issues affecting public health. This major area of interest has grown considerably over the past few years with increasing awareness of disease and its prevention and the growth in population using health services and the service ability to cope in the future. There has also been a steady increase in the amount of professionals providing consultancy and support to people who have realised the link and want to take action to become healthier with books, films and many other supporting communications in what has almost become an industry in itself.
The Rowett Institute in Aberdeen is known UK wide and internationally as a major research contributor to many discoveries within food and nutrition, informing policy, debating health and food security and many other issues relating to the food we eat and its effects on our bodies.
The aim of this innovative programme is to provide training in human nutrition for graduates in biological or other sciences. The main focus of the programme is on the relationship between diet, health and disease, and the nutritional mechanisms involved in disease development and disease with three specialist areas harnessing Aberdeen’s unique range of expertise in Metabolic Nutrition, Molecular Nutrition and Public Health Nutrition. This programme can take in in several directions after graduation. You may want to work as a Nutritionist, within Public Health as a Policy Manger, as a Dietitian, or within private practice as a Fitness and Nutrition Counsellor or teaching and studying for a PhD.
Semester 1
Foundations of Nutrition
Assessment of Nutritional Status
Applied Statistics
Nutrition and Health
Generic Skills
Semester 2
Research Methods and Professional Practice
Optional
Clinical Nutrition
Molecular Nutrition
Public Health Nutrition
Semester 3
Specialist Research Project Human Nutrition
Diploma Literature Review in Human Nutrition
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/118/human-nutrition/
• You can specialise in Clinical Nutrition, Molecular Nutrition or Public Health Nutrition, the MSc is accredited by the Association for
Nutrition
• You are taught by researchers from the Rowett Institute of Health and Nutrition in a new purpose designed building at the health
campus, Foresterhill
• Lord Boyd Orr won a Nobel Peace Prize for contributions to the worldwide fight against hunger at University of Aberdeen and
insulin was first developed at the university
• University of Aberdeen
• 12 or 24 months
• Full Time or Part Time
• September
Find out about fees:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/tuition-fees-and-living-costs-287.php
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/finance-funding-1599.php
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/funding/
Find out more about:
• Your Accommodation
• Campus Facilities
• Aberdeen City
• Student Support
• Clubs and Societies
Find out more about living in Aberdeen:
https://abdn.ac.uk/study/student-life
Living costs
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/finance.php
Providing nutritious food is a key target for the government, which is keen to encourage industry and academic experts to work together to improve food standards. The politics of food in society, involving manufacturers, retailers, consumers and health professionals, are complex and continually evolving.
Throughout the programme you’ll investigate the scientific aspects of food, nutrition and the wider implications of diet on our health and wellbeing. You’ll balance your studies between the scientific studies on food, nutrition and related health aspects.
The breadth of the programme gives an appreciation of key positions of food and health, as well as in food composition, and the manufacture of foods. At the interface between food and nutrition, graduates will be key in the development of new healthy eating trends.
Throughout the programme you’ll tackle issues such as the nutritional significance of processed foods in the diet, the effects of nutrition labelling and nutrition claims, functional foods; and catering technology and nutritional quality.
Alongside developing current techniques in food analysis, structure and processing you will gain in-depth knowledge of current health topics such as heart disease, and antioxidants and their health benefits. You also gain knowledge and understanding of the functions of food and nutrients and their relationship to health and disease.
Compulsory modules
For more information on typical modules, read Food Science and Nutrition MSc in the course catalogue
Teaching is by lectures, practical classes, tutorials, seminars and supervised research projects. Extensive use is made of IT and a wide range of materials is available to enable you to study at your own pace and in your own time to enhance and extend the material taught formally.
Assessment is by course work and written exams which take place at the end of the semester in which the module is taught.
Postgraduates from the School go into careers in research, in the food industry, into regulatory and public bodies across the world, backed by the confidence and skills gained from studying at one of the leading schools of food science and nutrition internationally.
Our graduates are in big demand and food companies come to Leeds to recruit the best talent. Some of our past graduates hold key positions in the food industry and government agencies.
There are many opportunities open to you within the food industry, from jobs in nutrition and new product development to roles in the supply chain, purchasing, logistics and distribution. You may decide to become a development scientist, working on new foodstuffs and producing food which is safe and nutritious with a consistent flavour, colour and texture. There are roles within this area in industry, but also within government and local authority food inspection departments. Other job roles include industrial buyer, retail buyer, production manager or quality assurance manager.
Read more about typical career paths:
Further study
A Masters in food science will also serve you well in progression to research-led projects. Many of our students go on to undertake PhD research here at the University of Leeds in one of the School’s research groups. Read about postgraduate research in the School of Food Science and Nutrition.
The School of Food Science and Nutrition has its own dedicated Employability Enhancement Officer who can offer quality advice and support with regards to careers, CV and cover letter writing, job applications etc. The Employability Enhancement Officer promotes a range of opportunities available to students to ensure they maximise their capabilities through a process of personal development and career planning.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Over the past decade, the impact of nutrition and exercise in optimising athletic performance and recovery from injury has become increasingly clear and there has been a growing demand for highly trained specialists in this field.
Experts in sport and exercise nutrition translate the latest scientific research into practical, evidence-based advice for competitive and recreational athletes, as well as groups and individuals wanting to improve their health, lose weight, recover from injury or become more active.
Incorporating up-to-date research and contemporary practice, this course aims to prepare you for broad range of careers – from clinical practice assessing professional sports teams to work as a dietitian for clients with specific nutritional issues.
Based in our multimillion pound, state-of-the-art Science and Health Building, you can take full advantage of our cutting-edge facilities, including indoor running track and extensive exercise science laboratories. You’ll gain hands-on experience of some of the equipment and techniques used in professional sports and health environments.
The course seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the nutritional and metabolic demands of exercise and practical experience of the effect of and interactions between diet, exercise and health. We provide opportunities to work with University and local sports teams, as well as recreational athletes seeking personalised nutrition advice.
Our teaching team has a broad range of academic and professional experience, many of whom have worked with a range of health initiatives, professional athletes and clubs. You will also learn about our own latest research findings from the Centre for Research in Applied Biological and Exercise Sciences.
Master’s study will also give you the opportunity to gain important experience and skills in research, which will help you to understand and evaluate future developments.
Your main study themes are:
This multidisciplinary course draws together a broad range of biosciences subject matter within the areas of sport, exercise physiology, health and nutrition.
Content has been designed to develop your appreciation of the human body and its functions, together with nutrition science and its role in promoting human health so that you can apply this knowledge to develop appropriate dietary advice and exercise programmes.
We will consider the components of fitness, including nutritional requirements, energy expenditure, body mass and body composition, examining some of the common problems associated with general health and wellbeing, diet and nutrition, exercise and sport performance. These include diets, hydration and supplements, for example.
Covering how to scientifically measure nutritional requirements and dietary allowances of macronutrients, micronutrients and other metabolically active components of food such as fibre. We also consider the negative effects of things like food additives, tannins or drugs and how ethnic and culture may affect practical advice on foods, meals and menus.
As well as subject-specific knowledge, we will encourage a critical, analytical and flexible approach to problem-solving in sport and exercise nutrition. You will systematically and creatively explore complex issues, such as physical activity, nutrition and obesity, and elite physiological support through a variety of case studies, laboratory sessions and group work.
Our aim is to effectively prepare you for professional employment, so we focus on providing enhanced practical and professional skills through a combination of lectures, laboratory and field sessions and case studies. The nature of the course also enables topical aspects to be discussed, for example, the latest popular supplement for sports people or fad diet.
You are also required to complete in-depth research study in the area of sport and exercise science, so will receive training in research methods, including data analysis in both research and applied practice.
Nutritional medicine concerns itself with the part that nutrition plays in health, disease, lifecycle and ageing.
The aim of the programme is to inform and educate those to whom the public turns for advice on nutritionally-related aspects of health and disease and those involved in the manufacture of foods and food supplements.
It is appropriate for the in-service training of doctors, dietitians, pharmacists and healthcare workers.
The programme consists of three-day taught periods at the University, preceded by preparatory study, and followed by consolidation and assessment. It will teach you to take a critical and scholarly approach to the theory, practice, literature and research findings within the subject.
This programme is studied part-time. On successful completion of the programme the exit awards are as follows
On successful completion of the MSc programme, students are eligible for direct entry on to the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists as an Associate Nutritionist via the Association for Nutrition. Students who exit with a Diploma or Certificate would still be eligible to apply for Associate Nutritionist Membership, via the Portfolio- based application pathway.
Students may also enrol for modules on an occasional route with or without assessment. Please contact us for further details.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
Distance learning prior to attendance at the module
You will receive some preliminary material (that will require approximately 40 hours of study) around four weeks before you attend each module.
This will generally be background material (for example, a core text and/or specially written material/journal article/s) aimed at ensuring that all students, whatever their previous learning experience, will have attained a certain basic knowledge of the subject and its terminology.
Teaching at the University
The three-day periods spent at the University consist mainly of formal lectures, but will also include interactive or participative sessions incorporating some of the following learning strategies: workshops, syndicated work, demonstrations, case studies, debates, and journal clubs.
You will generally be given additional papers, reviews, notes or reading lists relating to the module lectures.
Distance learning following attendance at the module
In the two months following the module, you will be expected to study the material covered and to carry out further reading (including journal articles) to expand your understanding.
The programme is appropriate for GPs, gastroenterologists, dietitians, pharmacists, other clinicians and health professionals with a role in nutrition and health practice.
The aim of the programme is to provide Masters-level learning in Nutritional Science related to health and disease. Students will gain knowledge and skills necessary to investigate, understand and apply the concepts of Nutritional Medicine in relation to current health issues. Specifically, the programme aims:
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
