School of Health Professions

MSc Human Nutrition

Designed for graduates with a non-nutrition background, this broad-ranging programme offers you an advanced understanding of nutrition and the links between diet and health. Core nutrition science will underpin a critical evaluation of the role of nutrition in public health at the local, national and international level. Explore the role of nutrition in exercise and sports performance and graduate with the skills to work and lead as a nutritionist in a wide range of environments.

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First choice for health

Delivered by professional experts, our programmes are tailored to you and your career. Together, we address today's most challenging healthcare issues, through research-informed teaching and active, real-world learning.

#firstchoiceforhealth

Key features

  • Designed for graduates with a non-nutrition background, this full time programme will provide you with a new and alternative career pathway.
  • Train to become an evidence based nutrition professional equipped to manage and lead in dynamic settings.
  • The only programme of this type in the south-west region.
  • Delivered by a team with extensive experience in the delivery of masters level modules and a diverse range of expertise in nutrition, public health, research, sports nutrition and physiology. The team have external recognition for the quality of feedback to support student learning.
  • The programme will be accredited with the Association for Nutrition (AfN) allowing students who have completed the masters to apply for direct entry at associate level to the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN).
  • Focuses on public health nutrition and disease prevention at the local, national and international level.
  • Develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of current and topical issues in sports nutrition and apply them to current practice utilising links with local sporting partnerships. 
  • Engage with local AfN registrants who will provide curriculum enrichment, local expertise and knowledge of future career pathways.
  • Research informed teaching will be embedded throughout the curriculum.
  • Issues around sustainability of nutrition will be threaded throughout the programme. 
  • Gain a core understanding of professional practice and ethics, elements of which are embedded within the programme.

Please note that when you enrol on this programme, you always enrol to study the master degree but we offer three exit awards: PgCert, PgDip and MSc.

Course details

  • Programme overview

  • Core modules in the science of food, nutrition and human health will underpin an advanced understanding of links between diet and health at the individual, population and strategic level. Nutritional epidemiology will be studied to inform the practice of public health nutrition and how key issues in population health may be addressed. Key and topical issues in sports nutrition will be studied and applied to real-world situations. Research modules will provide you with key research skills to design and carry out high-quality nutrition research under supervision. You'll become a nutrition professional equipped to work in a range of nutrition settings and you will be eligible to apply to register as an associate nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition.

    You can choose from three awards options:

    Award postgraduate certificate – to achieve a postgraduate certificate, you will need to earn 60 credits. Please refer to the below programme specification for further information on modules to be studied.

    Award postgraduate diploma – to achieve a postgraduate diploma, you will have first completed the PgCert and need to earn an additional 60 credits (to give 120 credits in total). Please refer to the below programme specification for further information on modules to be studied.

    Award master of science – for a full master degree, you will have first completed the PgDip and need to earn an additional 60 credits (to give 180 credits in total). Please refer to the below programme specification for further information on modules to be studied.

    Core modules

    • ADV715 Project Design for Research

      You’ll explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project and by the end of the module you’ll formulate a research proposal. You’ll learn how to define and refine a research question, select and appraise methodology, address ethical considerations, and select and appraise data collection and analysis techniques.

    • ADV716 Research Dissertation

      You’ll complete your dissertation as part of your Advanced Professional Practice Masters programme under supervision from the module team and a named dissertation supervisor.

    • HNUT702 Applied Nutrition

      This module examines the physiological and metabolic background to nutrition exploring the evidence base linking diet and health. Basic nutritional metabolism will be covered and then used as the basis to discuss the role of metabolism in various conditions as well as exploring practical difficulties of implementing changes to diet.

    • HNUT703 Applied Sports Nutrition

      This module will critically evaluate the role of nutrition in sports and exercise. It will look at the key physiological factors underpinning applied nutritional practices, as well as potential psychological/cultural/ psychosocial factors impacting on food intake in athletes. Professional aspects of working as a registered nutritionist will also be covered.

    • HNUT705 Public Health Nutrition

      This module judges the role of nutrition in public health and critically evaluates the evidence base for applying good nutritional principles to health and wellbeing, considering wider ecological aspects of the food supply system.

    • HNUT706 Nutrition Science

      This module enables students to develop a sound scientific understanding of the role and function of nutrients and non-nutrients in the human body and impact on health. It includes the science, application and consequences of food choice/ lifestyle and impact on human nutritional health. In addition it explores the evidence behind health claims and impact of compounds such as drugs on nutritional status and function.

    • HNUT707 Nutritional Epidemiology

      This module critically evaluates the relationship between diet and disease and explores the epidemiological data underpinning nutritional recommendations. It combines nutritional knowledge with skills in evaluation of dietary assessment methods and nutritional surveillance to investigate the determinants of health and disease in populations.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Human Nutrition programme specification 5742

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Entry requirements

UK/EU

You need to have a BSc (Hons) degree at 2:2 or above or European first cycle equivalent in a science or social science subject.

INTERNATIONAL

International students must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with Plymouth Universities Admissions Code of Practice and requirements set out by the AfN, This will be a minimum overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS) of at least 6.0 in each element and a mean score of 6.5.  If you need to improve your English language to get onto a degree programme at Plymouth University, you can book a pre-sessional academic English course.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are available for postgraduate taught programmes. Tell me more about scholarships and bursaries.

Fees, costs and funding

New Student 2018 2019
Home/EU £8,500 £9,500
International £14,000 £14,400
Part time (Home/EU) N/A N/A
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances.

Additional costs

Please be aware that there may be additional costs to undertaking your studies relating to printing of course materials, parking charges if you are studying at PAHC, and requirement for an initial outlay for travel and accommodation in respect of practice placement. If you have any questions regarding these costs please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

If you are studying on a programme where placements are integral to your study there are costs associated with travel and accommodation. Please speak with the programme admissions tutor to find out more.

Alumnus loyalty reward for postgraduate study

From September 2018, the University applies a discretionary alumni reward where alumnus meet certain criteria on particular postgraduate taught courses.

  • a 20 per cent discount on home/EU tuition fees
  • or a £2,000 discount on international tuition fees.

PGCE programmes, Master of Architecture, MChem, MEng, MGeol, MPsych, MSci, ResM and postgraduate research degrees are not included in this reward.

For further details, and contact information, please review our alumni discount policy.

Postgraduate Merit Scholarship for international students

Scholarship value: £2000 off your tuition fees in year one.
You may also receive:

  • 10% off the successive years tuition fee if an overall grade of 60% or above is maintained
To be eligible you must:

This scholarship will be offered automatically, providing you meet the eligibility criteria. A separate application will not be required.

Further information about Scholarships for international students

Information about loans and funding for postgraduate study. 

Students applying for a postgraduate loan will be subject to stipulations regarding the duration of the programme. Please contact the pathway lead for advice before applying.

How to apply

When to apply

Applications for this programme should be made by the end of July in the academic year that you wish to commence studying. Please check the closing date and apply as early as possible as our programmes are popular.

Apply for this programme

Applications should be made by using the relevant PDF or Word application form.

Postgraduate application form DOC – A DOC application form for postgraduate students to print, fill in and mail to University

Postgraduate application form PDF – A PDF application form for postgraduate students to print, fill in and mail to University

International student postgraduate application form DOC – Postgraduate taught programmes application for international students

International student postgraduate application form PDF – Postgraduate taught programmes application for international students

Printed application forms are also available and can be obtained from the Professional Development Unit. Please send your completed application form to the address or email listed below:

Professional Development Unit
4th floor, Rolle Building
Plymouth University
Drake Circus
Plymouth PL4 8AA

Email: pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk
Tel: +44 1752 586951

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information, to take part in an interview or you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by Plymouth University, please visit our Disability Services website.

Support is also available if you are an overseas student applying to the University from our International Office.


Please note that when you enrol on this programme, you always enrol to study the master degree but we offer three exit awards: PgCert, PgDip and MSc.

What our students say...

  • @ “The modules provide a critical understanding of current nutrition knowledge and detail how it can be applied within professional practice. They are also taught by friendly and dedicated staff.” Alexander Cornwell, 2017 graduate

English Language Centre

We offer a range of courses to help you develop your academic English language skills.

These include pre-sessional academic English courses for undergraduates, taught postgraduates and research students along with insessional language classes, tutorials and activities to support students who have English as a second language.

Find out how we can help you reach your potential.

Scholarship for MSc Human Nutrition international applicants

A £3000 fee waiver will be awarded to international applicants who exceed the entry requirements for this programme.

You need to have a BSc (Hons) degree at 2:1 (or equivalent) OR an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) of at least 7.0.


Scholarship for MSc Human Nutrition international applicants

A £1500 fee waiver will be awarded to international applicants who meet the entry requirements for this programme. 

There are 10 scholarships available and they will be awarded on a first come first served basis to those accepted onto the programme.

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