MSc Human Nutrition

Successful completion allows graduates to work in a variety of nutrition-related areas such as public health, food and/or health industries, the media, nutrition policy development, teaching and research for health and education services, or other organisations.

• 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.

• 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 is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN). Students who have successfully completed the programme are eligible to apply via Direct Entry for the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionist as a Registered Associate Nutritionist (ANutr).

• 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's degree but we offer three exit awards: PgCert, PgDip and MSc.

• Programme overview

• Postgraduate Certificate
  

  To achieve a postgraduate certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits by completing the three core modules below.

  Core modules

  HNUT708 Nutrition Science 20 Credits

  HNUT702 Applied Nutrition 20 Credits

  HNUT707 Applied Epidemiology 20 Credits          

  
  

  Postgraduate Diploma

  To achieve a postgraduate diploma, you will have first completed the PgCert and need to obtain an additional 60 credits (to give 120 credits in total). This must include the three core modules.

  Core modules

  HNUT703 Applied Sports Nutrition 20 Credits

  HNUT705 Public Health Nutrition 20 Credits

  ADV715 Project Design for Research 20 Credits

  
  

  MSc

  To achieve a full master degree, you will have first completed the PgDip and need to obtain an additional 60 credits (to give 180 credits in total).

  Core module

  ADV716 Research Dissertation 60 Credits

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

UK/EU

We would usually consider a BSc (Hons) degree with 2:1 or above (or equivalent) in a relevant science subject that provides underpinning knowledge in the biosciences. We may consider other degrees at 2:1 or above providing you have evidence of recent Level 3 biology or chemistry study within the last 10 years.

INTERNATIONAL

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

International students must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University of Plymouth's 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.   

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

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

When to apply

Most of our taught programmes begin in September. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full.

Before you apply

Familiarise yourself with the information required to complete your application form. You will usually be required to supply:

• evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
• evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
• a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
• your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
• proof of sponsorship, if applicable.

If you require further information take a look at our application guidance.

Disability services

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

International students

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply now' icon on this page).

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; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail.

If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:

Telephone: +44 (0)1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Admissions policy

More information and advice for applicants can be referenced by downloading our Student Admissions Policy Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.