School of Health Professions

MSc Human Nutrition

Duration

1 year
Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available
Study location Plymouth
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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.

Your career as a healthcare professional starts here

The first-class new home for our healthcare teaching and research providing students with skills to meet the needs of 21st century careers.

InterCity Place
InterCity Place

A unique new learning space where undergraduate and postgraduate students from the largest breadth of health disciplines in the South-West learn together under one roof, with expert practitioners.
Medical students using the Anatomage table clinical
Plymouth Integrative Health and Social Care Education Centre (PIHC)

Experience an interprofessional learning environment across our health programmes that will prepare you for life as a healthcare professional.
First choice for health
Become a healthcare professional of the future

Collaboration across the schools helps students to learn with, from and about each other, gaining the real-world experience employers seek.

Careers with this subject
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.

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.
  • 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).
  • Train and practice your professional healthcare skills in an inspiring purpose-built environment, InterCity Place .
  • 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.

Course details

  • 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
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.

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 2024 25 5742

Entry requirements
UK
We 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 (e.g. biology, psychology, food science). We may consider other degrees at 2:1 or above providing you have evidence of previous science study. Although priority will be given to those with a 2:1 degree, applicants with a 2:2 degree will be considered and an interview may be required by our academic team.
International
We would usually consider a BSc (Hons) degree with 2:1 or above (or equivalent) in a relevant science or social 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. Applicants with a 2:2 degree or a 2:1 ordinary degree will be considered and an interview may be required by the academic team. We would encourage applicants to apply.
At admission, applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of competence in both written and spoken English, in accordance with the University of Plymouth’s Admissions Code of Practice and requirements set out by the AfN for an accredited programme, which must not be less than 6.5 average IELTS (or equivalent), with a minimum of 6.0 in each part.
Scholarships
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.

Fees, costs and funding
2024-2025 2025-2026
Home £11,000 £11,350
International £19,000 £19,550
Part time (Home) £610 £630
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. More information about fees and funding.

Find out more about your eligibility for a postgraduate loan

You may now be eligible for a government loan of over £11,000 to help towards the cost of your masters degree.

Additional costs

Please be aware that there may be additional costs to undertaking your studies relating to printing of course materials, parking charges, 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.

Tuition fee discount for University of Plymouth graduates

If you studied your undergraduate degree at Plymouth, you may be eligible for a fee discount if you complete your postgraduate studies here as well.
  • 10% or 20% discount on tuition fees for home students
  • For 2024/2025 entry, a 20% discount on tuition fees for international students (International alumni who have applied to the University through an agent are not eligible to receive the discount)

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

The International Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship will be offered automatically to any postgraduate taught student who meets the entry requirements outlined in their offer letter.
Scholarship value: £4,000 off your tuition fees in year one.

How to apply

Apply online

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 Additional support for students with an impairment, health condition or disability 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' 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 1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
Admissions policy
You can view or download our admissions policy from the student regulations, policies and procedures page. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.

Top 4 for food science

We're proud to rank 4th in the UK for food science subjects in the 2026 Complete University Guide.
Our suite of programmes covers the skills needed for careers as nutritionists, dietitians, and specialists in food science. These roles play a vital part supporting the NHS and healthcare sector, fitness, sport and wellbeing services that help us to lead healthier lives.
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Human nutrition is more than just human health – it's also to do with social, cultural and environmental factors. In fact, it's related to human health, population health and planetary health.

Clare PettingerDr Clare Pettinger
Associate Professor in Public Health Dietetics

Dr Clare Pettinger, Programme Lead, gives an introduction to the MSc Human Nutrition Programme. 

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

Annalise’s story

Student Annalise discusses her experience of the MSc Human Nutrition course.

Studying dietetics at the University of Plymouth

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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.
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