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The MSc Human Nutrition is an Association for Nutrition (AfN) and Hong Kong Nutritionists Society (HKNS) accredited course for bio-science graduates looking for a master's degree in nutrition.

  • AfN and HKNS accredited programme.
  • This course allows you to study alongside other work requirements.
  • Optional modules include sports nutrition and nutrigenomics.
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Why study Human Nutrition?

The proportion of adults living in the UK categorised as obese continues to rise...

Current data from The Health Survey for England suggests that nearly 30% of adults are obese, predisposing them to greater risk of diabetes, cancer and coronary heart disease.

In an attempt to reduce levels of obesity and other diet related health problems numerous government initiatives have been launched such as Healthy Lives, Healthy People; the National Child Measurement Programme; the Public Health Responsibility Deal and the Change4Life campaign, with the aim of preventing people from becoming overweight by encouraging them to eat healthily and move more.

Increased awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and the association between diet and health at all stages of life has led to a growth of public interest in the subject of nutrition.

Why St Mary's?

The course has been designed to enable you to continue working alongside your studies. You will only attend St Mary’s University for one day a week in semester one (plus an intensive week in September), in semester two you will attend two days a week.

The programme has been accredited by The AfN (AC282) and HKNS. This accreditation allows successful MSc students direct entry to the UK Voluntary Register for Nutritionists (UKVRN) as an Associate Nutritionist, and for direct registration as a Registered Associate Nutritionist (RANutr) of the HKNS.

For graduates returning to Hong Kong, The HKNS will arrange freshly graduated RANutr to join our guidance program to accumulate practical experience under the guidance of experienced Registered Nutritionists (RNutr), with a view to prepare the RANutr for independent practice in the future.

Entry requirements

2:2 Previous degree

Applicants with at least a lower second-class degree related to the bio-science field will be considered.

Additional requirement information

You will be asked to attend an informal interview prior to acceptance.

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section (or equivalent).

We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.

For international applicants, the interview can be conducted by telephone/skype.

Further information

For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.

Course content

Modules

  • Directed Study PGDip only
  • Principles of Human Nutrition I Core
  • Principles of Human Nutrition II Core
  • Food and Nutrition Policy and Health Promotion Core
  • Nutrition and Chronic Disease Core
  • Life Cycle Nutrition Core
  • Nutrigenomics Optional
  • Research Study Core
  • Professional Skills Core
  • Sports Nutrition Optional

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

Career opportunities

In today’s market place, employers are seeking staff who are suitably skilled and qualified to undertake their roles and responsibilities.

A master's degree in Human Nutrition provides you with the theoretical underpinning together with relevant practical skills to enable you to practice in the fields of nutrition and public health.

The MSc/PGDip programme in Human Nutrition is suitable for individuals wishing to pursue careers in:

  • Community nutrition
  • Primary care trusts
  • Food advocacy
  • Public health and health promotion organisations
  • Teaching in further and higher education institution

The PGCert in Human Nutrition is suitable for individuals wishing to develop their nutritional knowledge and for Continued Professional Development.

The Careers Service has more information on graduate careers and part-time work available during your course.

How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

A wide range of teaching methods are employed. There is a considerable amount of student involvement in sessions and great emphasis is placed on developing communication skills.

Assessment methods

Students are expected to undertake a significant amount of work outside formal contact hours. Assessment methods vary across modules and include written coursework, presentations and examinations.

Qualifications available

  • PGCert: Students will take two core modules and one optional module.
  • PGDip: Students will take three core modules plus two optional modules in addition to a directed study.
  • MSc: Students will take five core modules plus one optional module in addition to a research project. Full-time students will be required to attend one full-day a week in addition to two intensive week long modules, one in September and one in January

Fees and funding

2020/21 fees

  • Home/EU: £8,660
  • International: £13,650

The UK Government has confirmed that EU applicants starting in 2020 remain eligible for 'home fee status' and can access financial support.

Part-time fees

Part-time students will be charged for the modules undertaken per academic year. Module prices are calculated as a percentage of credits against the total credits and cost of the degree.

Tuition fees are subject to an inflationary increase each year, meaning if your course runs over more than one academic year you may pay an increased fee per module for each subsequent year of study. Tuition fee increases for returning students will be capped at the higher of 5% per annum or the rate of Consumer Price Index inflation in the United Kingdom.

Funding

The tuition fees listed on this page are for the 2018/19 academic year. For information on fees for other academic years - along with information about financing your studies - please check the Fees & Funding section.

International Students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.

Government-funded loans of over £11,000 are available to many UK/EU postgraduate students.

For guidance about financing your studies, including information about the government-funded loans, please check out Fees & Funding section.

International Students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.

Alumni discount

A 20% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken For further information about additional costs please contact alexandra.king@stmarys.ac.uk.

Facilities

View all facilities

Further information

Previous dissertations

  1. Through the Media Lens to Reality: The Weight Loss Action of Raspberry Ketones (A Pilot Study)
  2. Increasing dietary fibre intake among British adults through nutrition education and its impact on health
  3. An Intervention Examining the Effectiveness of an Online Behaviour Change Tool as a Means of Altering Diet and Exercise Behaviours.
  4. Man with a pan: A Social Cognitive Theory driven nutrition workshop in elderly male populations.