MSc Public Health Nutrition

This MSc in Public Health Nutrition will provide you with the specialist scientific knowledge and practical skills required to meet the nutritional challenges of the 21st century. The course is designed to produce graduates who possess the appropriate skills, knowledge and expertise to make significant contributions to the field of nutrition, at both national and international level. If you are interested in a degree that combines the science of nutrition with an understanding of chronic disease management, sustainability, and ways to implement effective change with individuals, groups and populations then this is the programme for you.

What will I study?

All modules on the programme are designed to enhance your understanding of the scientific evidence that underpins public health nutrition, from the rationale behind dietary recommendations and reference nutrient intakes through to strategies and policies to improve population health through nutrition.

You will learn about the metabolism of nutrients with regards to their effect on the causation and prevention of disease, while exploring the psychological models of behaviour and behaviour change in relation to food choice. Global health challenges, such as maternal and child nutrition, sustainable food production and food poverty, will also be considered.

Alongside this you will study emerging topics in the field of nutrition that have an impact on health status. This will include issues such as nutrigenomics and the impact of sugar intake on health.

The knowledge and skills you develop throughout the course will be utilised in a project-based module that will provide you with the opportunity to complete a research project relevant to your own interests or area of employment. You will be supervised by one of the experts within the faculty and encouraged to submit your work for publication if appropriate. Your journey into research will be underpinned by a dedicated module enhancing your knowledge of research methods and the research process.

What are my career prospects?

This programme provides ideal preparation to progress into nutrition-related roles in many organisations within the public and private sector. These include local authorities, charitable organisations, the NHS, health promotion organisations, the leisure industry and the private sector. Example potential roles could include nutritionists for food retailers, scientific officers for Public Health England, policy and communication officers, nutrition and health advisors for the Ministry of Defence Police, or healthy lifestyle specialists.

Alternatively, you may wish to progress onto PhD study to further develop a specialist knowledge of nutrition.