Food Nutrition & Health

The programme is suitable for graduates with no formal educational background in food science or nutrition, who wish to up-skill and become competent and employable in this increasingly important and rapidly evolving field.

This programme is delivered and assessed entirely on- line. The minimum registration to the MSc is two years, however students have four years in which to complete the programme thereby affording flexibility. The flexible and online format of the programme enables the majority of students enrolling on the programme to combine studying while in employment.

Hosted by the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, the Food, Nutrition and Health programme brings together academic and research staff from across UCD in health-related aspects of food research, including food science, human and public health nutrition, food production, biosystems engineering, food law, consumer behaviour and food safety.

Students will gain an understanding of the nature of food, how it is produced, how it is affected by processing, why we eat, what happens to food when we eat it, and how food components can interact with the functioning of humans. Upon completion of the MSc graduates will be able to apply this knowledge to address nutrition-related problems in different groups, cultures and societies.

Graduates will be educated to a high level in the science of food as it pertains to human nutrition and health.

Subjects taught

Chemistry of Nutrients FDSC40500
Food Chemistry FDSC40510
Food Microbiology & Safety FDSC40520
Principles of Biochemistry FDSC40530
Food Process Technology FDSC40540
Food Marketing (O/L) FDSC40570
Principles of Sensory Science FDSC40600
Animal Foods FDSC40890
Plant Foods FDSC40920
Introduction to Nutrition HNUT40060
Nutrients in the Life Cycle HNUT40070
Omic Strategies in Nutrition HNUT40080
Pathways to Health (O/L) HNUT40090
Food Regulatory Affairs (O/L) HNUT40100
Food Quality and Safety (O/L) HNUT40110
Research Design and Statistics HNUT40130
Nutritional Assessment HNUT40150
Professional Practice HNUT40170
Clinical Nutrition O/LHNUT40250
Project FNH O/LHNUT40270
Nutritional Physiology HNUT40280
Sport and Exercise Nutrition PERS40090
Promoting Consumer Nutrition PHPS40710
Public Health Nutrition O/LPHPS40720s.

Entry requirements

The course is aimed at graduates from science-based disciplines with no previous or recent formal educational background in Food Science or Nutrition who wish to up-skill and become competent in this increasingly important and rapidly evolving area.

Applicants must hold a minimum of a Second Class Honours degree in a cognate subject (Science, Engineering or related discipline), or international equivalent.

Applicants with other awards who hold substantial relevant work experience will be considered.

Applicants who do not hold the requisite Science qualification (but who hold a Level 8 Honours degree or equivalent) have been admitted previously and are advised to submit an application for assessment by the Programme Coordinator to determine eligibility.

All applications are assessed on a case by case basis by the Programme Director.

Applicants are asked to provide a CV and Personal Statement with their application, along with Academic Transcripts (non UCD Graduates) and proof of English proficiency if required.

Applicants who would like to take a stand-alone module may do so as an Occasional Student, and should contact the School of Agriculture and Food Science directly for further details on how to apply and cost per module. Email: foodonline@ucd.ie

Application dates

The following entry routes are available:

MSc Food, Nutrition & Health PT (X436)
Duration 2 Years
Attend Part Time
Deadline Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

Duration

2 years part-time online.

Enrolment dates

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.

Post Course Info

Careers & Employability
There are excellent job prospects for graduates in Food, Nutrition and Health with graduates working in a range of roles across the food industry, public health and regulatory agencies. Graduates have the distinct advantage of bringing a nutrition or health perspective to their roles.

Within the food industry graduates will work in areas such as product innovation, technical sales, product quality enhancement, nutrition and health promotion or food labelling regulation.

Graduate Roles include:
Product Innovation
Technical Sales
Production Quality Enhancement
Health Promotion
Food Regulation

More details
  • Qualification letters

    MSc

  • Qualifications

    Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ)

  • Attendance type

    Part time

  • Apply to

    Course provider