Human Nutrition

Overview

Human Nutrition is the scientific study of the foods we eat, the nutrients in foods, the fate of the nutrients when they are eaten and the effects of diet on health and well being. As a graduate nutritionist, you will have the skills to elicit, disseminate, and apply knowledge drawn from the relevant sciences to promote an understanding of the effects of diet on human health and well-being.



This master's course is a 12 month full-time intensive programme. The programme will provide students with a broad knowledge and understanding of human nutrition, developing scientific and research skills to master's level. Two taught semesters provide study in core modules in human nutrition. The human nutrition research project is an integral part of this programme where students undertake an independent research project under close supervision.



Work placement / study abroad

This course requires students to undertake a 3 month research project embedded within a nutrition research environment in Ulster University. There are no external placements or internships within this programme.

F/T Programme

Year one

Applied Nutrition

Biochemistry and Molecular Approaches to Nutrition

Public Health and Nutrition Communication

Research Methods and Biostatistics for Nutritional Sciences

Nutrition Research Project

Nutritional Assessment



Optional:

Nutritional Metabolism in Sports and Exercise

Nutrition and Health Claims in the UK and Europe

Nutritional Controversies

Food Science & Microbiology

Supply Chain Management Applied to Functional Foods



P/T Programme

Year one

Applied Nutrition

Public Health and Nutrition Communication

Nutritional Assessment



Optional

Nutritional Controversies



Year two

Biochemistry and Molecular Approaches to Nutrition

Food Science & Microbiology

Research Methods and Biostatistics for Food and Nutrition



Optional

Nutritional Metabolism in Sports and Exercise

Nutrition and Health Claims in the UK and Europe

Supply Chain Management Applied to Functional Foods



Year three

Nutrition Research Project

Applicants must have gained a second class BSc Hons degree (2:2) or higher in a science based course which has provided substantial background and fundamentals in core science subjects in particular biochemistry and also physiology/anatomy or equivalent science subjects from a recognised institution.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for students whose first language is not English



The minimum requirement is Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual section less than 6.0

Graduates must be able to communicate in English to the equivalent of IELTS level 6.5 with no element below 6.0 to be eligible to apply for registration with Association for Nutrition.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements

• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country



Exemptions and transferability

Studies pursued and examinations passed in respect of other qualifications awarded by the University or another university or other educational institution, or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning, may be accepted as exempting candidates from part of the programme provided that they shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level in respect of a Masters award at least 50% of the credit value of the award in respect of a Postgraduate Diploma.



No exemption is permitted from the research project.



Students cannot transfer to MSc Dietetics.

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

12-months, Full-Time, 3-years, Part-Time.

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

The academic content of the programme, together with the experience gained from the Masters research project, leads to excellent employment opportunities within industry, nutrition research, health promotion, public health, personalised nutrition i.e. in the areas of metabolomics, nutrigenomics or in nutrition overseas. Some graduates choose to pursue higher research degrees (PhD) or to pursue further taught study in the area of human nutrition, dietetics, sports nutrition or to complete a PGCE and become teachers of science, home economics or biology at both this University or at other institutions of higher education and research.