Program Overview

Global Public Health Nutrition MSc

Overview

Our Global Public Health Nutrition MSc will give you the specialist scientific knowledge and practical skills to take an active role in global public health nutrition in a range of different settings.

Course Structure

• Attendance: Full-time - September 2026, Full-time - September 2025, Part-time day - September 2025, Part-time day - September 2026
• Fees: More Details
• Alumni Discount: See details
• Duration: 1 year
• Campus: Cavendish, Central London

Course Summary

Nutrition has long been recognised as a vitally important determinant of health status within both industrialised and industrialising countries. Significant changes are occurring in the profile of nutritional problems. Many countries continue to face problems of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, but countries in economic transition also face the public health challenge of rising rates of diet-related chronic disease, such as obesity and coronary heart disease. Also, many industrialised countries now face problems of food insecurity among low-income groups. These challenges have led to growing political resources to address nutrition.

Top Reasons to Study with Us

• Our course takes a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding health and disease as related to food and nutrition, to reflect the changing profile of public health
• We deliver a broad but balanced approach to the understanding of nutritional issues, in which the perspectives of social science are explored as well as the more traditional disciplines of nutrition, epidemiology and statistics
• We offer a unique Essentials of Nutrition access course for those without an undergraduate degree in nutrition or health
• Our modules are linked to global targets such as global nutrition targets and Sustainable Development Goals, including a module on global challenges focusing on climate change and the food system
• Our teaching staff have strong links with employers , in diverse fields such as school feeding programmes, population weight management programmes and addressing food insecurity in all contexts. Many are alumni of the course
• Our course team is research-active , and in previous years have involved students in ongoing research programmes with all assessments supporting employability skills
• In previous years , field research trips have included locations such as Ethiopia and Zanzibar, and students have also undertaken research within London boroughs and UK NGOs

Course Modules

Core Modules

• Concepts and Principles of Nutrition
  • This module introduces you to the basic concepts and principles of nutritional science that underpin the theory and practice of public health nutrition.
  • 20 credits
• Diet and Disease
  • This module will introduce the discipline of public health within an international context.
  • 20 credits
• Nutrition Interventions and Programme Planning
  • This module examines evidence-based approaches to the prevention, management and control of nutritional disorders of public health significance.
  • 20 credits
• Policy and Governance for Public Health Nutrition
  • This module introduces the political influences on health and nutrition policies and governance.
  • 20 credits
• Research Methods for Health Science I
  • This module aims to develop your knowledge and competence of the research design process, exploring both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and quality assurance tools to be used in the application of research methods in the area of global public health nutrition.
  • 20 credits
• Research Methods for Health Sciences II and Research Project
  • This module project is an extended piece of research on a relevant topic that you are interested in, with the approval of your supervisor and course leader.
  • 40 credits

Option Modules

• Global Challenges for Food and Health
  • This module will explore the many challenges to sustainable, safe and equitable food supplies.
  • 20 credits
• Nutritional Assessment
  • You will cover the theory and techniques used to assess nutritional status, and gain practical skills in the measurement of body composition, energy expenditure and anthropometry.
  • 20 credits
• Nutrition in Emergencies
  • This module is designed to provide an overview of nutrition in humanitarian emergencies.
  • 20 credits
• Community Engagement in Health, Physical Activity and Nutrition
  • This module gives you the opportunity to gain essential skills and experience in working with communities and public health nutrition organisations to promote population health and well being.
  • 20 credits

Professional Accreditation

The course is accredited by the Association for Nutrition as part fulfilment of the requirements for registration as an associate Public Health Nutritionist. Students on this course can also apply for membership and certification with the World Public Health Nutrition Association.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a relevant discipline including science or a social science subject.
• Students from a non-nutrition background are welcome to apply but they will be invited to complete our Essentials of Nutrition course, which has four short assessments.
• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
• Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: Tuition fees have yet to be confirmed for this course (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: Tuition fees have yet to be confirmed for this course (Price per academic year)
• Alumni discount: This course is eligible for an alumni discount.
• Funding: There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
• Scholarships: The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods: Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• Assessment: Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories: practical and coursework.

Research Groups

• Food Nutrition and Public Health Research Group
• Future of Public Health Nutrition Research Group
• Health and Wellbeing Research Group

Supporting You

• Study support: Workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors: Support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team: Provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities: Volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

• Cavendish Campus: Our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring.
• Location: Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.