Program Overview

Public Health Nutrition PGDip

Overview

The Public Health Nutrition PGDip course is designed for graduates with an interest in people, health, and nutrition. The course focuses on core public health nutrition issues, such as the relationship between nutrition and health, and the way in which sociological and psychological factors influence food choice.

Study Options

• Full-Time
• Part-Time at Exton Park, Chester

Level

• Postgraduate

UCAS Code

• N/A

Start Date

• Oct 2025, Oct 2026

Duration

• 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Location

• Exton Park, Chester

UK Fees

• £5,850 for the full course (2025/26)

International Fees

• TBC

Accreditations

• Association for Nutrition (2016) Competence requirements for programme accreditation

Course Summary

The course is designed to equip students with an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of nutrition, and to evaluate critically, arguments, assumptions, concepts and research data in the field.

Why You'll Love It

• Industry Links: Close links with the NHS and other relevant organisations to deliver leading-edge courses and research.
• Learning Site: Modern teaching and learning amenities, including bespoke exercise physiology and clinical nutrition laboratories.
• Research Active Staff: Experienced team of researchers with an international reputation.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Professional Perspectives
• Key Concepts of Nutrition
• Public Health Promotion and Policy
• Nutrition in Health and Disease
• Sociology and Psychology and Public Health
• Research Methods and Data Analysis
• Developing Healthier Communities

Module Aims

• Professional Perspectives: To expose students to a range of subject expertise and opinion on topics that relate to the areas that surround public health nutrition.
• Key Concepts of Nutrition: To equip students with an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of nutrition.
• Public Health Promotion and Policy: To provide students with a knowledge and systematic understanding of public food, nutrition and health policy.
• Nutrition in Health and Disease: To provide students with an understanding of the nature of the diet and its relationship to the health and disease of different groups within the population.
• Sociology and Psychology and Public Health: To provide an understanding of the biopsychosocial underpinnings of normal and abnormal eating behaviours.
• Research Methods and Data Analysis: To expose students to the essential elements in the process of conducting sound scientific research.
• Developing Healthier Communities: To enable students to integrate and apply knowledge and skills in public health nutrition to the development of programme planning.

Who You'll Learn From

• Professor Stephen Fallows
• Seona Dunne

How You'll Learn

• Lectures
• Lab work
• Workshops
• Coursework
• Examination

Beyond the Classroom

• Placement opportunities to apply what you have learnt to real scenarios in the workplace.

Entry Requirements

• Home Students: Honours degree (minimum 2:2 honours or equivalent) in human nutrition, biological science, or health science.
• International Students: Honours degree (minimum 2:2 honours or equivalent) in human nutrition or biological/health science.
• English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in each band) or equivalent.

Where You'll Study

• Exton Park, Chester

Fees and Funding

• Home Students: £5,850 for the full course (2025/26)
• International Students: TBC
• Additional Costs: Books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software.
• Bursaries: The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.

Your Future Career

• Careers service: The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences.
• Employability: The course is designed to support all students, but particularly those balancing their studies with personal and work commitments.