Program Overview

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Overview

The MSc programme aims to provide students with appropriate academic training in sport and exercise nutrition to allow graduates of the programme and following further mentored work experience in sport and exercise nutrition, to pursue registration as a sports and exercise nutritionist (SENR). Building upon the students' existing knowledge gained within relevant biosciences, the overall aim of the course is to provide an academically challenging, professionally relevant and focused programme of study for those who wish to pursue careers in sport and performance nutrition or undertake research in this area.

About this course

About

The learning for these programmes is divided into a series of modules. Taught modules have a credit value of either 15 or 30 credit points. All taught modules are delivered at level 7. The MSc project module which is 60 credits at Level 7.

Attendance

The part-time programme (over 3 calendar years; i.e. six academic semesters) is comprised of taught modules in year one and two, and a research project module in year 3. All modules are delivered by distance-learning.

Start dates

• September 2026

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Attendance and Independent Study

As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods.

Modules

Year one

Evidence-Based Practice in Sports and Exercise Nutrition

Year: 1

Status: C

A work-based module where students review, after consultation with their line manager, an aspect of their professional practice identifying evidence to support their recommendations, initiate the keeping of a professional reflective diary and submit a report of evidence to support their action research plan.

Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

Year: 1

Status: C

This module will provide an introduction to the biochemical principles of exercise metabolism and will highlight the importance of nutrition in enhancing athletic performance.

Nutritional Assessment

Year: 1

Year: 1

Status: C

This module will introduce the principles of nutritional assessment. It will review the anthropometric, biochemical and dietary assessment methodologies, including the advantages and limitations of each.

Year two

Sport-Specific Nutrition Issues

Year: 2

Status: C

This module discusses sport-specific nutrition issues and provides students with an opportunity to study in-depth current issues and challenges facing practitioners working within the area of sports nutrition.

Research Methods and Biostatistics for Food and Nutrition

Year: 2

Status: C

This module will provide a comprehensive understanding of the research methods for food, nutritional and sports sciences.

Practical Sports Nutrition

Year: 2

Status: C

This module considers the practical application of sports nutrition knowledge.

Year three

Sport and Exercise Nutrition Research Project

Year: 3

Status: C

Carrying out an original, independent piece of research from the formulation of a research question through to reporting findings in accordance with the conventions of the academic area is an important part of the research training provided by Masters level study.

Standard entry conditions

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a degree (2.2 or above) or equivalent in a related discipline that demonstrates learning of exercise physiology, biochemistry and metabolism up to at least level 6.

English Language Requirements

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

Career options within sport and exercise nutrition are expanding and include becoming a freelance sports nutritionist/performance nutritionist or working with sporting/government organisations.

Professional Recognition

This programme achieves the competencies required for graduate registration of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr).

Fees and funding

2026/27 Fees

Postgraduate fees are subject to annual review.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

On an annual basis, the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland sponsors the 'Dairy Council NI Sports Nutrition Award' for the student exiting the course with the highest mark.

Additional mandatory costs

£20 for a Nutritics software licence (annually)