Program Overview

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Applied Human Nutrition

MSc or PGDip or PGCert

Overview

Nutrition is one of the most important factors contributing to human health. It’s an exciting and evolving field where your work could change lives and transform communities.

We’re home to the renowned Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health. You’ll have regular contact with top researchers throughout the course where you will hear the latest insights. Get involved in studies – as an assistant or work alongside them to gain key experience for your CV.

You’ll also focus on developing practical skills, working in labs and participating in projects. You’ll cover a range of topics, from nutrition in low-income countries to the impact of diet and physical activity on disease. These reflect the specialisms of our teaching team, which includes registered dietitians, nutritionists and specialists in areas like public health, chronic conditions or nutrition for sports.

If your scientific skills need sharpening before you start the course, you can take a short course with us. It doesn’t matter what your background is, we’re here to help you into the dynamic world of nutrition.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Home of cutting-edge research
• Practical and career focused
• Immerse yourself
• A valuable first step
• Ideal location
• Accreditation(s)

Course details

Course structure

The MSc takes 1 year and you’ll need to complete 180 credits. You can also choose to exit with a PGDip or PGCert if you don’t complete the full MSc. The course is available full time over 1 year, or part time over 2 years.

The 6 taught modules cover a wide breadth of topics relevant to many careers in the food or healthcare sectors. You’ll also complete a research project where you’ll explore a subject in more depth with support from one of our academics. This is your chance to specialise in an area relevant to your career goals or simply find out more about an area that interests you.

Beyond the assessed elements of the course, we provide lots of opportunities for you to develop your CV, gain experience and expand your network. You can get involved in projects with groups like the Healthy Ageing Network and make links with our stakeholders, including food companies or healthcare organisations. Also, don’t forget to attend our popular annual careers event, where you can find out more about careers with many top nutrition employers.

Learning and teaching

You will learn using a variety of methods, including:

• lectures
• directed reading
• workshops
• seminars
• practical work
• project work.

Each module requires 200 hours of student input in each twelve week semester. There are approximately 36 hours of staff contact time. There is typically three hours teaching each week for 12 weeks.

Our teaching staff are drawn primarily from the Department of Sport and Health Sciences. We also invite visiting speakers from:

• business and industry
• local government
• consultancies
• research bodies
• other universities.

The Oxford Centre for Nutrition and Health (OxBCNH) is an internationally-renowned research group consisting of visiting professors, fellows, research assistants and PhD students. All of whom are researching nutrition and food topics.

Assessment

Your performance in each module is assessed by:

• evaluation of your written or design work
• verbal presentations.

We use a range of assessment methods, such as:

• essays
• seminar papers
• formal written examinations
• in-class tests
• project case work
• design and verbal presentations
• workshops
• simulations
• practical exercises.

Study modules

The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.

Taught modules

• Fundamentals of Human Nutrition (20 credits)
• Food Science (20 credits)
• Research Methods (20 credits)
• Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health (20 credits)
• Global Nutrition and Public Health (20 credits)
• Health Promotion and Professional Practice Across the Lifespan (20 credits)

Final project

• Research Project (60 credits)

Research

Our research areas and clusters include:

• glycaemic control and the development of low glycaemic index foods
• female nutrition and the role of the menstrual cycle in energy regulation
• appetite and satiety
• childhood obesity and the factors influencing it
• sensory testing of foods
• weight management
• management of type two diabetes with nutrition and physical activity
• functional food ingredients and their effect on energy regulation
• antioxidant properties of foods.

Careers

Recent nutrition students have gone on to some exciting and wide-ranging careers with organisations like the NHS, Médecins Sans Frontières, Coca Cola, and many different research labs or independent healthcare agencies.

You might use the course to combine new skills with your existing job. Maybe you’re already working in the food or health industry and want to specialise. Or perhaps you fancy a change of career. With the broad range of skills you’ll develop here, and the international nature of the course, you’ll have plenty of options open to you.

Career destinations you might consider include:

• health promotion as food and health coordinators
• industry with food and drink manufacturers and retailers
• medical food companies
• food service providers
• trade associations
• government and policy to improve the health of the population
• research in universities, food companies or research institutes
• specialised training, in dietetics for example
• further study with a PhD.

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

In order to successfully complete a postgraduate course, applicants are usually expected to have (or be about to attain) at least a second class honours degree in a related scientific subject from a recognised institution of higher education. If you do not have these academic qualifications, you could still be offered a place on this course if you can show evidence of the potential to succeed based on professional and/or related experiences.

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an Academic IELTS score of 6.5 (with 6.5 in Reading and Writing, and 6.0 in Listening and Speaking) is required.

Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.

Tuition fees

2025 / 26

• Home (UK) full time: £9,750
• Home (UK) part time: £4,875
• International full time: £18,350

2026 / 27

• Home (UK) full time: £9,950
• Home (UK) part time: £4,975
• International full time: £18,900

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.