Nutritional Science MSc
2 Years Part-Time | September Start

Throughout this course you will be encouraged to embrace your creativity, to approach problems innovatively, and to develop employment and entrepreneurship skills through assessment tasks.

Modules are assessed via combinations of examinations, coursework, and seminar presentations. You will be provided with the best possible learning experience through wet lab and IT-based classes, which will include data collection and the use of specialist software such as Microdiet© for dietary assessment.

Our projects are of particular value in consolidating and putting into action the discipline knowledge. Projects are given in nutritionally relevant topics and you will be mentored by expert academic members of staff who work in close collaboration with health, nutrition, policy organisations via current research programmes and consultancies.

You will be mentored by expert academics who work in close collaboration with health, nutrition, and policy organisations via research programmes and consultancies.

Our teaching staff is made up of industry specialists and registered nutritionists from a broad range of backgrounds. Each academic brings with them vast experience, from working within various areas of the health sector, to conducting research on behalf of government departments and within leading hospitals.

They are all actively engaged in contemporary research and consultancy – leading the agenda in areas such as metabolomics, complex public health interventions as well as public engagement.

The school also has a range of technical staff with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, nutrition, sport and exercise. An academic member of staff as well as a highly experienced technician will supervise all of your practical work.

You will benefit from modern laboratory facilities including designated laboratories for Food Technology, Sensory Evaluation, Food Analysis, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. There is also specialised computer software for dietary evaluation and statistical analysis.

Technology enabled learning is embedded in the Nutritional Science MSc.

All academic materials are available on your online learning platform (eLP), allowing you to learn at your own pace and stay up to date, wherever you are.

Digital reading lists provide instant access to key texts and you’ll be able to submit and receive feedback on assessments electronically. Electronic discussion boards such as wikis and blogs are used for networking, support and review. 

You’ll always be given a full understanding of the scope, method and application of your studies, helping you to progress and readying you for your next job or further research.

Research rich learning is a core component of the teaching strategy at Northumbria, and we are highly focused on building sustainable partnerships with industry and commerce.

You will learn from academics that have a research background relevant to the module content. You will take part in discussions during lectures, seminars and tutorials about current nutrition research and will undertake a research project from April-September.

Research topics include: early years and preschool nutrition, nutrition in the elderly, and in deprived families, and the evaluation of a number of school nutrition/physical activity interventions funded by Public Health England and Newcastle United Foundation.

During the Nutritional Science MSc you will gain the experience of carrying out research and gaining valuable skills within an academic and professional environment.

Nutritional Science is a discipline of high importance in both the public and scientific agendas for a number of reasons. Nutritional scientists endeavour to understand and reduce the impact of a broad number of diet related diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The chief goals of the nutritional science sector are to secure a healthy ageing population and avoid malnutrition.

This Nutritional Science MSc will equip you with the knowledge and transferable skills for you to gain professional employment to start your own business venture or go on to further postgraduate study and research.

The course will allow you to engage with employers directly through work related learning experience, STEM ambassador activities or other volunteering opportunities.

The skills learnt and assessed through the course will develop your employability, and the research project will enhance your enterprise and entrepreneurship and will be recognised and valued by future employers.