NUTR7001
20 credits
On this module you will gain the understanding of the basic principles of nutritional biochemistry and metabolism is essential in the study of nutrition, and...
Accredited by Association for Nutrition (AfN)
Nutrition
MSc, PGDip, PGCert
Deepen your understanding of nutrition science and its relationship with human health, diet and wellbeing.
Key facts
- Duration
- Full time: MSc: 12 months, PGDip: 10 months, PGCert: 4 months
- Part time: MSc: 24 months, PGDip: 20 months, PGCert: 8 months
- Starts
- September 2027
- Level
- Master's and postgraduate
- Course code
- MSC-NN
- Location
- Headington
- School
- School of Sport, Nutrition and Allied Health Professions
About this course
Nutrition plays a vital role in health, wellbeing and disease prevention, making it one of the most important areas of science today. Whether you want to build on your existing knowledge, change career direction, or develop specialist expertise, our MSc Nutrition will help you develop the skills, confidence and scientific understanding to make an impact.
You'll explore nutrition from a range of perspectives, including public health, food science, physical activity and chronic disease. You'll develop practical skills through laboratory work, research projects and opportunities to engage with the Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health.
We welcome students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, including those who have not previously studied nutrition or a science subject (ourEssentials of Human Nutrition short course will help you prepare). You'll learn from expert academics and active researchers in a supportive environment that encourages you to challenge yourself and achieve your best.
Accreditations
- Accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN).
Designed for diverse backgrounds
Whether you're a science graduate, career changer or returning to study, we'll help you build the knowledge and confidence to succeed.
Research-led learning
Learn from active researchers and engage with the Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health and other professionals, gaining insight into the latest developments.
Beyond nutrition science
Develop expertise across nutrition, food science, public health and research methods, giving you a broad and versatile skill set.
Career-ready skills
Build practical, scientific and professional skills valued in nutrition, health, food industry, research and public health careers.
Research expertise
Our teaching is informed by research taking place within the Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health, giving you insight into the most recent views about issues in nutrition and health today.
Our centre includes academics with a range of research interests and expertise, and this diversity allows for a multi-disciplinary research approach with significant clinical and public health impact. The role of nutrition in maintaining health and quality of life is of increasing public health importance. Our research actively engages with the most current and world-leading evidence base in nutrition science and policy.
You may also have opportunities to engage with this research through your independent research project. This allows you to investigate a topic that aligns with your interests, career ambitions or future study plans, while developing valuable research and analytical skills.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| IELTS | IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in reading and writing, and 6.0 in listening and speaking. For more information, please see our English language 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.
If you do not have a first degree in a scientific subject, you may undertake the Essentials of Human Nutrition short course prior to applying for the full MSc Nutrition. This will give you the scientific basis you need to be able to succeed.
Fees and funding
Fees
| Fee types | 2026/27 | 2027/28 |
|---|---|---|
| Home full-time | £9,790 | £10,050 |
| Home part-time | £4,975 | £5,025 |
| International full-time | £18,900 | £19,900 |
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page.
Questions about fees?
Learning and assessment
The MSc Nutrition can be studied full-time over one year or part-time over two years. To achieve the MSc you'll complete 180 credits, or you can complete fewer credits and exit with a PGDip or PGCert.
You'll develop knowledge and skills across nutrition, food science, public health, physical activity, health promotion and research methods. You'll also complete an independent research project, giving you the opportunity to explore an area of nutrition that aligns with your interests, career goals or future study plans.
You'll also have opportunities to build your experience, professional network and employability. You can get involved with research and community projects, make connections with organisations across the food, health and nutrition sectors, and attend our annual careers event to learn more about careers with many top nutrition employers.
You'll learn knowledge and practical skills through a variety of learning approaches including lectures, seminars, workshops, directed reading, practical sessions and project work.
Each module requires approximately 200 hours of student input in each semester. There are approximately 36 hours of staff contact time, and typically nine hours teaching each week for 12 weeks.
Teaching is delivered by experienced academics from the School of Sport, Nutrition and Allied Health Professions, alongside guest speakers from industry, healthcare, government, research organisations and higher education. Their expertise brings current nutrition issues and real-world challenges into the classroom.
During the course, you'll be supported to develop your confidence as an independent learner, critical thinker and future nutrition professional.
You'll also benefit from the Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health, gaining insight into the latest developments in nutrition and food research.
Assessment
Assessments are designed to help you demonstrate your knowledge, practical skills and ability to apply nutrition science to real-world challenges.
We use a range of assessment methods, so you develop different skills throughout the course, from critical thinking and problem solving to communications and professional practice. These methods include:
- essays
- seminar papers
- formal written examinations
- in-class tests
- project case work
- design and verbal presentations
- workshops
- simulations
- practical exercises.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
NUTR7003
20 credits
In this module, you'll cover the properties of food components and their role in foods. You'll specifically address the measurement of food quality (including...
COMP7037
20 credits
This module is designed to equip you with the tools necessary for the scholarship and research skills needed for the computer science and cyber security fields...
NUTR7005
20 credits
In this module, you'll examine the relationships between nutrition, physical activity and health outcomes in humans. In particular, the influence of diet and...
NUTR7002
20 credits
In this module, you'll cover nutrition in the context of world health. It examines current global nutrition problems and their social context in low-income...
NUTR7012
20 credits
This module introduces you to the field of health psychology; emphasising health promotion, counselling, and goal setting in the context of diet, nutrition, and...
BIOL7006
60 credits
This module will enable you to engage in individual or group research under the guidance of a supervisor to pursue a sustained critical inquiry and gain an...
Careers
This course will prepare you for opportunities in the health, food and nutrition sectors. Career destinations could be:
- health promotion as food and health coordinators
- industry with food and drink manufacturers and retailers
- medical food companies
- food service providers
- government and policy to improve the health of the population
- research in universities, food companies or research institutes
- public health nutritionist
- global nutritionist.
Recent graduates have gone on to careers with organisations including the NHS, Médecins Sans Frontières, Coca-Cola, research laboratories and independent healthcare agencies.
The MSc can also provide a foundation for further professional training, including dietetics, or progression to doctoral study
How to apply
Our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, so module availability and course structures may vary from what is listed here. On rare occasions, we may also need to make updates to our course programmes after publication; for full details, please visit our changes to programmes page (opens in a new tab)