Food nutrition courses you can expect in the UK

16-06-23 / 6 min read

Portrait of beautiful smiling nutritionist looking at camera and showing healthy vegetables in the consultation

Studying food nutrition courses enables learners to obtain a solid, foundational understanding of the core principles of human nutrition.

Students on these courses can expect a comprehensive curriculum which not only covers the essential biochemical, physiological, and behavioural studies of nutrition, but also provides a core understanding of food science and health.

Learning will typically involve taking part in lectures, practical laboratory sessions, and research assignments to be completed individually – helping students to build their own independent learning skills to support them throughout their food nutrition course.

What can you expect from a food and nutrition course in the UK?

A wide rsnge of BSc and MSc food nutrition courses are available in the UK which enable students to gain the understanding they need for a successful career in nutrition, food science, or public health.

The following food nutrition courses involve a wide range of assessment methods to determine your final grade. These include written reports, presentations, team-based projects, exams, and dissertations.

BSc (Hons) Nutrition

Offering students a comprehensive overview of the research and studies which form the basis of human nutrition, this undergraduate food nutrition course helps learners to understand the complex relationship between diet and health.

During their time on this course, students will learn about the composition and function of various nutrients and their effect on the body and the mind, as well as the critical role nutrition plays in the prevention of disease and the promotion of good health.

Core modules include:

Anatomy and physiology
Biochemistry and chemical science
Cell biology
Food science and nutrition
Food sustainability
Nutrition and health
Food manufacturing and processing
Food perception and product design
Food safety and microbiology
Food science and chemistry
Human metabolism and clinical biochemistry
Life course and health
Clinical nutrition and dietetics
Food product development
Sports nutrition and physiology

BSc (Hons) Dietetics

The ideal food nutrition course designed for those who want to become registered dietitians, providing students with fundamental scientific and clinical knowledge on nutrition.

Learners will also have the opportunity to explore the practical skills required for proper dietetic practice through hands-on experiences and supervised clinical placements within a variety of healthcare settings.

Core modules include:

Nutritional biochemistry
Physiology and genetics
Human nutrition, food studies and the life cycle
Psychosocial aspects of patient-centred care
Nutritional epidemiology & public health nutrition
Pathophysiology
Metabolism and pharmacology
Metabolism and immunology
Dietetics in practice
Leadership roles for sustainability

BSc (Hons) Food Science and Nutrition

This undergraduate food nutrition course combines the principles of food science with the fundamentals of nutrition, to enable students to discover the intrinsic link between the two and how this affects our daily lives and our food choices.

Not only will they focus on the development of nutritious and safe food products, but students will also learn about what goes on behind the scenes in the food industry – including food processing, preservation, quality control, and the nutritional properties of various ingredients.

Core modules include:

Biochemistry
Cell biology
Food science and nutrition
Principles of nutrition and health
Biochemistry: building blocks of life
Food microbiology
Food science: perception, processing and preservation
Human nutrition
Nutritional physiology & metabolism
Food analysis and quality control
New product development
Food: chemistry, functionality and health effects
Food security
Food technology and safety

BSc (Hons) Nutritional Sciences

This is an undergraduate food nutrition course which offers students the chance to obtain a solid foundational understanding of nutrition – specifically the biological and chemical areas of this field.

During their time on this food nutrition course, students will discover the role of nutrients in human health, exploring the impact different diets can have, and how poor eating can increase the risk of developing certain diseases.

Core modules include:

Cell biology and genetics
Biochemistry
Anatomy and physiology
Nutrition
Food science
Human metabolism
Nutrition through the lifecycle
Analytical and food chemistry
Food microbiology
Product development and sensory analysis
Food and nutrition – policy and issues
Food quality and safety
Food processing and preservation
Investigative sport and exercise nutrition
Clinical nutrition

MSc Human Nutrition

This postgraduate food nutrition course equips students with advanced knowledge and research skills around human nutrition.

Specifically, students will explore the latest developments in nutritional sciences, developing their own understanding of cutting-edge research to critically evaluate current theories.

Their research findings can then be used to inform their own nutritional practice and policies.

Core modules include:

Fundamental nutrition
Sustainable diets
Nutritional epidemiology
Nutritional assessment
Molecular nutrition and biochemistry
Public health promotion
Food composition and analysis

MSc Sports and Exercise Nutrition

This highly specialised food and nutrition course enables students to focus on the role nutrition plays in sports performance and recovery.

Equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for a career in the sports nutrition industry, learning involves the design and implementation of evidence-based nutrition strategies for athletes and active individuals.

This will help learners to gain a deeper understanding of the physiological and metabolic responses to rigorous exercise and training, and how nutrition can be used to gain a competitive advantage.

Core modules include:

Biochemical basis of sport and exercise nutrition
Advanced performance nutrition
Assessment of health and fitness
Concepts and principles of human nutrition
Essentials of nutrition and performance
Nutritional assessment

MSc Clinical Nutrition

This food nutrition course is a specialised postgraduate programme which has the aim of advancing graduates’ knowledge and skills around clinical nutrition.

Enabling students to become clinical nutritionists or healthcare professionals focusing on nutrition, students will explore the role food and drink plays in the prevention and management of various diseases and health conditions – including how evidence-based nutrition interventions can improve the health of patients.

Core modules include:

Health research
Principles of nutrition
Body composition practical
Nutrition support
Clinical nutrition and public health

MSc Public Health Nutrition

Providing students with the skills and advanced knowledge required for careers in public health nutrition, this postgraduate programme explores the role nutrition plays in population health – including the management of public health epidemics via government-funded programmes.

During this food nutrition course, students will explore designing, implementing and evaluating various nutrition programmes in use today which work to address public health issues whilst promoting health equity.

Core modules include: