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Nutrition courses

If you have an aptitude for chemistry or biology and an interest in food and health a nutrition course could be for you. You will study biochemistry and physiology and topics such as food production, development of new foods, diet and exercise and public health promotion. If you are interested in helping individuals with diabetes or obesity or who need a special diet you may be interested in courses which include dietetics and qualify you to practice as a dietician.

Studying nutrition at university

Example course modules

  • Current issues for nutrition
  • The chemical foundations of life
  • Infection and immunity
  • Scientific and laboratory skills
  • Nutrition, society and ethics
  • Food science
  • Food safety and hygiene
  • Public health and health promotion
  • Biostatistics
  • Nutrition and exercise science

Teaching hours / week

Average for this subject

16
Hours
5
14
Hours

Average for all subjects

The time you'll spend in lectures and seminars each week will vary from university to university, so use this as a guide.

More on studying and contact hours at uni

Who studies this subject

  • Female : 80%
    Male : 20%
  • Mature : 38%
    School leaver : 62%
  • Full-time : 94%
    Part-time : 6%

What students say about nutrition

What you need to get on a course

Subjects you need

A-levels (or equivalent) usually required

  • Chemistry
  • Biology

Useful to have

  • Physics

Application checklist

Here's a guide to what to expect from the application process - also check individual university entry requirements, as these may differ.

  • January application
  • October application
  • Personal statement
  • Portfolio
  • Interview
  • Entry test
  • Work experience
  • Audition

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement is a core part of your university application, and getting it just right takes time. Before you start work on yours, take a look at our five quick tips on writing a personal statement. We'll help you past that writer's block!

Career prospects

Sources: HECSU & KIS
This is the subject you need to study if you want to become a dietitian – an important job in the country’s healthcare sector, and the single most common job for nutrition graduates. The population is becoming more aware of how important a good diet can be for wellbeing, and many people have special dietary needs, from individuals with food allergies to others with serious illnesses who need carefully-planned diets. So that's where graduates in nutrition come in – and we're likely to need more in the future.
Professional and accrediting bodies:

Six months after graduating

Typical graduate job areas
  • Health professionals

Longer term career paths

Jobs where this degree is useful

  • Nutritionist
  • Health information officer
  • Nutritional therapist

Other real-life job examples

  • Marketing executive
  • Financial analyst
  • Regulatory affairs officer

What employers like about this subject

Studying nutrition will help students to develop subject-specific skills in areas including physiology and biochemistry; in understanding food development; production and processing and in the interpretation and communication of nutritional information to a range of audiences. You can also develop useful transferable skills including good communication skills, team-working, project management, problem-solving, self-motivation, research and excellent numeracy skills. Nutrition graduates are employed in hospitals, GP practices, social care organisations, universities, the food industry, life science research and the finance industry.