Newcastle University

Food and Human Nutrition BSc Honours
UCAS Code: B4D6 (4 Years)

• Course Overview
• Modules
• Entry Requirements
• Careers
• Finance

Our health and general well-being depend on eating the right amounts of the right kind of food.

Scientific research has given us an excellent understanding of the fundamental aspects of nutrition, including what makes up a balanced diet, how our bodies use different foods, and how we can be confident that our food is safe to eat.

This degree provides a unique opportunity to study the impact of nutrition on health and disease, from the cell and molecular level through to people and populations.

You will also discover the impact of food composition and processing on nutritional value, quality and consumer acceptance.

At all Stages you can choose optional modules from other areas of the University, including marketing, psychology, biology and biomedical sciences, enabling you to develop skills appropriate for all areas of the food industry and research.

Professional accreditation

This degree is professionally accredited by the Association for Nutrition. This means our graduates can apply for direct entry onto the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists at the Associate level. This would then entitle you to use the letters ANutr after your name, without having to go through the lengthy process of additional assessment that is required from graduates of courses that are not accredited.

See the Association of Nutrition's website for further benefits of studying on an accredited course.

Quality and ranking

Newcastle is ranked in the top 4 UK universities for food science in The Complete University Guide 2014.

Teaching and assessment

Research-informed teaching plays an important role at Newcastle. It shapes the content of our undergraduate degrees and makes sure that you have chance to cover the most up-to-date theories and discoveries in your subject.

This degree is supported by the activities of the University’s Human Nutrition Research Centre (HNRC). This plays a significant role in informing nutrition policy at national and international levels. There are three research themes within the HNRC:

• Molecular Nutrition
• Food Quality and Health
• Public Health Nutrition

Contact hours are made up of a combination of lectures, seminars, small group tutorials, and practical classes. You are encouraged to supplement your teaching with weekly private study of recommended reading materials. 

All courses are formally assessed, mostly by unseen written examinations (including essay questions, short answer and problem solving) and by course work (including essays, laboratory or case-study reports, in-course tests, research project work, oral and poster presentations). In Stage 3 you undertake your own piece of supervised research and prepare a dissertation. Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module; more information can be found in our individual module listings.

Work placement

You will carry out a paid work placement in the UK or abroad between Stages 2 and 3. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your knowledge in a work setting.

You will also gain valuable experience of preparing a CV, applying for a job and undergoing an interview with your prospective placement host. You will receive plenty of support throughout this process from our award-winning Careers Service.

There are placement opportunities in the UK and abroad. Past students have worked at companies including Premier Foods, Kraft Foods, ASDA and the MRC Human Nutrition Research Unit in Cambridge.

During the placement, you collate evidence of your work experience and skills development as a portfolio. This will be submitted for the award of a Licentiateship of the City and Guilds Institute, London (equivalent to NVQ Level 4). We are currently the only nutrition course in the UK to offer this opportunity to gain an additional qualification in recognition of the development of personal, transferable skills in the workplace.

Study abroad

UK and EU students have the chance to broaden their academic experience by taking part in a study abroad exchange at Geissen University in Germany.

School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

This degree is taught within the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. The School's main teaching and laboratory facilities are located on campus in the Agriculture Building. You also have chance to join the student-led Agric society, which is responsible for fostering a close community spirit within the School.