Newcastle University

Nutrition and Psychology BSc Honours
UCAS Code: BC48 (3 or 4 Years)

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

This degree is part of our Joint Honours in Science scheme and allows you to study the complementary subjects of nutrition and psychology.

By studying two subjects, you develop a broad range of expertise and a set of skills that spans two specialist areas, preparing you for a wide range of careers.

Dividing your study equally between your two subject areas, you select from the same range of topics as Single Honours students and achieve the same high academic standard, but you cover fewer topics in each subject. 

There is considerable overlap between both subjects, making this a rich and relevant degree. For example, consumer behaviours and decisions on food choice have a significant impact on health outcomes, including risks for obesity, heart disease and some cancers. These behaviours are affected by strong psychological aspects, which impact on people’s perception of nutrition and health. 

On this degree, you benefit from the expert teaching of both the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the School of Psychology, and will enjoy the facilities and student community in both Schools. 

The challenge of mastering two subjects produces graduates who are well-prepared for the multidisciplinary challenges of the real-world, drawing on and developing skills in time management, organisation and self-motivation that employers value.

You will also receive careers support as part of your degree, including a bespoke career development module personally tailored to your professional development, and excellent support from the University’s award-winning Careers Service.

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 the chance to cover the most up-to-date theories and discoveries in your subjects.

This degree is supported by the activities of the University’s Human Nutrition Research Centre (HNRC) and the Institute of Neuroscience. Both play a significant role in shaping the development of their respective subject areas.

Modules are assessed by course work and examination and continue throughout the course. In the third year you carry out a piece of research of your own, alongside your choice of specialist modules that are typically assessed by written examinations or assignments.

Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module; more information can be found in our individual module listings. 

Student support

The School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is the administrative home for your degree. This means that, although you will not be studying modules delivered by the School, you will receive support from the staff based there, including a senior tutor from within the School.

To ensure you are fully supported during your degree:

• we have an active system of student support in place, with student buddies to guide you through the early weeks and a dedicated academic support team
• you will be individually supported by a personal tutor, as well as advisers for both of your subject areas
• you will join a strong student community in the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, as well as in the Schools that deliver your teaching

We encourage you to join our extremely active student societies. Our societies run a wide range of academic and non-academic activities throughout the year to help you get to know people from your respective subject areas, as well as other people on your course.

Work placement

You have the option to carry out a work placement in the food industry between Stages 2 and 3. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your knowledge in a work setting and gain valuable work experience and life skills that will help to set you apart from other food graduates in the marketplace.

You will also gain 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 and staff in the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.

There are placement opportunities in the UK and abroad. Past placements have included: Cadbury, Kraft Foods, Northern Foods, ASDA and Masterfoods. 

You will be required to stay in regular contact with the School during your placement year and to provide monthly updates on your progress. Where possible, a member of academic staff will also visit you on your placement.

Facilities

As a Joint Honours in Science student, you will divide your time equally between your subjects and their respective academic Schools.

For your study of nutrition, you will be based in the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development in the Agriculture Building. For the psychology half of your study, you will be based in the School of Psychology's Ridley Building.

Both buildings are based on the University’s main campus adjacent to the city centre.