Human Nutrition BSc Honours
- UCAS code: B46D
- Full time
- 3 years
- Next start date: September 2023
Our accredited human nutrition degree explores the links between diet and health and will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to make an impact through a career in nutrition.
Fees (per year)
- Home: £9250
- International: £25800
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
This three-year human nutrition degree focuses on developing your practical, professional and research skills so you graduate career-ready.
Our industry-recognised qualification helps to fast-track your career, so you can apply for direct entry into the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists as soon as you graduate.
Our degree curriculum is informed by research, which ensures you're learning about the most up-to-date and relevant theories, along with the latest discoveries in the industry. Our human nutrition course explores the links between diet and health from the molecular level through to people and populations.
You'll also have the opportunity to explore topics such as genetics, physiology, bioenergetics and sport and exercise nutrition, among others.
READ MORE

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
Professional accreditation and recognition
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
You're introduced to the underlying sciences of human nutrition. You study modules in nutrition, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology and physiology.
You will also be introduced to agri-food systems, covering issues arising through the food chain from production to consumption, as well as the nature and properties of different foods and nutrients.
Modules
Compulsory Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Microbiology and Immunology | 15 |
Fundamental Principles of Genetics and Biochemistry for Nutrition | 15 |
Human Physiology and Practical Skills | 30 |
Introduction to Nutrition | 10 |
Practical Skills for Nutrition | 10 |
Bioenergetics | 20 |
Optional Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Agri-Food Supply Chains | 20 |
Food Studies | 20 |
You continue to develop your core knowledge of human nutrition and associated topics. In Nutrition, you'll explore nutritional assessment and the importance of good nutrition at each life stage.
You'll also investigate food science and food product development, and study the latest research developments in sports and exercise nutrition.
In the module Communication and Behaviour Change, you are introduced to some of the ways in which communication may be used to support positive changes in people’s behaviour.
Modules
In the final year, you will study areas such as nutrition and its relation to health and disease, metabolic and personalised nutrition and the scientific basis for setting nutrient requirements in people.
You will develop your practical skills and your ability to plan and organise by carrying out a research project under the supervision of a member of academic staff.
Modules
Compulsory Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Research Project | 40 |
Contemporary Issues in Food and Human Nutrition | 20 |
Personalised Nutrition | 10 |
Nutritional Epidemiology and Public Health | 30 |
Optional Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Eating and Weight Disorders | 20 |
Making Sense of Forgotten Senses: Investigating Olfaction and Gustation | 20 |
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.
Teaching time is made up of:
- scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
- structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Contact hours are made up of a combination of:
- lectures
- seminars
- small group tutorials
- practical classes
You supplement this with weekly private study of recommended reading materials.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
-
Case studies
-
Dissertation or research project
-
Essays
-
Examinations – practical or online
-
Presentations
-
Projects
Skills and experience
Research skills
In the third year of your degree you'll complete a research project. The aim of the project is to provide you with experience of planning, researching and analysing a topic that interests you.
You will develop your research skills, as well as problem-solving, analysis and presentation skills.
Opportunities
Work placement
This human nutrition degree is also available with a year's work placement, as a four-year programme.
You'll apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place in Stage 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
Placements are subject to availability.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
Our Nutrition and Food courses are based in the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences at our city-centre campus. Our School is part of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, which is home to Dentistry, Medicine, Psychology and Pharmacy, encouraging inter-professional collaboration.
You'll have access to our food handling laboratory to help you enhance your practical skills and use of our well-equipped, state-of-the-art laboratories.
Situated next to Newcastle’s RVI hospital, we’re one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.
Support
You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.
Your future
There is great demand for scientists with a knowledge of nutrition. A wide range of opportunities exist across the sector, including:
- product development or quality assurance in the food industry
- with non-commercial bodies such as the Medical Research Council or Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- in research development
- in an advisory capacity with groups concerned with the communication of health messages and food safety advice
Graduates have gone on to take up roles, such as:
- dietetic assistant
- nutritionist
- food technologist
- food buyer
- product development technologist
- sports nutritionist
Make a difference
Careers support
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Entry requirements and offers
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2023 entry.
A-Level | |
---|---|
International Baccalaureate | |
---|---|
Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications
Contextual Offers
Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Entrance courses (INTO)
International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.
Find out more about International Pathway Courses
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)
Home Fee Students
£9250
International Fee Students
£25800
The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Read more about fees and funding
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.
Year abroad and additional costs
For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
Scholarships
Find out more about:
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year at our on-campus and virtual open days.
You'll be able to:
• explore our beautiful campus
• find out about our vibrant city
• discover what students think about studying at Newcastle
You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the subjects you're interested in.
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually.
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University. Visit our events calendar to find out when we're visiting your region.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:
- the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
- the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
- the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college
If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.
Apply through UCASApply through an agent
International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.
Get in touch
By phone
Call us on +44 (0) 191 208 3333 and press option 1. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am until 4pm.
Live chat
Our Ncl chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.
You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.
Online
Keep updated
We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.
Receive regular updates by email