Food and Human Nutrition with Placement
BSc Honours
- UCAS code: B4D6
- Full time
- 4 years
- Next start date: September 2020
Our accredited food and human nutrition degree explores the links between diet and health and will equip you with practical skills and experience, so you're ready to make an impact through a career in nutrition.
Fees (per year)
- UK/EU: £9250
- International: £22800
Entry requirements
- A Level: AAB
- IB: 34 points
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
This four-year food and human nutrition degree focuses on developing your practical, professional and research skills so you graduate career-ready.
Between your second and final year, you'll carry out a work placement. This is an opportunity to apply your knowledge in a work environment and gain vital professional experience to help you stand out from other graduates.
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 is informed by research, this ensures you're learning the most up-to-date and relevant theories along with the latest discoveries in the industry. Our food and 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.

Quality and ranking
- 8th in the UK – the Guardian University Guide 2020 (Agriculture, Forestry and Food category)
- 9th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2020 (Food Science category)
- 90% for overall student satisfaction – National Student Survey 2019 (Subject: Nutrition)
Teaching excellence
TEF GoldA ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.

Professional accreditation

This degree is professionally accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN).
This means our graduates can apply for direct entry into the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists at associate level and use the letters ANutr after their name without undergoing further assessment.
See the Association for Nutrition's website for further benefits of studying on an accredited course.
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, and course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, student feedback, or numbers of students interested in an optional module.
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 food and 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
Optional Modules | Credits |
---|
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
You spend this year on a work placement in the UK or abroad.
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 |
---|---|
Nutrition in Health and Disease | 20 |
Research Project | 40 |
Advanced Nutrient Metabolism and Requirements | 20 |
Selected Topics in Food and Human Nutrition | 20 |
Optional Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Developing Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Employability | 20 |
Applied Entrepreneurship | 20 |
Eating and Weight Disorders | 20 |
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
Practical skills
You'll have the opportunity to attend a national conference on food and human nutrition, where you'll hear from world-leading experts in the field. This also gives you the chance to network with other people working across the nutrition industry.
Research skills
In the final 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 improving your problem-solving, analytical and presentation skills.
Chat to a student
All the teaching staff are really helpful and are happy to discuss any issues you may have and support you as much as possible.
Opportunities
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.
If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.
Find out more about study abroad
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can 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 between stages 2 and 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Work placement is not available if you're spending a year abroad. Placements are subject to availability.
Find out more about work placements
Additional qualification
You also have the opportunity during your placement to gain a Licentiateship of the City and Guilds Institute, London (equivalent to NVQ Level 4), award. You'll collate evidence of your work experience and skills development as a portfolio.
We are currently the only nutrition course in the UK to offer this opportunity to gain an additional qualification in recognition of your development of personal, and transferable skills in the workplace.
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+ inititiative.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2020 entry.
A Level
AAB
International Baccalaureate
34 points
Other UK qualifications (and PARTNERS)
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
PARTNERS
Through our PARTNERS programme, you could receive an offer up to three grades lower than the typical requirements, and get support throughout the application process. To apply through PARTNERS, you must be based in the UK and meet our eligibility criteria.
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, including Newcastle University London. 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.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for 2020 entry (per year)
UK Students
£9250
International Students
£22800
The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UK 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.
You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme).
The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.
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
There's no better way to get a feel for Newcastle University than to come and visit our beautiful campus, located in one of the UK's most exciting student cities. The dates are now confirmed for our Undergraduate 2020 Open Days:
• Friday 26 June
• Saturday 27 June
• Saturday 19 September
Each open day is from 9am to 4pm.
Sign up for alerts, and we'll let you know when you can book to attend next Open Day.
You can also meet us at exhibitions across the UK.
Or you can join us for an event at our London Campus.
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.
We don't have any virtual events scheduled at the moment. Keep checking our events calendar for more information.
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
Contact us on +44 (0) 191 208 3333. We're open 9.00 to 17.00 every week day except Wednesday (10.00 to 17.00).