Nutrition and Exercise Science MSci

Suspended course

This course has been suspended for 2023 entry. This means we're unable to accept applications. The course will be reinstated for 2024 entry.

Depending on your background, you can apply for other courses related to your subject of interest, such as:

• Sport and Exercise Science BSc Honours (C600)
• Human Nutrition BSc Honours (B46D)

Course overview

This four-year degree will develop your in-depth understanding of Nutrition and Exercise Science. You'll build a firm foundation of knowledge in key disciplines of exercise physiology, nutrition, health psychology, biomechanics and public health. Our graduates are ready to take on a challenging role in an industry with high demand for graduates.

You'll be taught by our expert staff, along with industry partners and applied practitioners. You can be assured your education is right at the cutting edge of Exercise and Nutrition with teaching influenced by our world leading research.

Our cutting-edge labs provide fourth year Masters level students in-depth knowledge of research methods in the study of nutrition and exercise science. This includes research design, acquiring, interpreting and analysing information, and issues concerning research ethics.

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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.

Your first year provides you with foundation knowledge and skills in the key discipline areas of nutrition and exercise science.

You’ll study a range of topics spanning human physiology, anatomy, health, and bioenergetics and build on these through the consideration of the structure and properties of nutrients.

You will gain an understanding of food commodities and food systems and begin to explore sustainability and food security.

Modules

You take the following compulsory modules:

Food Studies (20 credits)        

Human Physiology and Practical Skills (30 credits)        

Introduction to Nutrition (10 credits)                          

Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health (20 credits)         

Bioenergetics (20 credits)                         

Anatomy (20 credits)        

You will develop your knowledge of exercise physiology and nutrition, macro- and micro-nutrients, and the evidence base for recommended nutrient intakes through the lifecycle.

You will also develop skills in measurement and assessment of dietary intake, and nutritional and physiological status. You will gain a deeper understanding of health psychology, and the approaches to changing nutrition and exercise behaviours.

Modules

You take the following compulsory modules:

Health Psychology and Behaviour Change (10 credits)                       

Macro- and Micronutrients (20 credits)                                                

Nutrition through the Lifecycle (10 credits)                                        

Measurement and Assessment of Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status (20 credits)                                

Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition (20 credits)                                               

Exercise Physiology (20 credits)                                                                

New Food Product Development (20 credits)       

In year 3, you will study modules in physical activity and disease. 

You will gain a detailed understanding of nutritional epidemiology and how it informs public health strategy and practice. You'll develop your research skills through undertaking a systematic literature review.

You will advance your employability skills, particularly in the core physical and laboratory assessment techniques required by an nutrition and exercise scientist.

Modules

You take the following compulsory modules:

Dissertation  (30 credits)

Nutritional Epidemiology and Public Health (30 credits)

Laboratory Techniques in Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (20 credits)

Physical Activity, Exercise and Disease (20 credits)

Employability Skills for the Nutrition and Exercise Scientist (20 credits)

Year 4 will develop your higher-level cognitive and analytical skills. This will be achieved by completing a master’s research project, contributing to the evidence base in nutrition and exercise science, under the supervision of our expert research staff.

You will develop your depth of knowledge and skills in exercise physiology and nutrition and apply this through supporting a client in changing nutrition and exercise behaviour.

Modules

You take the following compulsory modules:

Masters Research Project (60 credits)

Exercise Physiology Assessment Skills (20 credits)

Exercise Metabolism and Sports Nutrition (20 credits)

Applying Nutrition and Exercise Science (20 credits)

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based 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

You'll learn through a combination of lectures, practical laboratory classes and small group seminars.

You also have the chance to attend optional research talks, aimed especially at first-year students, as part of our biomedicine+ programme.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Reports

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Practical skills

With access to our state-of-the-art sports and nutrition facilities for research and teaching, you'll have access to cutting-edge equipment during your time at Newcastle University.

Using our industry-standard facilities and equipment will prepare you for your future career.

Research skills

You will complete a fourth year research project in an area that interests you, working with our world leading researchers.

You'll gain practical experience in skills that are sought-after by employers. These include planning, conducting and evaluating research.

You may also have the opportunity to work alongside scientists from affiliated research institutes. You will develop advanced scientific skills and get insight into a career as a researcher.

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, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.

A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be based at our Newcastle city-centre campus, in the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Sciences. The School is in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, which is also home to Dentistry, Medicine, Psychology and Pharmacy, encouraging inter-professional collaboration.

We've invested £32 million in brand-new facilities for sport and exercise science research and teaching. The facilities include:

• an environmental chamber to enable the simulation of altitude, temperature and humidity
• gait track
• biomechanics laboratory
• physiology laboratory
• high-performance suite
• nutrition kitchen
• blood preparation and analysis lab

Support

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.

Your future

There is great demand for scientists with a knowledge of exercise and nutrition.

A wide range of opportunities exist across the sector, including:

• product development or quality assurance in the food industry
• professional sports clubs or UK Institutes of Sport
• Health Services
• 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 advice

Graduates may take up roles, such as:

• work in hospitals and public health laboratories
• dietetic assistant
• food buyer
• sports nutritionist
• take a further degree (MSc or PhD qualification) before embarking on permanent employment

Make a difference

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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