Course overview
This four-year 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 professional work placement. This is an opportunity to apply your knowledge in a food and nutrition work environment and gain vital professional experience to help you stand out from other graduates.Â
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.
Through studying one of our Nutrition and Dietetics courses you’ll look at nutrition from the cellular and 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.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions Â
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 2024-25.
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
- 7th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2025 (Food Science category)
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 20th in the UK – Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 (Food Science category)
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
- Association for Nutrition (AfN)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.Â
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
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Fundamental Principles of Genetics and Biochemistry for Nutrition | 15 |
| Human Physiology and Practical Skills | 30 |
| Practical and Career Development Skills for Nutrition | 10 |
| Introduction to Food and Nutrition | 15 |
| Sustainable & Secure Food Systems | 15 |
| Microbiology and Immunology for Food and Health | 15 |
| Bioenergetics | 20 |
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Health Psychology and Behaviour Change | 10 |
| New Food Product Development | 20 |
| Macro- and Micronutrients | 20 |
| Food Science and Technology | 20 |
| Nutrition Through the Lifecycle | 10 |
| Measurement and Assessment of Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status | 20 |
| Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition | 20 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Nutrition Enterprise and Career Skills | 20 |
| Allergens and the Food Industry | 20 |
| Making Sense of Forgotten Senses: Investigating Olfaction and Gustation | 20 |
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Contact hours are made up of a combination of:
- lectures
- seminars
- small group tutorials
- practical classes
- online sessions
You supplement this with weekly private study of recommended reading materials.
Skills and experience
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.
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
Situated next to Newcastle’s RVI hospital, we’re one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.
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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
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
Check the government’s website for more information.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.Â
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| ABB including at least one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths plus a second science-related subject which can include Food Technology, Mathematics, Home Economics, Geography, Psychology, PE, Human Biology, Environmental Science, Geology, Computing or IT. We will also accept a BTEC in Applied Human Biology to be within the first group to substitute for the Biology. GCSE Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry or Dual Award Science, required at GCSE (minimum grade B or 6) if not offered at A/AS Level. | |
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| 32 points including Biology or Chemistry at Higher Level Grade 5 or above plus at least one other STEM subject. Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry required at Standard Level grade 5 if not offered at Higher Level. | |
