MSc Public Health Nutrition

Learn how to deliver health and nutrition information through successful marketing and promotion techniques as you develop the competencies to register as an associate public health nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition.

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    • International Students Can Apply

    Overview

    Course Length: 1 Year Full-Time, 2 Years Part-Time
    Start Dates: September 2020, September 2021
    Subjects: Health and Social Care
    Nutrition and Health
    Location: Edge Hill University
    • Gain the knowledge and skills to work as a highly effective public health nutritionist at a local, national and international level;
    • Develop the competencies to register as an associate public health nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition;
    • Learn to deliver health and nutrition information to the public and other health professionals through successful marketing and promotion techniques.

    This MSc in Public Health Nutrition will provide you with the specialist scientific knowledge and practical skills required to meet the nutritional challenges of the 21st century. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the role diet and nutrients play in the aetiology, prevention, treatment and management of diseases, discovering how to apply this knowledge in a variety of health-based settings and make evidence-based judgements on appropriate nutritional care. You will also develop a clear understanding of the factors that influence food choice. The context for the programme is provided by societal issues such as a rapidly ageing population, food poverty and food insecurity, health inequalities in nutritional wellbeing and the high prevalence of obesity.

    Student and Alumni Profiles

    • Katherine Jones

      MSc Public Health Nutrition
      When I started this masters degree I really didn’t expect it to change my life in the way that it has. How I look at the world has really altered. I’m more critical and questioning but also more confident in my own abilities.
       View full profile

    • Sarah Norburn

      MSc Public Health Nutrition
      The skills I developed meant that I could go into public health campaigning, weight management, diabetes prevention, even health and lifestyle journalism. There are so many avenues available to you.
       View full profile

    • Paige Costello

      MSc Public Health Nutrition
      It’s been great to be around different health professionals and the guest lecturers have been fantastic.
       View full profile

    In Depth

    What will I study?

    You will learn about the metabolism of nutrients with regards to their effect on the causation and prevention of disease, while exploring the psychological models of behaviour and behaviour change in relation to food choice. Global health challenges, such as maternal and child nutrition, sustainable food production and food poverty, will also be considered.

    Alongside this you will study emerging topics in the field of nutrition that have an impact on health status. This will include issues such as nutrigenomics and the impact of sugar intake on health.

    The knowledge and skills you develop throughout the course will be utilised in a project-based module that will provide you with the opportunity to complete a research project relevant to your own interests or area of employment. This will be underpinned by a dedicated module enhancing your knowledge of research methods and the research process.

    How will I study?

    The programme incorporates a variety of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, workshops, student-led seminars, practical activities and case studies. This varied approach is designed to meet a range of learning needs, encourage problem-solving skills and foster peer discussion and communication. Teaching will usually be delivered during the daytime.

    How will I be assessed?

    Assessment methods are varied and include a combination of essays, case studies and presentations.

    Who will be teaching me?

    You will be taught by specialists in the fields of nutrition, health, physiology, biochemistry and psychology. The programme team are actively engaged in nutrition-related research and consultancy and will use this expertise to support and enhance your learning experience.

    A Great Study Environment

    Three students make notes and discuss with each other during a seminar.The Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine is one of the leading providers of education and training for health and social care professionals in the North West of England.

    Offering some of the best facilities for health, social care and medicine students in the country, the outstanding teaching and learning resources include leading edge clinical skills facilities, an 860-seat lecture theatre, and a variety of teaching rooms and social learning spaces.

    The faculty is home to a thriving research culture which includes a series of staff and student conference programmes, guest lectures and seminars, as well as active research groups.

    Modules

    Expand All

    HEA4444Research Methods (20 credits)

    Research Methods introduces you to the research process including the philosophical fundamentals of both quantitative and qualitative traditions and a range of research methodologies. The module will enable you to demonstrate the ability to critically appraise a range of research methodologies and plan a small-scale empirical project in your chosen discipline, as well as gaining awareness of the theoretical and practical implications of undertaking such a study.


    Assessment: Coursework: 100%.

    HUG4001Nutrition Metabolism and Disease (30 credits)

    Nutrition Metabolism and Disease will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of nutrition and its application in the prevention and management of dietary related diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dementia and cancer. You will develop knowledge, understanding and application of the principles of human metabolism that underpin the maintenance of homeostasis in the human system by examining the biochemical and physiological systems relevant to metabolism, with an emphasis placed on understanding the regulation of whole body metabolism.


    Assessment: Coursework: 100%.

    HUG4003Health Behaviours and Nutrition (30 credits)

    Health Behaviours and Nutrition focuses on the psychological models of behaviour and behaviour change in relation to nutrition and health. Factors related to psychological well-being and stress and the relationship to nutritional status will be critically analysed. Emphasis will be on the promotion of positive nutritional health behaviours, as well as the prevention of maladaptive nutritional health behaviours such as obesity and eating disorders.


    Assessment: Coursework: 70%, Practical(s): 30%.

    HUG4008Public Health Nutrition with an International Perspective (20 credits)

    Public Health Nutrition with an International Perspective encourages you to take an interdisciplinary and intercultural approach to nutrition and the health challenges that exist in the globalised world. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence health from a local, national and international level.


    Assessment: Coursework: 50%, Practical(s): 50%.

    HUG4009Contemporary Issues in Human Nutrition (20 credits)

    Contemporary Issues in Human Nutrition addresses current themes in the external arena pertinent to the study of nutrition and will, therefore, consider topics that have a significant impact on, and relevance to, modern day food and nutrition. The module will also provide you with a comprehensive understanding of material on re-emerging topics in nutrition, such as healthy ageing and personalised nutrition.


    Assessment: Coursework: 50%, Practical(s): 50%.

    HUG4007Dissertation (60 credits)

    Dissertation enables you to focus upon a significant piece of investigative enquiry in an area of interest, from conceptualisation through to completion. The module will develop your skills as an independent learner who is able to manage a project over an extended period of time. Critically evaluating existing research and theoretical perspectives to identify a gap in research knowledge, you will be expected to justify the choice of methodology and underpinning theory, analyse the impact of the research project and appraise the ethical considerations encountered during your research.


    Assessment: Coursework: 100%.

    Timetables

    You can expect to receive your timetable at enrolment. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day or evening of the week.

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

    Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

    Entry Criteria

    Entry Requirements

    To join this MSc you should have a degree equivalent to UK first class or upper second class honours (2:1 or above) in a relevant subject such as nutrition, dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, sport science, health, food science or biology. An interview forms part of the selection process.

    English Language Requirements

    International students require IELTS 7.0, with a score no lower than 6.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.

    If your current level of English is half a band lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.

    Recognition of Prior Learning

    Edge Hill University recognises learning gained elsewhere, whether through academic credit and qualifications acquired from other relevant courses of study or through recognition of an individual’s professional and employment experience (also referred to as ‘experiential learning’).

    Previous learning that is recognised in this way may be used towards meeting the entry requirements for a programme and/or for exemption from part of a programme. It is your responsibility to make a claim for recognition of prior learning. For guidance, please consult the University’s academic regulations (sections C7 and F3.1) or contact the faculty in which you are interested in studying.

    Career Prospects

    What are my career prospects?

    You will be able to register with the Association for Nutrition as an Associate Nutritionist upon completion of the course via the submission of a portfolio of evidence.

    This programme provides ideal preparation to progress into nutrition-related roles in many organisations within the public and private sector. These include local authorities, charitable organisations, the NHS, health promotion organisations, the leisure industry and the private sector. Alternatively, you may wish to progress onto PhD study to further develop a specialist knowledge of nutrition.

    Finance

    Tuition Fees

    Tuition fees for full-time study on this MSc are £6,120 for UK and EU students and £13,250 for international students enrolling on the programme in academic year 2020/21.

    Tuition fees for part-time study on this MSc are £34 per credit for UK and EU students enrolling on the programme in academic year 2020/21, i.e. £680 per 20 credit module.

    180 credits are required to complete a Masters degree.

    The University may administer a small inflationary rise in part-time postgraduate tuition fees in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

    Financial Support

    For comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK and EU students joining postgraduate courses at Edge Hill University, together with details of how to apply for potential funding, please view our Money Matters 2020/21 guide at www.edgehill.ac.uk/postgradfinance2020.

    Financial support information for international students can be found at www.edgehill.ac.uk/international/fees.

    Apply

    How to Apply

    There is an online application process for this programme.

    Please choose the application form for your preferred intake date and mode of study.

    Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/applydirect for more information about the application process.

    Further information for international students about how to apply is available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/applyinternational.

    Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

    Visit Us

    If you are considering applying to study at Edge Hill University, the best way to gain an insight into student life is to discover our stunning campus for yourself by attending an open day. You can view dates and book your place at www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays.

    Alternatively, if you are unable to attend an open day, you can find out more about all of our events for prospective students, including monthly campus tours, at www.edgehill.ac.uk/visitus.

    Request a Prospectus

    If you would like to explore our full range of taught Masters degrees, MBA awards and our Masters by Research (MRes) degree before you apply, you can order a postgraduate prospectus at www.edgehill.ac.uk/postgradprospectus.

    Get in Touch

    If you have any questions about this programme or what it’s like to study at Edge Hill University, please contact:

    If you would like to talk to the programme leader about the course in more detail, please contact:

    International students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international or email international@edgehill.ac.uk with any queries about overseas study.

    Course Changes

    Expand All This page outlines any material changes to course content, programme structure, assessment methods, entry criteria, and modes of study or delivery, implemented in the past two years.

    11th January 2019 - Change of Modules

    HEA4444 Research Methods (20 credits) replaces HUG4004 Research Methods (20 credits) as a compulsory module.