Nutrition & Human Health

Nutrition is recognised as a cornerstone in the maintenance of health, wellbeing, and longevity with the power to reduce the economic and social burden on health systems. The BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Human Health degree program will take you on an exciting journey to become a competent nutritionist.

While studying for the degree, you will examine various aspects of the science of nutrition including biochemistry, metabolism, food systems, food composition, dietary analysis, molecular aspects of food nutrients, social/behavioural aspects, health and wellbeing, and professional conduct, leading to a full understanding of the dietary role in disease prevention and health management. Through this journey, you will be trained to identify signs and risks of under-, and overnutrition whether and how to assess the energy and nutritional status overall. Other interesting and contemporary areas are nutrition across lifespan, integrative and adaptive metabolic aspects, nutritional research methodologies, functional ingredients and bioactives, probiotics, prebiotics, gut microbiota, food intolerances, functional bowel disorders, and nutrition in mental health. The relevance of these areas of knowledge to human health is the focal point of this degree.

In addition to supplementing theoretical knowledge with practical skills through laboratory and physiological study sessions, there is the opportunity for you to partake in research projects in the latest topics in nutrition and human health either in vitro or with human participants.

This combination of subjects gives you the breadth and depth of knowledge to undertake physiological and anthropometric assessments, carry out laboratory analysis of nutrients and offer evidence-based professional advice on diet and lifestyle. As a graduate of this degree, you will be equipped with knowledge for the workplace and follow a career as a nutritionist, researcher, or educator. The broad and robust scientific skills, communication skills, and creative thinking developed on the programme will make you particularly attractive to companies and organisations searching for scientists capable of dealing with data in epidemiological fields.

On completion of this degree graduates will be able to apply to the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists to become a Registered Associate Nutritionist directly; this will allow them to carry the post-nominal letters "ANutr" alongside their BSc award. Opportunities exist in a wide range of careers in nutrition and health in both the private and public sectors: Nutritionist, Dietetic assistant, Health Improvement Scientists, Nutrition Research , Nutritional evaluation in the food industry, Public Health Charites , Local Education Authorities , Higher level study such as a PGCE (e.g. science teacher training), Master’s degree or PhD.
Recent examples include graduates who now work for the NHS, Nestlé, Yakult, and national and local nutrition and health services.