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Clinical and Public Health Nutrition MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This full-time Clinical and Public Health Nutrition MSc focuses on the problems of over- and under-nutrition, which apply to most developed nations as well as those undergoing rapid transformation. We offer specialised training in the clinical and scientific basis of malnutrition and obesity and therapeutic approaches to correcting this in hospital, community, and educational settings.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£18,400
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a biological science, medical or healthcare discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


This MSc is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue a career in cutting-edge research, the practice of nutrition therapy, or in clinical and/or nutrition industries.

We focus on periods of the lifecycle when nutrition is particularly important, such as acute illness, trauma, surgery or malignancy, and chronic conditions in which disease, nutrition and treatment interact. We explore the aetiology, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of obesity alongside the approaches currently used in its treatment.

We examine the key issues related to nutrition in public health. Food insecurity is a major concern for both developed and developing regions around the world. We also examine the impact of healthy eating programmes and consider how organisations meet the nutritional needs of differing populations.

The UCL Division of Medicine has effective links with clinical services at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and the Royal Free Hospital. You will benefit from a rich and varied research environment and from the expertise of the clinicians and scientists who teach on this MSc.

Who this course is for

This course is ideal for medically qualified graduates, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, nutritionists, and bio-scientists with a keen interest in the disease / malnutrition axis and in effective nutritional therapies.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • A rich and varied research environment when you join the UCL Division of Medicine.
  • Close links with clinical services at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and the Royal Free Hospital, other major hospitals and public health organisations. These create opportunities for major nutrition projects.
  • Benefit from the expertise of the many clinicians and scientists who teach on this MSc. Many UCL staff engage in research with a nutritional dimension.
  • Opportunities to develop your research skills in clinical and public health settings through your project, with supervisors from across UCL, the London community, and elsewhere.
  • The UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences has one of the largest and most prestigious assembly of academics in its field with a global reputation for teaching informed by cutting-edge research.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This MSc is particularly suitable for candidates who wish to pursue a lifelong career in the field of cutting-edge translational research and the practice of nutrition therapy in the health services of the UK and other countries, or in the clinical nutrition industry.

According to the Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2018-2022 cohorts, around 93% of our Clinical and Public Health Nutrition graduates have progressed into work (76%) or further study (17%), with most reporting highly skilled roles in employment.

While this MSc does not lead to registration to practise as a dietitian, it provides a firm foundation in nutritional science and allows successful graduates to apply for direct registration with the Association for Nutrition. This is the professional body which holds the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN), a competency-based register of nutritionists.

UCL has given me the opportunity to work in hospitals. I get to see patients and shadow the doctors. If we're going to improve lifestyles and healthy eating across the world, we need to start with the next generation.

Shahana Thavarasa

Clinical and Public Health Nutrition, MSc

Learn more about Shahana

Employability

According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), Clinical and Public Health Nutrition graduates have a broad range of employers. These include:

  • NHS Trusts
  • UK and international universities
  • Governments and ministries
  • Nutritional start-ups and SMEs
  • Health organisations, such as Bupa, the Food Standards Agency, and UK Health Security Agency
  • Well-known brands including Danone, Holland and Barrett, L'Oreal, Nestle, and Procter & Gamble.

Many have become therapy and health professionals, while others have become GPs or specialist medical practitioners, biochemists, biological and biomedical scientists, business professionals, managers in retail and wholesale, and teachers in school and further / higher education institutions. 

We also provide an ideal foundation for graduates who wish to undertake further study. Some students use this MSc to improve their medical/clinical knowledge base, or to gain entry to Dietetics courses. Around one in eight of our graduates continue onto PhD studies, at UCL or elsewhere.

Networking

You will have numerous opportunities to work with students on related nutrition programmes and other postgraduate courses within the Division of Medicine. There are also regular weekly seminars with external speakers for staff and students which provide good opportunities to broaden your knowledge, have discussions, and engage in networking. You are also encouraged to participate in events organised by learned societies and attend conferences related to the programme.

Accreditation

This MSc is registered with the Association for Nutrition, a professional body that holds the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN), a competency-based register of nutritionists. Graduates of this programme will be eligible to apply for direct entry to the UKVRN as Registered Associate Nutritionists. As part of this accreditation, students must pass all core-competency modules. If a student fails a module, they will be able to graduate (in compliance with UCL policy) with an alternative MSc degree title, however this will not be accredited.

Teaching and learning

Teaching throughout the course uses a range of methods, including lectures, online video materials, tutorials to address problem-based activities, practical sessions in a laboratory setting, and data analysis sessions.

Assessment is through examination, presentations, essays, practical reports, and a dissertation.

You should expect to spend around 30 hours per week on programme activities. This includes attending lectures, tutorials or workshops, and independent study.

Teaching is around 15 hours per week. Students attend campus for two days each week during term time (currently Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am-5pm). You may need to attend on other days for activities such as practical sessions, assessments, or working on group tasks.

We expect students to dedicate at least the same number of hours to independent study. This might include work on assignments and targeted reading.

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) comprising all taught modules is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate comprising four core modules (60 credits) is offered.

Modules

On this full-time programme, you will complete eight core modules worth 120 credits and a research project worth 60 credits. During your research project, you will be supported by a supervisor with relevant experience and expertise in nutrition research.

Some projects are subject to ethical approval and DBS clearance, which should be discussed with your supervisor. You can explore research areas that interest you and contact relevant departments to see if they can offer an MSc project.

Compulsory modules











Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition.

Placement

Students are offered the opportunity to observe related clinics at University College London Hospital (government & NHS restrictions allowing). As this involves working with the public you will be subject to screening by UCL Occupational Health and through the Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to determine your suitability for the course.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Where you'll study

Division of Medicine Cruciform building

We have one of the largest concentrations of biomedical scientists in Europe. Among over 100 principal investigators are Fellows of the Royal Society, members of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and Senior Investigators of the National Institute for Health Research. Teaching is split between the Royal Free campus in Hampstead and Bloomsbury campus. For undergraduates, most of the first year will be based at the Royal Free campus, with some practical activities taking place in Bloomsbury. As you progress, more modules are based at Bloomsbury, which means you are likely to build strong familiarity with both of these sites.

Learn more about the Division of Medicine, our departments and institutes

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All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Genetics and Multiomics in Medicine MSc

Join us for the Genetics and Multiomics in Medicine MSc Virtual Graduate Open Day at UCL! This event is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our cutting-edge programme and meet our faculty. Discover how our curriculum can help you advance your career in the field of genetics and multiomics. The event includes a programme overview, followed by a Q&A with the programme lead and alumni.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £18,400
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Some small travel costs may be incurred for travel to site visits within London. There are two to three visits each year. Find out about the cost of using public transport at Transport for London.

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Clearance check. The DBS application cost will be covered by UCL, but offer holders will also need to have their ID checked and verified at a Post Office, for which they will incur a charge of £15. International students will bear any costs incurred in acquiring certification equivalent to DBS (police check) in their home country.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Deadline: 12 December 2024
Value: Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Div. of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Programme Bursary

Deadline: 22 August 2025
Value: £5000 towards tuition fee (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Div. of Medicine Lead Departmental Student Representative Bursary

Deadline: 22 August 2025
Value: £5000 towards tuition fee (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Div. of Medicine Nutrition Programmes Bursary

Deadline: 22 August 2025
Value: £5000 towards tuition fee (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Clinical and Public Health Nutrition at graduate level
  • why you want to study Clinical and Public Health Nutrition at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • how this MSc will help you develop professionally.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Basic Science

Some of the modules on this programme involve biochemistry. If you studied a science subject that is not biological or chemical (e.g. nursing or psychology), we advise taking a short course in nutrition and/or reading at least one of the following.

  • Salway JG, Metabolism at a Glance, 4th edition, Wiley Blackwell, 2017.
  • Salway JG, Medical Biochemistry at a Glance, 3rd edition, Wiley Blackwell, 2012.
  • Bender D, Introduction to Nutrition and Metabolism, 5th Edition, CRC Press, 2014.
  • Geissler C & Powers H, Human Nutrition, Oxford, 2017.

More about Basic Science.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Medicine
Division of Medicine

divmed.postgrad@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.