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Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This programme, provided by the internationally renowned UCL Division of Medicine, is intended for all professionals wishing to work in the eating disorders field at a high level. The qualifications (MSc, Diploma, Certificate) will appeal to clinicians and scientists who wish to provide treatment, develop services and conduct research in this field.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2022/23)
£14,700
£7,350
Overseas tuition fees (2022/23)
£29,400
£14,700
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2022
Applications accepted
All applicants: 18 Oct 2021 – 31 Mar 2022

Applications closed

Notification

Application closes at 17:00 GMT.

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.

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Standard

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. International Preparation Courses

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 provides a sound programme in human nutrition covering practical approaches, research methods and nutrition in the general population and in disease states. Eating disorders are presented using different teaching methods with an extensive series of seminars, tutorials and clinical observation sessions at eating disorders treatment centres. Students will also undertake a significant research project.

Find out more about the content of this degree: MSc Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition

Who this course is for

This programme is designed for graduates with an aim to provide treatment, develop services and conduct research in the eating disorders field.

This programme is also suitable for health professionals in psychology, psychiatry, medicine and nutrition who have a clinical or academic interest in eating disorders.

All applicants must have 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.

As this programme includes observational placements at University College London Hospital, we will only consider applications from individuals who can demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The field of eating disorders is rapidly developing in terms of service provision and research. This MSc is the only comprehensive graduate programme available in the field, meeting an important clinical and academic need.

Whether you are a psychiatrist, psychologist, dietitian, nurse or researcher interested in eating disorders affecting adults or children and adolescents, this degree will provide fundamental nutrition education, and an extensive programme on eating disorders delivered in seminars, tutorials, clinical attachments and a major research project.

The programme fulfils criteria for membership of the Association for Nutrition.

Find out more about this degree: MSc Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This degree will give graduates a clear advantage when applying for clinical and research positions in units in which children, adolescents or adults with eating disorders are assessed, treated and recruited into research programmes. It is particularly relevant for individuals wishing to apply for senior positions in these units, as well as graduates who aspire to studying for a doctorate in the eating disorders field. Surveys have shown that eating disorder services are continuing to develop in all parts of the country, providing substantial opportunities for employment in this burgeoning field.

Students should note that although our degree is very clinically focused, it is not clinical training, and therefore successful graduation does not qualify you to work independently with patients with eating disorders. 

Employability

For career guidance from this degree please view the Departmental website via the link above.

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.

Teaching and learning

Teaching is conducted across the duration of the course via 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 the dissertation.

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) is offered.

Modules

The MSc programme is conducted over one year if you are full-time. You are required to undertake eight taught course modules over the autumn and winter term, followed by a research dissertation that is conducted through the summer.

There is an option to undertake the course part time over two years.

Teaching is conducted on two days per week if you are full-time, with the remaining time devoted to coursework, group activities and self-directed learning. The course has a core theme of understanding the body's processes and metabolism in order to gain insight into the complications that result from under, over and varying forms of mal-nutrition. As such, the initial module provides an overview of nutrition and metabolic science to support understanding in subsequent areas of the course. You will also participate in modules where you will undertake practical sessions to collect, evaluate and interpret data on the make-up and energy utilisation of the human body. There are also sessions on the conduct of research and good ethical practice.

If you elect to study part time, you would attend one day of teaching per week in the first year and the second day in the second year. The research project is then undertaken at the end of the second year.

Topic specific modules exam both under and over nutrition in both the hospital and community environments, with specialist lecturers explaining how treatments are designed and administered in the clinic, and the effectiveness of public health activities. Visits to clinics and the hospital allow students to see first-hand how treatment is conducted, in addition to community nutrition providers working with groups that have very different requirements.

There are a wide variety of projects available for the project dissertation. These range from laboratory based, technical research topics through to community based qualitative studies or the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial. 

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 is subject to change.

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

Placement

Visits to clinics and the hospital allow students to see first-hand how treatment is conducted, in addition to community nutrition providers working with groups that have very different requirements.

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.

Following the requirements of the NHS trust, we will only consider applications from individuals who can demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

UCL Masters in Nutrition programmes Virtual Event

UCL Division of Medicine hosts a virtual event where they give a short presentation about the programmes, including details on different modules, and how this programme could support your career. The programmes include: MSc Obesity and Clinical Nutrition, MSc Clinical Nutrition and MSc Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event in the Division of Medicine

Watch a replay of our previous virtual open event for the following programmes in the Division of Medicine: MSc Clinical and Public Health Nutrition, MSc Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition, MSc Obesity and Clinical Nutrition. Find out more about the programmes, why you should come to UCL, and the ground-breaking research in this department.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2022/23) £14,700 £7,350
Tuition fees (2022/23) £29,400 £14,700

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 more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

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.

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

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 and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition at graduate level
  • why you want to study Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

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.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Medicine
Division of Medicine

divmed.postgrad@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.