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Obesity and Clinical Nutrition MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Obesity is a complex illness which requires an understanding of multiple treatment modalities. We are committed to reduce the stigma around obesity. In this unique and world-leading MSc, you explore the latest evidence on treating obesity, combining state-of-the-art research, new technologies, and real-life treatment of this disease through clinical visits.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£18,400
£9,200
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
£18,250
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
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

The MSc Obesity and Clinical Nutrition is designed for a range of health professionals in the UK and abroad. Learn from experienced academics in cardiometabolic disease and obesity as well as professionals with clinical work experience.

We offer specialised training in the clinical and scientific basis of overnutrition and obesity, and in the public health measures and therapeutic approaches aimed at preventing and treating obesity. You will gain a thorough grounding in the theory and application of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of obesity and its complications. You will also develop a good understanding of the causes of obesity and current best practice for treating obesity as observed in clinical practice.

Our curriculum is focused on evidence-based clinical practice and the latest understanding of dietary treatments to support weight loss. We focus on ethical best practice from the requirements for conducting research to the approach followed by major stakeholders involved in obesity prevention and treatment.

This MSc does not lead to registration to practise as a dietitian. However, it offers a firm foundation to apply for registration with the Association for Nutrition, the professional body that holds the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists.

Who this course is for

This programme is ideally suited to health professionals and others wishing to pursue careers in cutting-edge translational research in the field of obesity and in clinical weight management.

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.

  • Unique focus on evidence-base practice that trains you in state-of-the-art research. The curriculum is focused on teachings from clinical practice and the latest understanding of dietary treatments.
  • Teaching from experienced academics in the areas of cardiometabolic disease and obesity and professions with clinical work experience.
  • Close links between UCL, the UCLH Bariatric Centre for Weight Management and Metabolic Surgery, and our UCL NHS partners, major London hospitals and public health organisations. These create opportunities for research projects focused on obesity and chronic diseases.
  • Opportunities to engage with medical research at one of the top ten universities in the world and its partner hospitals in areas widely accepted as world leading. UCL has a long and prestigious history in obesity and nutrition research and currently coordinates a variety of major studies in both the UK and the rest of the world.
  • UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences has one of the largest and most prestigious collections 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 programme is popular among a range of health professionals in the UK and abroad who seek specialty training in the areas of obesity management and prevention. It provides a firm foundation to apply for registration with the Association for Nutrition, a professional body that holds the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN).

Employability

You will develop a range of intellectual, academic, practical and research skills by interpreting and evaluating academic literature. Through your research project, you will build specialist knowledge of research on obesity and its complications and health risks through your research project.

Graduates will be able to work as nutritionists in the health services of the UK and elsewhere, in the clinical nutrition or pharmaceutical industries. This programme also provides an ideal foundation for those who wish to continue onto PhD studies, at UCL or elsewhere.

According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), all the Obesity and Clinical Nutrition MSc graduates who responded were either in highly skilled work (50%) or further postgraduate study (50%).

Networking

There are regular networking opportunities, including events where you can hear from expert speakers. We encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending and participating at conferences.

Teaching and learning

Teaching is conducted 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. Students will have the opportunity to attend clinical activities and engage with health practitioners.

You will be assessed by a variety of methods, including coursework, reports, literature reviews, unseen examinations including Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and/or Short Answer Questions (SAQs), individual and group presentations, posters, creating a video, open book exam, and a dissertation following a research project. Coursework will be conducted both individually and as part of a team. Assessments will be formative or summative.

Each taught module will typically include at least two different types of assessments. Feedback will be given for all coursework.

The research project is formed of a 10,000-15,000 word dissertation.

On average, full-time students have around 12-16 contact hours per week during teaching weeks. This is made up of lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will also be expected to spend around the same amount of time on independent study, such as reading and accessing resources as well as individual assessments and group projects.

On-site teaching takes place on two days per week during term time, though it may be necessary to be on campus on other days for other activities (e.g. working with other students on group tasks).

Modules

The MSc course is conducted over one year (12 calendar months). You take eight taught modules (120 credits) over the autumn (Term 1) and winter / spring (Term 2) terms, followed by a research dissertation (60 credits) across the spring and summer. During your research project, you will be supported by a supervisor with relevant experience and expertise in research in the field of obesity and/or metabolic disease.

Teaching will be conducted primarily on two days per week, with the remaining time devoted to coursework, group activities and self-directed learning.

In the part-time option, the MSc course is conducted over two years (24 calendar months). You take four taught course modules (60 credits) over the autumn (Term 1) and winter / spring (Term 2) in Year 1 and four in Year 2, followed by a research dissertation (60 credits) across the spring and summer of Year 2. During your research project, you will be supported by a supervisor with relevant experience and expertise in obesity research.

Teaching will be conducted primarily on one day per week each year (not the same day), with the remaining time devoted to coursework, group activities and self-directed learning.

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 (with at least 150 at level 7 and no more than 30 at level 6). Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Obesity and Clinical Nutrition.

Placement

Students are offered the opportunity to observe obesity-related clinics at University College London Hospital. 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.

Visit us

All open days and events

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Join us for the Clinical Drug Development MSc Virtual Graduate Open Day at UCL! Studying this programme enhance your employability in roles such as biochemists, biomedical scientists, GPs, pharmacists, specialist medical practitioners and in operations roles including health and safety managers and laboratory technicians. The event includes a programme overview, followed by a Q&A with the programme lead and current students.

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Graduate Open Events: Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

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Join us for an informative online session where you'll get an in-depth overview of our MSc Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery programme. Following the overview, you'll have the chance to engage in a Q&A session with our programme lead and a current student, giving you the perfect opportunity to ask questions and gain firsthand perspectives.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £18,400 £9,200
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 £18,250

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.

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

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, which will incur a charge. International students will bear any costs incurred in acquiring certification equivalent to DBS (police check) in their home country.

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.

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 Obesity and Clinical Nutrition at graduate level
  • why you want to study Obesity and Clinical Nutrition at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your 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 (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.