This course is all about exploring how food impacts health and wellbeing, while giving you the skills to make a difference in the real world. It’s a great fit if you’re interested in nutrition science, public health, or even product development, and want plenty of chances to apply your knowledge outside the classroom.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
You’ll start with the essentials: human physiology, nutrition science, and food safety. This year builds your scientific foundation and gives you hands-on practice in specialist labs, so you understand how nutrients and health link together.
Year 2
Here you’ll see how nutrition works in practice. Modules like Nutrition in Practice include a compulsory placement (around 150 hours), while others focus on food processing, product development, and public health nutrition. It’s the year where theory really meets the real world.
Final Year
You’ll take on a major research project and choose placement options (either short or a full 30-week sandwich year). Modules cover advanced nutrition in health and disease, lifestyle and behaviour, and applied food safety. It’s your chance to specialise and shape your career direction.
Focus areas: Nutrition science, Food safety & microbiology, Product development, Public health & behaviour, Placements & research
Learning outcomes: Apply nutrition knowledge to health challenges, develop practical lab and research skills, gain professional placement experience, critically assess scientific evidence, and design nutrition-based solutions
Professional alignment (accreditation): Accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN) from September 2025 entry onwards
Reputation (employability rankings):
90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months
Average starting salary around £24,500 for nutrition graduates.
When you study BSc (Hons) Nutrition at Bournemouth University, it’s not just about reading textbooks — it’s about doing. You’ll get your hands on real lab work, take part in group projects, and experience placements that show you what working in nutrition is really like. From the moment you start, you’ll have access to modern labs, specialist equipment, and supportive staff who are active researchers in nutrition and public health. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the practical skills and confidence to step straight into a professional role.
Here’s how your learning will be hands-on and career-ready:
State-of-the-art labs & facilities:
Work in fully equipped nutrition, health science, and physiology labs on campus, where you’ll carry out food analysis, metabolic testing, and physiological experiments.
Placements & real-world experience:
Complete a 20-day compulsory placement in a nutrition-related setting to see theory in action. You can also opt for a year-long sandwich placement, gaining deep industry experience.
Collaborative projects & research:
Take part in group work, case studies, and peer learning throughout the course. In your final year, you’ll design and complete an independent research project, often linked to current faculty research.
Professional skills & reflection:
Keep reflective portfolios and logbooks during placements and labs, helping you track your growth and meet professional standards set by the Association for Nutrition.
Research centers & interdisciplinary links:
Connect with BU’s Nutrition Cluster, Centre for Wellbeing & Long-Term Health, and Centre for Public Health — opportunities to get involved in cutting-edge research.
Library & digital tools:
Access BU’s libraries, online databases, and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for flexible, 24/7 learning support.
You’ll be fully supported with facilities, staff guidance, and real-world experience that makes your learning meaningful and career-focused.
Graduates from the BSc (Hons) Nutrition at Bournemouth University leave ready to take on a variety of exciting roles in nutrition and health. They gain the skills to work in public health, the food industry, or clinical settings, ensuring they can make a real impact on people’s health and wellbeing. Typical career paths include: Nutritionist, Food Product Developer, Clinical Nutrition Assistant, Health Promotion Specialist.
University Support Services
Bournemouth University provides strong support to help students move smoothly into their careers:
Careers & Employability Service – guidance on CVs, interviews, and job applications.
MyCareerHub – access to job listings, internships, and career events.
Placement Opportunities – includes a compulsory 150-hour placement and optional 30-week sandwich placement to gain practical experience.
Graduate Outcomes & Industry Links:
Employment Rate – 90% of graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months.
Median Salary – approximately £24,500.
Industry Partnerships – placements and collaborations with local and international companies in healthcare, food, and public health sectors.
Accreditation – accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN), allowing graduates to register as Associate Nutritionists (ANutr).
Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue their studies with postgraduate courses, such as the MSc Nutrition & Behaviour, for advanced knowledge in nutrition science and public health applications.
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