Nutrition and Medical Sciences BSc

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University College London

Program Overview

If you’re fascinated by how food affects the body — from how we grow to how we age, stay healthy, or develop disease — UCL’s BSc in Nutrition and Medical Sciences is a great choice. It’s a science-based degree that blends biology, medicine, and nutrition, with a strong focus on real-world health challenges like obesity, malnutrition, ageing, and global public health.

Whether you’re thinking about a future in healthcare, research, public health, or further study (like dietetics or postgraduate medicine), this course gives you a solid foundation to build on.

Curriculum structure

Here’s how the course is structured over three years:

Year 1
You’ll start with the science basics: human physiology, cell biology, anatomy, and biochemistry. You’ll also dive into Nutrition and Metabolism, where you’ll explore how the body uses nutrients and what happens when things go wrong — like in malnutrition or obesity. It’s a mix of lectures, lab work, and small-group teaching, so you’ll get a strong grip on the fundamentals early on.

Year 2
Now that you’ve built a solid base, things get more focused. You’ll study how disease develops on a molecular level (Molecular Basis of Disease), how we grow and develop, and dig deeper into metabolism in Nutrition and Metabolism 2. Modules like Malnourishment and Obesity look at global nutrition challenges, and you’ll start learning how to critically assess scientific research — a really valuable skill if you're thinking of working in research or health policy.

Year 3
This is your most independent and applied year. You’ll do a research project on a topic you choose (with support, of course), which is a great chance to specialise or explore something new. Other modules include Applied Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition and Epidemiology, and Sports Nutrition, plus options like Frailty and Ageing or Behavioural Nutrition. It’s a chance to explore how nutrition fits into real-world settings — from hospitals to sports teams to international development.

Focus areas

Metabolism, disease prevention, growth and ageing, obesity and malnutrition, public health nutrition, global health, microbiome, sports nutrition, behavioural science, and applied medical nutrition.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you’ll know how to apply nutrition science to health and disease, understand how the body works at every stage of life, and critically assess research. You’ll also be confident working with scientific teams, designing studies, and communicating complex ideas clearly.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

This degree is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN). That means once you graduate, you’ll be eligible to register as an Associate Nutritionist (ANutr) — a big advantage if you want to work in the UK’s health or nutrition sector.

Reputation (employability / rankings)

UCL is one of the top-ranked universities in the world — it ranks 6th globally for Medicine (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024).
Graduates from this program go on to work in research, healthcare, the food and pharma industries, public health, and NGOs — and over half continue on to further study, including medicine, dietetics, or master’s and PhD programs.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UCL, studying Nutrition and Medical Sciences is more than just lectures and textbooks. Students get plenty of hands-on experience, whether it’s working in labs, visiting hospitals, or collaborating in small group tutorials. By the final year, you’ll even carry out your own research project, giving you real insight into the field and preparing you for future careers in nutrition, healthcare, or medical research.

Here’s what the experiential learning looks like in practice:

Hospital Visits: See how nutrition and medical science are applied in real clinical settings.
Laboratory Practicals: Gain practical skills in biochemistry, physiology, and nutrition labs.
Group Tutorials: Work closely with peers to solve problems and strengthen teamwork skills.
Final-Year Research Project: Explore a topic that interests you and develop research and critical thinking skills.
Clinical Skills Facility: Train in practical procedures and patient interactions at UCL’s Royal Free Hospital campus.
Medical Sciences Campus Tours: Get familiar with lecture theatres, labs, and other facilities across UCL’s medical sciences campuses.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSc Nutrition and Medical Sciences at UCL are well-equipped for a range of exciting career options. Whether you're interested in working directly with patients, contributing to public health policies, or advancing nutrition science through research, this program offers a solid foundation to kick-start your career.

Here are some potential career paths for you after graduation:

Clinical Dietitian: Helping patients manage their health through tailored nutritional plans.
Nutritional Epidemiologist: Researching the relationship between diet and health outcomes.
Health Consultant: Advising organizations on nutrition-related policies and practices.
Public Health Nutritionist: Designing and running nutrition programs to improve health on a community or population level.

UCL also offers extensive support to help you land your ideal job:

UCL Careers Service: Provides personalized career advice, job search support, workshops, and networking events to connect with employers.
Industry Partnerships: UCL has strong ties with organizations like the Schoen Clinic, Fertility Dietitian UK, and Abbott Diabetes Care, which means you’ll have the chance to apply your knowledge in real-world settings.
Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN), meaning you can register as an Associate Nutritionist (ANutr) right after graduation — a recognized qualification for nutrition professionals.

Additional Information & Requirements

A levels : Biology at grade A and either Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics required.
GCSE : English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
IB : A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including 6 in Biology and either Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry, with no higher level score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either 'Analysis and Approaches' or 'Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
American curriculum : One of the following will be considered: 5,5,5,5 in four distinctive AP subjects, taken in the final three years of high school. 5,5 in two distinctive AP subjects, plus a combined score of 1440 in the SAT or a composite score of 32 in ACT taken in the final three years of high school. The successful completion of the High School Graduation Diploma also required. The successful completion of one year of study at a recognised US university, Community or Junior College, with an overall CGPA of 3.3/4.0 (equivalent to a 2.1) may also be considered. We expect applicants to complete around 30 semester credits (or equivalent).
Indian curriculum : The Year 12/Standard 12 Indian School Certificate awarded by CISCE or CBSE with five subjects at 90, 90, 90, 90, 90.The Higher Secondary Certificate / Standard XII awarded with five subjects at 90, 90, 90, 90, 90 to include three core subjects. Awarded by one of the following State Examination Boards: Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board, Bengaluru. Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education State Board of School Examinations, Tamil Nadu West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education
IELTS : Overall score of 7.0 and a minimum of 7.0 in each component
TOEFL : Overall score of 100 with 25/30 in reading and writing and 23/30 in speaking and listening.