Nutrition MSci, BSc

One of the top ranked Food Science and Nutrition schools in the country, we offer a Nutrition programme that develops your understanding of the science underpinning the relationship between diet and health. This programme is professionally accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN) and Institute for Food Science and Technology.Food-health issues are regarded by many as being as important as global warming. Nutrition is a fast-moving discipline that focuses on understanding the role of diet in maintaining a healthy human body and preventing disease. Nutritionists play an important role in providing evidence-based nutritional guidance.On this course, you ll examine the scientific, social and ethical considerations that inform the nutrition profession. You ll develop a deep understanding of the scientific basis underlying nutritional recommendations. You ll examine nutritional issues in the context of key topical issues, such as the global obesity problem.

Program Overview

If you want a deep dive into how food, nutrients, behaviour and policy all come together to influence health, the Nutrition MSci (BSc) at Leeds gives you just that—and more. It suits students who are curious scientifically and socially: you’ll study human nutrition, sustainable food systems, ethics, and public health, while gaining research-level skills and professional training throughout.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
You’ll begin with the essentials: understanding where food comes from, how it’s produced and preserved (via Food Safety and Preservation), the basic chemistry and biology of food (in Biochemistry of Food and Nutrients), and how to handle data (through Understanding Data). Alongside lab-based work and experiments, you’ll also get introduced to professional competencies (AfN / IFST) and food hygiene, so you start building skills that employers value right away.

Middle Years (Years 2 & 3)
These years deepen your knowledge: you’ll explore Nutrition Across the Lifespan (how nutritional needs change from pre-conception through to old age), human biochemistry at a molecular level, and how diet links with health via epidemiology and public health. You’ll also pick optional modules so you can lean into what interests you—maybe sustainable food consumption, behaviour change, or food systems policy. Practical lab work, case studies, and group projects are regular kinds of assessments.

Final Year / MSci Year
In the MSci component you’ll specialise and conduct major independent work. Expect to do a 60-credit research project on a topic you choose, plus advanced modules like leadership in nutrition, enterprise, and the latest in nutrition research thinking (e.g. personalised nutrition, plant-based diets, policy). You’ll apply everything you’ve learned to solve real nutrition and public health challenges

Focus areas

nutrition science; public health & policy; sustainable food systems; behaviour & dietary choice; research & professional leadership

Learning outcomes

you’ll be able to analyse food composition and nutrient metabolism; assess nutritional requirements across life stages; design, conduct and interpret nutrition research; apply ethical, environmental and behavioural perspectives to diet, policy and health; develop strong lab, statistical, communication, and leadership skills

Professional alignment (accreditation)

This programme is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN) and the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) — and graduates are eligible for Associate Registered Nutritionist status. 

Reputation (employability rankings)

Leeds is among the top UK universities most targeted by graduate employers: it ranks in the top 5 most targeted in The Graduate Market 2024 (High Fliers Research). Its research in nutrition, epidemiology, metabolism and public health is globally recognised, meaning what you study is up-to-date and respected.