Your Guide to Nutrition Degrees

Education can be a powerful asset when interested in a nutrition career. Some careers, such as nutritionist or dietitian, usually require a bachelor’s degree and registry with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 

Given the scientific nature of nutrition, you can strengthen your subject knowledge, develop valuable skills, and further build your network by earning your nutrition degree. Whether you’re embarking on the subject for the first time or looking to advance your credentials, it’s possible to earn a degree in nutrition at every available level: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate. 

Explore each type of nutrition degree, the coursework you can expect, and the careers you may pursue after graduation.

Bachelor of science in nutrition

Completing your bachelor’s degree involves declaring a major, such as nutrition and dietetics, food science, chemistry, or biology. When you opt to major in nutritional science, you may earn your advanced degree in a specialised area of nutrition, such as public health nutrition, weight management, or sports nutrition. 

Not every university offers every major. It’s important to reflect on your interests and career goals as you research relevant programmes and apply them to those that best align with the outcomes you hope to achieve. 

• Length of time: Three to four years if attending full-time

• Approximate tuition cost for UK students: £9,535 

• Approximate cost for international students: £15,000 to £40,000 [1, 2, 3] 

Coursework 

In a bachelor’s nutrition programme, you may need to take science, public health, and mathematics courses. Your nutrition-specific courses may also include an array of research or theoretical approaches, including: 

• Nutrition and health

• Food and identity

• Global nutrition

• Human metabolism

• Nutritional biochemistry

• Food safety

Careers

With a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a related field, you may pursue many careers, such as:

• Nutritionist: As a nutritionist, you work with clients to determine what they eat, how much they exercise, and other relevant data to develop a nutritional plan that addresses a health issue or improves a health outcome. Many employers may expect you to register with the Association for Nutrition (AfN).

• Dietician: In the role of a dietician, you work with clients to address health and medical issues that stem from a person’s diet and nutrition. You often draw on your understanding of biology, physiology, and chemistry to help patients and clients by developing scientifically informed plans. To become a dietician, you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and complete a programme accredited by the HCPC or the British Dietetic Association.

• Food scientist: In this position, you create or improve food products available to global consumers. Given your chemistry and food science knowledge, you may experiment and develop new products that will serve a market’s changing needs.

• Health educator: When you choose a career as a health educator, you work with a community to identify health needs and develop programming to address those larger issues.

Master’s in nutrition

You can earn your Master of Science (MSc) in nutrition or public health nutrition. Each degree involves completing different coursework (though there may be overlapping material) and promotes different career outcomes. 

• An MSc in nutrition focuses on conducting and evaluating clinical research. Graduates are more likely to become Registered Associate Nutritionists (RANs). 

• An MSc in public health nutrition explores nutrition, metabolism, and its impact on various communities and cultures. Graduates often work with governments, nonprofits, or communities.

You'll typically need approximately 180 credits to earn a master’s degree in the United Kingdom. 

• Length of time: Typically one year if you’re a full-time student

• Approximate cost for UK students: £12,500 to £17,000 [4, 5, 6]

• Approximate cost for international students: £24,000 to £36,000 [4, 5, 6]

Coursework 

In a master’s nutrition programme, you will build on your understanding of nutritional science and advance your methods of working with the public on health matters. The specialised coursework you take will depend on the type of degree you pursue. 

Sample MSc in nutrition course topics: 

• Nutrition across lifespan

• Nutritional epidemiology

• Clinical nutrition

• Research methods

Sample MSc in public health nutrition course topics:

• Nutrition therapy

• Population health

• Nutrition epidemiology 

• Dietary diseases

• Sustainability

Careers

The requirement for working in nutrition typically includes earning a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, plus registration or licensure in certain instances. However, a master’s degree can help you advance into more senior roles or those requiring additional clinical research. 

Depending on your area of specialisation, you may find that you qualify for roles that work specifically on a particular aspect of nutrition, such as an oncology dietitian—someone who works with cancer patients who wish to adjust their nutrition in an effort to promote better health. 

PhD in Nutrition 

After completing a master’s degree, preferably in a field related to nutrition, you can earn your PhD in nutrition and refine your research abilities. As a PhD student, you’ll conduct an in-depth research project on a specific area of nutrition, such as micronutrients, food sciences, or dietary intervention. PhD graduates often go on to work in academia or positions of leadership.

• Length of time: Three to four years

• Approximate tuition cost for UK students: £5,000 to £6,000 [7, 8, 9]

• Approximate tuition cost for international students: £18,000 to £60,000 [7, 8, 9]

Thesis 

Beyond the core coursework you’ll take as a PhD student, which will depend on your emphasis, you’ll also be expected to research and write an original thesis.

Which nutrition degree is right for you? 

The best nutrition degree for you is the one that helps you achieve your goals. Think about why you’d like to study nutrition in the first place and whether there’s a particular aspect of the work that seems more interesting. 

For example, do you want to help shape public policy? Or are you more interested in working with clients to improve immediate health outcomes? The career you ultimately want to pursue can determine your path forward.

Time 

Time is important when determining which nutrition degree is best for you. For example, if you’re interested in earning your master’s degree but do not have approximately six years to dedicate to that full education, you may consider starting with a bachelor’s degree and pursuing a postgraduate programme later.

Registration

For many careers in public health, you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You typically register with the HCPC upon graduating from an accredited university's undergraduate programme. 

Advancement

Many people who work in nutrition earn a graduate degree, like a master’s, to advance their career. With a master’s degree, you typically learn how to conduct more in-depth research, develop more specialised knowledge, and prepare for more senior or leadership-oriented roles.

Start your nutrition degree with Coursera

If you are interested in a career in nutrition, you have multiple educational options. You may choose from an undergraduate or postgraduate programme and explore careers in all aspects of public health.

Explore the field with Stanford University’s Introduction to Food and Health on Coursera. Or consider elevating your nutrition career with a Master of Public Health (MPH). You can enroll in a class for free, like Breastfeeding: Public Health Perspectives, from the University of Michigan, before you apply.