Course summary
This comprehensive integrated four year Masters of Nutrition course provides a robust combination of the theoretical understanding and practical skills essential for cultivating a rewarding career as a nutritionist. Students commence the course with a view to graduating with a Master of Nutrition (MNutrition) in four years. There is an option for students to transfer to a BSc (Hons) route at the end of year two and upon graduation, both pathways lead to eligibility for registration with the AfN as an associate nutritionist. Both pathways develop professional skills, knowledge and attributes through a combination of university and placement-based learning. The undergraduate master’s offer an opportunity to delve deeper into areas such as leadership, service improvement, research and public health, at a higher level. The field of nutrition affects everyone in the world every day and has grown in importance in recent years. The science of nutrition employs evidence-based approaches to highlight the relationship between our diet and health, and it enables us to optimise health and prevent disease. What and how we eat is vital to individual and community health and it is an engaging and rewarding subject to study. If we are what we eat, then nutrition can tell us a lot about who we are, how we live and how we can improve the health of society. Why QMU?
- Staff expertise: Your learning will be curated by registered nutritionists and experts in the field who are actively researching some of the most interesting and impactful topics in the field of nutrition. QMU has wide ranging and widely recognised expertise in both health and food sciences, and is home to the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation.
- Excellent facilities: You will build professional proficiency in our specialist labs, using advanced equipment and proven research techniques. The practical teaching facilities include specialist microbiology, chemistry, food handling, and nutritional assessment laboratories.
- Professional accreditation/registration: The course is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN) and on graduation with an MNutrition or BSc (Hons) degree you can register with the AfN as an associate nutritionist.
- High rankings in the UK: QMU is ranked in the top 3 of Scottish higher education institutions for Nutrition & Food Science (Guardian University Guide 2024).
Modules
Modules are subject to change. Year 1: Human Physiology, Skills for Academic & Professional Success, Food, Lifestyle and Society, Introduction to Food Science Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Genetics, Sustainable Food Systems; Year 2: Health Coaching Conversations, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Nutrient Metabolism, Evidence-Based Practice, Pharmacology, Nutrition, Food & Nutrition Policy; Year 3: (MNutrition route) Disease Aetiology and Management, Sports and Performance Nutrition, Nutrition through the Life-Course Placement, Clinical Nutrition, Epidemiology in Public Health, Nutrition Communication; Year 3: (BSc route) Disease Aetiology and Management, Sports and Performance Nutrition, Nutrition through the Life-Course, Placement, Clinical Nutrition, Epidemiology in Public Health; Year 4: (MNutrition route) Current Issues in Nutrition Science, Nutrition in Practice, Enterprise for Health, Demonstrating Impact, Honours Project Year 4: (BSc route) Current Issues in Nutrition Science, Nutrition in Practice or Enterprise for Health*, Honours Project
Assessment method
Teaching is organised across two semesters each year. You will learn through face-to-face or online lectures, seminars, practical workshops, self-study packs and our well-equipped specialist laboratories, including microbiology, chemistry, food handling, performance and exercise, and nutritional assessment laboratories. Outside these timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. You will be assessed by a variety of methods (for example: written and practical exams, case studies, written assignments and presentations) at the end of each module or semester. Practical learning in real-world environments is the perfect way to consolidate your skills. In Year Three, you will undertake a compulsory nutrition placement in a setting of your choice and with the support of your tutors, through the placement module. This can be in a variety of settings such as schools, government agencies, public health organisations, community groups, laboratories, private practices, sports teams, care homes, or food and drink companies. This module has been organised to allow students to undertake their placements overseas if they wish to do so. The placement module is a great practical experience, providing students with an opportunity to network within their profession, and to enhance their employability.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Association for Nutrition
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B404
- Institution code:
- Q25
- Campus name:
- Queen Margaret University
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
For International fee payers, the cost of this course offered at the lower rate of £9,250 per year.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher - BBBC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H3, H3
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
We accept many different qualifications, but cannot list them all here. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information or advice if you are thinking of taking a course of study. We welcome applications from international applicants and you can find information on specific entry requirements by country here: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/international-students/information-for-your-country/. We also welcome applications from mature students, or people holding qualifications such as Access courses. The Scottish Wider Access Partnership (SWAP) offers a range of local Access courses and those that are accepted for entry are listed here: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/college-qualifications
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/access-to-higher-education/application-and-access/
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Scottish Higher - BCCC
Additional entry requirements
Other
Students may require a PVG check for the placement module, depending on their choice of placement. If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of you studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.
English language requirements
IELTS score of 6.5 with no element below 6.0
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| International | £9250 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
2025/6
Students from England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Republic of Ireland: full-time Rest of UK fees will be charged for the first three years of study. The fourth year of study is free.
Please note: there are some Health Sciences courses that are not open to international applications. Please check the individual course pages on the QMU website before applying.
Provider information
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Queen Margaret University Drive
Musselburgh
Edinburgh
EH21 6UU