Human Nutrition, BSc Hons at University of Greenwich

Our human nutrition degree is designed to provide you with the scientific skills and knowledge to understand how nutrition relates to health and disease.

By the end of our degree in human nutrition, you'll be able to explain the significance of diet and nutrition-related illnesses to others to improve their wellbeing. You'll begin your studies with the fundamentals: an introduction to biochemistry, biology and physiology, chemistry for life science, and the basic principles of nutrition. As the course progresses, you'll be introduced to more specialist and advanced areas, such as clinical, human and public health nutrition.

The course, which is accredited by the Association for Nutrition and the Royal Society of Biology, leads to careers in healthcare, teaching, academia, research, the food industry, and sport and exercise nutrition.

What you should know about this course

•  Our teaching staff are highly qualified and research active, they have great links with employers
•  Gain the skills and knowledge required by industry
•  We restrict practical class sizes to enhance your learning experience.

Careers and placements

Will I have a work placement?

Students go to a range of companies and organisations of varying sizes for their placements, including large multi-national firms, government agencies, the NHS and small to medium sized companies engaged in research, analytical services and manufacturing. 

• Previous students have worked in: Eon, Dyson, ADEY, PS Analytical and E-liquids, GSK, NHS hospitals.
• IAESTE (British Council) placements to Brazil, Dubai and Poland.
• We have a dedicated team to search for and inform students about relevant opportunities and help students prepare for interviews.

How long is my placement?

Students can undertake a summer placement for between 6 weeks to a maximum of 3 months which can be related to a credit rated course at level 6, or can be undertaken for work experience, acknowledged by a Certificate of Industrial Experience. Students are also encouraged to apply for sandwich placements lasting between 9-12 months which sit between the second and third year of the degree.

What are the financial arrangements?

The Faculty expectation is that students are as far as possible treated like other employees of the company or organisation. It is expected that students on sandwich placements will be paid throughout their time with the company. In some cases, students on summer placements have had expenses only covered by the company. Students on sandwich placements are required to pay a reduced fee to the University for their placement year.

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

Our graduates are well placed for employment in both the public and private healthcare sectors, teaching, academia, private practice, research including the postgraduate study of dietetics, food product development/analysis and other food industry based work, sport and exercise nutrition, media, marketing, regulatory bodies, non-governmental organisations/ international development and institutional catering and menu planning.

Are internships available?

Interns can gain valuable employment experience within the faculty – subject to resources. Personal tutors will be able to advise students on where to access course internships.

Do you provide employability services?

We have a team dedicated to enhancing student employment outcomes. We have an Employer Partnerships Manager developing relationships with companies to provide placement and employment opportunities. Other members of the team focus on helping students to develop their knowledge of job markets, production of effective CVs, cover letters and application forms, understanding HR selection processes, preparing final year students for graduate job applications and applying for placements. Visit our Employability & Careers Service pages.