Our Global Public Health Nutrition MSc will give you the specialist scientific knowledge and practical skills to take an active role in global public health nutrition in a range of different settings.
Nutrition has long been recognised as a vitally important determinant of health status within both industrialised and industrialising countries. Significant changes are occurring in the profile of nutritional problems. Many countries continue to face problems of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, but countries in economic transition also face the public health challenge of rising rates of diet-related chronic diseases, such as obesity and coronary heart disease. Also, many industrialised countries now face problems of food insecurity among low-income groups. These challenges have led to growing political resources to address nutrition.
There is now an increased need for trained public health nutritionists to work in a range of contexts to control and prevent diet-related problems. The United Nations Secretary-General has declared 2016–2025 the Decade of Nutrition. What better time to develop your skills in this crucial area?
As over 800 million people still go to bed hungry while one in three suffers from hidden hunger and one in nine are overweight or obese, there is still a long way to go to achieve these targets. The targets are also essential for achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals, and you'll explore the role of health and nutrition in addressing these global targets by 2030.
You'll be introduced to policy-making, leadership and governance frameworks. You'll be encouraged to explore and debate the political and social influences underpinning policy implementation and impact and to create innovative solutions to address global challenges in our food system, such as the impact of climate change and food waste.
Your modules will explore the relationship between diet and disease, the nutrition science underpinning these factors, public health nutrition epidemiology, research methods for health science, nutritional assessment tools and how to develop and manage nutrition programmes.
The course will introduce you to stakeholders and skills that can enhance your professional competency, employability and development as a public health reflective professional.
Top reasons to study with us
Our course takes a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding health and disease as related to food and nutrition to reflect the changing profile of public health
We deliver a broad but balanced approach to the understanding of nutritional issues, in which the perspectives of social science are explored as well as the more traditional disciplines of nutrition, epidemiology and statistics
We offer a unique Essentials of Nutrition access course for those without an undergraduate degree in nutrition or health
Our modules are linked to global targets such as global nutrition targets and Sustainable Development Goals, including a module on global challenges focusing on climate change and the food system
Our teaching staff have strong links with employers in diverse fields such as school feeding programmes, population weight management programmes and addressing food insecurity in all contexts. Many are alumni of the course
Our course team is research-active and, in previous years, has involved students in ongoing research programmes with all assessments supporting employability skills
In previous years, field research trips have included locations such as Ethiopia and Zanzibar, and students have also undertaken research within London boroughs and UK NGOs
Why study this course?
There is a present need for increased nutrition and health capacity in the post-COVID recovery phase. Public health nutritionists are needed to apply population solutions with a clear understanding of the science, as well as the skills to implement them.
Prepare for your career in global public health nutritionOn our course, you'll be equipped with the specialist knowledge and practical skills to be a globally skilled public health nutritionist and prepared to work in a range of workplace contexts.
Develop key transferable skillsYou'll be supported to develop essential skills in group work, problem-solving and organisation, using and managing information, self-motivation and reflection and effective communication.
Fantastic central London locationYou'll be based at our Cavendish Campus in the heart of multicultural central London, with easy access to London's huge range of scientific, library and cultural resources.
Professional accreditation
The course is accredited by the Association for Nutrition as part fulfilment of the requirements for registration as an associate Public Health Nutritionist. Students on this course can also apply for membership and certification with the World Public Health Nutrition Association.
