MSc, Grad Dip, Grad Cert - Food, Nutrition & Health

The importance of the link between food and human health is becoming increasingly evident and graduates of the Food, Nutrition and Health course will be educated to a high level in the science of food as it pertains to human nutrition and health. 

• Understand the nature of food, how it is produced, how it is affected by processing, why we eat, what happens to food when we eat it, and how food components can interact with the functioning of humans.
• Apply the knowledge and understanding of food science and formulation to diet and nutrition in order to address nutrition-related problems in different groups, cultures and societies.
• Minimum registration to the Masters is 2 years, however students have 4 years in which to complete the programme thereby affording flexibility in duration of registration. This programme is delivered and assessed online.
  

The course is aimed at graduates from science-based disciplines with no previous or recent formal educational background in Food Science or Nutrition who wish to up-skill and become competent in this increasingly important and rapidly evolving area.

Applicants must hold a minimum of a Second Class Honours degree in a cognate subject (Science, Engineering or related discipline), or international equivalent.

Applicants with other awards who hold substantial relevant work experience will be considered.
Applicants who do not hold the requisite Science qualification (but who hold a Level 8 Honours degree or equivalent) have been admitted previously and are advised to submit an application for assessment by the Programme Coordinator to determine eligibility.

All applications are assessed on a case by case basis by the Programme Coordinator Dr Fiona Lalor.
Applicants are asked to provide a CV and Personal Statement with their application, along with Academic Transcripts (non UCD Graduates) and proof of English proficiency if required.

Applicants who would like to take a stand-alone module may do so as an Occasional Student, and should contact the School of Agriculture and Food Science directly for further details on how to apply and cost per module. Email: foodonline@ucd.ie

The course will provide you with the skills necessary to function in roles in the food industry, public health sector and food regulatory agencies. Within the food industry graduates will work in areas such as product innovation, technical sales, product quality enhancement with the distinct advantage of bringing a nutrition perspective to all aspects of the food industry including product development, marketing and sales.

Within public health and regulatory agencies graduates will work in the areas of nutrition and health promotion or food labelling regulation.

The MSc / GradDip / GradCert in Food, Nutrition and Health are delivered and assessed online. Therefore students do not need to attend UCD campus for classes or assessment. Many of our current students are based internationally. 

Each module is assigned a Module tutor; students can make direct contact with the Module Tutor and Module Coordinator with any queries.