Nutrition

BSc Hons UCAS Code

Course overview

Have you ever wondered how the food you eat can impact your body and your future health? If so, nutrition is the degree for you. Our course gives you the knowledge and hands-on skills you need for a successful career in any nutrition-related field.

Nutrition is more than just what we eat — it’s a powerful science that connects to some of the biggest challenges we face today, like chronic diseases, global health inequalities, and environmental sustainability.

You’ll develop a deep understanding of how nutrients work at the molecular level and how they affect things like appetite, metabolism, and disease prevention. Throughout the degree, you’ll learn how biology, genetics, psychology, and social factors shape our food choices and health.

By building a strong foundation — from how our genes interact with our diet to how nutrition affects entire populations — you’ll learn how to think critically and create real solutions to nutrition problems around the world. 

Teaching and learning

Modules

Core modules

5 modules

Scientific Skills and Practice

This module is intended to enhance your transition into university and guide you through the academic expectations of your degree. This module includes three generic sessions on ‘study skills and plagiarism’, ‘study opportunities’ and ‘career and personal development’, and a series of small group tutorials with your academic tutor. This willdevelop core skills such as finding crucial information, oral presentation, data handling and presentation of results, preparation for examinations, and essay writing skills all of which are relevant to biosciences.


Fundamentals in Food Science and Nutrition

This module will introduce you to the key concepts in the field of nutrition and food sciences, including:

  • constituents that make up food and its ingredients
  • their functional properties
  • the physiological impact of diet and nutrition on your body
  • dietary guidance and recommendations
  • analytical techniques to measure dietary and body composition

An Introduction to Genetics and Biochemistry

This module will give you a solid foundation in the growth and development of cells. You will gain understanding in cellular processes and the key macromolecules. Understanding the chemistry of these macromolecules is important in many areas of bioscience.

You’ll apply your learning of basic concepts though practical sessions and workshops.

You will study:

  • Mitosis, meiosis, cell division and differentiation. 
  • Basic genetic principles and gene expression processes
  • Areas of nucleic acid structure
  • Genetic variation; mutation and repair

Introductory Physiology

How does healthy nutrition help maintain a healthy body? The physiological systems of the body are essential for life in animals and humans. In this module, you’ll explore the functioning of the major physiological systems of the body. You'll look at what happens when those systems become dysfunctional. Starting small and getting bigger, you'll look at the role cells play in the functioning of organs, and then the role that organs play in the functioning of bodily systems.

You’ll study:

  • systems dependent upon good nutrition, including the renal and digestive systems
  • structures and functions of major organs
  • nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular and reproductive systems
  • roles of individual cell types in the functioning of major organs

Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Nutrition

Nutrients are vital to human and animal health, but how do they work? In this module, you’ll be given a comprehensive introduction to the key concepts in the field of nutrition. Depending on your interests, you can study human or animal nutrition, or both. Understand how the food we eat influences our health. Explore how the food eaten by animals impacts on food production and the global food system.

You’ll study:

  • micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals
  • macronutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates and fats
  • metabolism, and how nutrients give us energy
  • the influence of nutrition in diseases such as cancer and diabetes

Select student type

Entry requirements

3 years full-time

£9,535 per year

Careers

Compare this course

Discover life at Nottingham

From financial support to student life and accommodation, discover more about the Nottingham experience.

Welcome to your campus

With world-class laboratories, specialist facilities and a close-knit student community, ‘SB’ combines cutting-edge learning with a vibrant setting. Home to our biosciences and veterinary courses, you’ll enjoy a campus full of life –with everything from sports and societies to a farmers’ market right on your doorstep.

Ready to help

Head to our Help and Support hub for frequently asked questions and details of how to get in touch.