How do we improve our understanding of the relationship between diet and health?
Study the clinical and scientific basis of human nutrition.
- Train in clinical, metabolic and molecular nutrition.
- Explore issues affecting public health.
- Learn how to help prevent disease.
This online Masters in Clinical Nutrition is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN). It’s the voluntary regulator for nutritionists and nutrition scientists in the UK.
This flexible Clinical Nutrition degree fits around full-time work and lets you set your own study pace.
Study with the Rowett Institute
Join us online and you’ll learn with the Rowett Institute. It’s been informing government health policy and establishing the link between diet and health for over 100 years.
You’ll be joining an institute at the forefront of scientific research into diet-related health and food security issues today.

AfN accredited programme
MSc Clinical Nutrition is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN).
Graduate and you can register with the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists as a Registered Associate Nutritionist.
Find out more about AfN accreditationBy the end of this degree, you’ll be able to...
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Describe the scientific basis of nutrition.
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Explain nutritional requirements, from the molecular through to the population level.
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Describe the food chain and its impact on food choice, integrating the food supply with dietary intake.
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Evaluate food in a social or behavioural context, at all stages of the life-course.
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Apply the scientific principles of nutrition for the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals, groups and populations.
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Apply for direct entry to the UKVRN as a Registered Associate Nutritionist.
What you’ll study
You can choose to study for a:
- Masters (180 credits)
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
- or start with one of the short courses that make up this degree (15 credits).
How you’ll study
Online learning
This is a multi-disciplinary and research-led Masters degree. It’s delivered part-time, entirely online.
Your teaching
Your teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You do not need to purchase any books at all. You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Live teaching sessions are recorded for you to join live, or stream later at a time that suits you.
Your tutors
You’ll learn from leading academics and health professionals in our School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, and the Rowett Institute.
Assessments
All assessments are completed and delivered online.
Your support team
Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.

Dr Nigel Hoggard
Nigel is the degree coordinator. He’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.

Clare McHattie
Clare is part of the School’s postgraduate teaching support team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.

Get in touch
Our online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.
Ask us a questionWhere this will take you
Become a Registered Associate Nutritionist
MSc Clinical Nutrition is an AfN accredited programme.
This means, once you graduate, you can apply for direct entry to the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN) as a Registered Associate Nutritionist (ANutr).
The degree was accredited by the AfN in July 2020 and will remain so for five years.
Find out what it means to be a Registered Associate Nutritionist.
Careers
Completing the MSc Clinical Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen will give you the knowledge, understanding and practical insight required to advance your career in nutrition. You will broaden your career opportunities and develop an invaluable network of contacts.
Career options available to you include:
- Nutritionist
- Public Health Policy Manager
- Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinator
- Fitness and Nutrition Counsellor
- Further study (PhD)
- Academic jobs in universities (including lecturer, researcher)

Free careers advice
We’ll help you explore your career potential and connect with job opportunities around the world.
Access our free careers service while you study, and for up to five years after you graduate.
From interview training to CV clinics, we’re here with tailored, impartial and professional advice.
Fees and funding
The fees quoted above are based on you starting your studies with us in the 2022/23 academic year.
We have confirmed that our fees will rise by 5% for the 2023/24 academic year. The indicative fees above include this 5% fee rise.

Pay as you go
Don’t worry, you do not have to pay the full degree fee upfront.
You can pay for your degree one term at a time. This gives you a flexible way to spread the cost.
Why study Nutrition online with the University of Aberdeen?

Unique expertise
Have access to tutors and scientists at the forefront of nutrition studies, who are publishing world-leading research into gut health, obesity, and metabolic health.

Nutritional health pioneers
Study with the Rowett Institute. Its pioneering research has informed governments and the food and drink industry for decades.
Find out more about Rowett researchEntry requirements
MSc, PgDip and PgCert
- A 2:2 (lower-second) honours degree in Biological Sciences or Life Sciences
- or equivalent research or field experience.
These are our minimum entry requirements. They are given as a guide and do not guarantee entry.
Short course route to online MSc Clinical Nutrition
If you do not meet these entry requirements, or are not ready to commit to a full MSc, you may be able to use our online short courses as a route into this degree.
Find out about our short course route to entryMaster of Science - 180 credits
You can choose from the following courses and projects to make up the 180 credits of your MSc qualification.
You can start your studies in January or September and progress at a pace that suits you.
Duration
It takes a minimum of 24 months to complete the MSc. To study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. You can take study breaks between courses, as long as you complete your studies within six years.
Your final 60 credits
This flexible degree gives you a range of options to earn your final 60 credits:
- a 60-credit research project
- two of our 30-credit options: research project, case study and work-based placement
- a 30-credit project or case study or work-based placement plus two optional 15-credit courses (see above)
- or four 15-credit optional courses (see above)
Projects are optional as all 180 credits can be obtained through courses.
Postgraduate Diploma - 120 credits
You’ll work through eight 15-credit courses to gain your PgDip in Clinical Nutrition.
You can start your studies in January or September and progress at a pace that suits you.
Duration
It takes a minimum of 18 months to complete the PgDip. To study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. You’re welcome to take a study break between courses.
Postgraduate Certificate - 60 credits
You’ll work through four 15-credit courses to gain your PgCert.
Our online awards are flexible, so you can progress at a pace that suits you.
Duration
It takes a minimum of 9 months to complete the PgCert. To study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. You’re welcome to take a study break between courses.
Start with a short course
Not sure you can commit to a full degree? You can start off with one of these short courses that are part of the degree instead.
You’ll earn credits for each course you complete. Your credits count towards the MSc. You can study any course stand-alone, or build your way up to the full Masters one short course at a time.
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Master of Science
180 credits
£14,520
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2022.
Postgraduate Diploma
120 credits
£9,600
This indicative cost is based on 120 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2022.
Postgraduate Certificate
60 credits
£4,680
This indicative cost is based on 30 credits of study per term, starting in September 2022.
Apply for this programme
- Start month
- September or January
- INDICATIVE COST
- £14,520
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2022.
Apply via our Applicant Portal