MSc Nutritional Medicine

Entry standards

Medical graduates or those with a good honours degree in appropriate science or health disciplines.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 7 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

MSc Nutritional Medicine - structure and modules

Module Titles

Core Modules

• Principles of Nutritional Science
• Principles of Applied Nutrition and Epidemiology

Optional Modules

• Antioxidants, Phytoprotectants and Disease
• Obesity, Diabetes and Eating Disorders
• Diet, the Gut, Food Allergy and Intolerance
• Nutrition in Pregnancy, Infancy and Childhood
• Nutrition and Ageing
• Lipids and Essential Fatty Acids
• Dietary Minerals in Health and Disease
• Clinical Nutrition and Nutritional Support
• Nutrition and Exercise for Health and Sports Performance
• The Brain and Nervous System; Diet and Behaviour

Research Project module

A hypothesis will be examined by collection of data, or by analysis of the literature within a novel framework.

Programme Structure 

The Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded on satisfactory completion of eight modules, two of which (the core modules) are compulsory. 

Additional requirements for the MSc are a further taught module (nine in total) and a research project, which will normally be carried out at your place of work, for example, hospital, surgery, clinic or pharmacy. Literature-based projects are also acceptable if they include an additional element of complexity. A Postgraduate Certificate may be awarded on the completion of four modules, to include the two core modules. 

Those registering for the MSc or Postgraduate Diploma are strongly recommended to begin the programme by attending the two core modules, which are repeated every year, and must in any case take these modules at the first opportunity after registration. 

Module Overview 

The two core modules, Principles of Nutritional Science and Principles of Applied Nutrition and Epidemiology, have been planned to give an excellent foundation in nutritional science and applied nutrition which will benefit participants in their understanding of the other modules. 

The remaining ten modules range broadly over the interface between nutrition and health, covering diseases widely recognised to have a nutritional component and those, such as mental illness, where such a link is less well known. 

Some modules address stages of life such as pregnancy and old age while others concentrate on classes of nutrients important to health. The gut, being the means whereby we receive our nutrients, has a module to itself. Nutrition in the hospital setting is covered in Clinical Nutrition and Nutritional Support. A research module is required for the MSc (except with special permission). 

Core Modules

• Principles of Nutritional Science 
• Principles of Applied Nutrition and Epidemiology 

Optional Modules 

• Antioxidants, Phytoprotectants and Disease 
• Obesity, Diabetes and Eating Disorders 
• Diet, the Gut, Food Allergy and Intolerance 
• Nutritional Aspects of Pregnancy, Infancy and Childhood 
• Nutrition and Ageing 
• Lipids and Essential Fatty Acids 
• Dietary Minerals in Health and Disease 
• Clinical Nutrition and Nutritional Support 
• Nutrition and Exercise for Health and Sports Performance 
• The Brain and Nervous System; Diet and Behaviour 

Research Project module 

A hypothesis will be examined by collection of data, or by analysis of the literature within a novel framework.

Module Delivery 

Distance learning prior to attendance at the module 

Within the six-week period before attending a module, you will receive some preliminary material for study that may take some 40 hours to assimilate. This will generally be background material (for example, a core text and/or specially written material/journal article/s) aimed at ensuring that all students, whatever their previous learning experience, will have attained a certain basic knowledge of the subject and its terminology. 

Teaching at the University 

The three eight-hour days at the University consist mainly of formal lectures but will also include interactive or participative sessions, incorporating some of the following learning strategies: workshops, syndicated work, demonstrations, case studies, debates, journal clubs. You will generally be given additional papers, reviews, notes or reading lists relating to the module lectures. 

Distance learning following attendance at the module 

In the two months following the module, you will be expected to study the material covered and to carry out further reading (including that of journal articles) to expand your understanding.

Subject information

The Importance of Nutritional Medicine 

The increasing incidence of diet related diseases and the growing evidence of the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of disease demonstrates the importance of nutrition in the health and wellbeing of the population. The extensive media coverage of nutritional health issues, coupled with a high level of interest from the public, testifies to the growing awareness of the importance of the subject. It is therefore especially important that nutrition and health professionals have the knowledge and evidence base to apply to their professional practice.

Who is the programme for? 

The Royal Medical Colleges have approved the programme for continuing professional development (CPD) as required by the General Medical Council, and it is considered suitable for further training of dietitians for the Diploma of Advanced Dietetic Practice. 

MSc and Postgraduate Diploma graduates are eligible for full professional membership of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, whereas those with a Postgraduate Certificate are eligible for Licentiate membership.

MSc Nutritional Medicine - entry standards

Entry standards

Medical graduates or those with a good honours degree in appropriate science or health disciplines.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 7 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

Application procedure

To apply for this programme, please download and complete the application form.

Planned intake

40 per module

Start date

September, January

Programme director

• Dr Michelle Gibbs

• Professor Margaret Rayman

MSc Nutritional Medicine - fees and funding

Fees

Nutritional Medicine (per module):

UK/EU -  £940 
Overseas - £940

www.surrey.ac.uk/pgfees/2012

MSc Nutritional Medicine - professional context

MSc Nutritional Medicine - teaching

MSc Nutritional Medicine - learning

Assessment 

Assessment will be via home assignment. Following the three-day attendance at the University, you will be expected to study further the material covered and to read relevant literature and research papers. The assignment will include questions that range over a wide area of the subject material of the module and will examine skills as well as knowledge. 

Ability to cope with a range of questions will guarantee that you have attained the learning outcomes defined for that module. However, in order to allow you to concentrate on areas of particular interest or relevance to you, there will be a choice of questions.

MSc Nutritional Medicine - graduate profile

Student Profile: Rachel Leiper

MSc Nutritional Medicine

I am 43 years old and have been a GP for ten years. I developed an interest in nutrition while trying to manage patients with obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors. Also trying to feed my own three young children! 

I read about the course in a medical journal and chose to do it to increase my understanding of the relevance of nutrition to health. The course provides a broad, scientific and entirely evidence-based analysis of the major aspects of diet, nutrition and health from pre-conception to old age. 

It has been hard work but fascinating to me, drawing on all aspects of medicine and from all disciplines. In my practice, the course provides me with current knowledge so I can raise nutritional aspects of health with my patients, give sound advice and reject food myths and fads. 

The course is well managed, responsive and has an international reputation. It benefits from having world leaders in nutritional research as course contributors. 

I am happy and excited that this MSc in Nutritional Medicine is going to continue its exponential growth in size and reputation, as its relevance and importance in health care provision is recognised.

Student Profile: Sheldon Cooper

MSc Nutritional Medicine

When I started on the programme I was a Specialist Registrar on the West Midlands Gastroenterology rotational training programme, and am now a Consultant Gastroenterologist with an interest in clinical nutrition in the Dudley Group of Hospitals. 

My interest in nutrition was sparked when working for a local gastroenterology consultant who managed a large home parenteral nutrition service, and furthered by observing nutritional challenges with in-patient care. This course is, I believe, ideal for any professional dealing with nutritional issues. 

Whilst there are other gastroenterology registrars on the course, students come from all varieties of backgrounds, for example, dietitians, GPs, pharmacists, dentists, nutritionists and others. With such a wide mix of backgrounds, discussions in seminars and lecturers (as well as socially) are very stimulating. 

The modules cover a wide range of issues of nutrition in health and disease, providing a well-balanced, scientific and pragmatic view. Every module attracts both national and international experts to share their knowledge. 

Whilst the amount of work is considerable, it is this, the slick administration, enthusiasm of the tutors and lecturers, support of the course organisers and the speakers’ standing in their fields that earns this course, and the awards/ degrees, such a high reputation.

MSc Nutritional Medicine - more

Programme Objectives 

The aim of the programme is to inform and educate those to whom the public turns for advice on nutritionally related aspects of health and disease and those involved in the manufacture of foods and food supplements. 

Additionally it aims to: 

• Provide a programme in nutritional medicine, defined as the science and practice of prevention and treatment of dysfunction and disease by nutritional means 
• Provide a high-level programme, based on a fundamental understanding of nutritional science, which takes a critical and scholarly approach to relevant theory, practice, literature and latest research findings on the importance of nutrition in diet–health–disease relationships 
• Provide new knowledge and understanding, for health professionals and other interested groups, of the role of nutrition in both individual and community health 
• Discuss the role of diet in the development of disease 
• Evaluate the potential, efficacy and scope of nutritional methods of disease prophylaxis and management 
• Examine current knowledge of the specific roles of individual macro- and micronutrient deficiencies and imbalances on short- and long-term disease risk 
• Explore the concept of optimal nutrition in various special situations 
• Evaluate the practice, efficacy and appropriateness of the use of dietary supplements 
• Develop an understanding of research methodology in the area of nutritional medicine 
• Supply a programme that would serve the need for training in those aspects of nutrition identified by the Royal Colleges

Special Course Dinners 

On some modules a special dinner is arranged on the theme of the module which is designed as a teaching exercise as well as a social event. Examples are: 

• Antioxidant and phytoprotectant dinner (Antioxidants, Phytoprotectants and Disease module) 
• Pre- and pro-biotic dinner (Diet, the Gut, Food Allergy and Intolerance module) 
• Fertility buffet (Nutrition in Pregnancy, Infancy and Childhood module) 
• Healthy fats dinner (Lipids and Essential Fatty Acids module) 
• Trace elements dinner (Dietary Minerals in Health and Disease module) 
• Running buffet (Nutrition and Exercise for Health and Sports Performance module) 
• Brain food dinner (The Brain and Nervous System; Diet and Behaviour module)

MSc Nutritional Medicine - apply

To apply for this programme, please download and complete the application form.