Explore how nutrition shapes health, wellbeing, and human potential.
Changes to science masters’ degrees from 2027
From 2027, our science masters' degrees are changing. The Master of Science will be renamed to the Master of Science (Thesis). A new degree, the Master of Science (Coursework), will also be introduced.
Why study postgraduate Human Nutrition?
Human Nutrition is at the heart of health and wellbeing. At postgraduate level, you'll deepen your understanding of how diet influences physical and mental health, disease prevention, and recovery. You'll conduct research alongside nutritional scientists working in sports and activity, lifecycle nutrition, behaviour change, chronic disease, micronutrients, sustainable nutrition, and public health, while developing skills in clinical settings, community programmes, and policy development
You will gain the skills to design evidence-based nutrition strategies and policies that improve lives, locally and globally. Whether you want to lead in clinical nutrition, research, or health promotion, this subject opens doors to impactful careers.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate study in Human Nutrition equips you with advanced skills valued across health and science sectors. You’ll be ready to influence nutrition practice, policy, or research with confidence and expertise. Careers include:
- Registered nutritionist
- Public health nutrition advisor
- Research scientist in nutrition or food science
- Policy analyst for government or NGOs
- Health promotion specialist
What it’s like to study at this level
Postgraduate Human Nutrition combines coursework with research and collaboration. you will be studying with nutritional scientists with active research programmes in Sports and Activity, Lifecycle Nutrition, Behaviour Change, Chronic Disease, Micronutrients, Sustainable Nutrition, and Public Health.
Learning includes seminars, lab work, community engagement, and independent projects that push you to think critically and innovate. This prepares you to contribute original insights and solutions in nutrition science.
This is for you if ...
Postgraduate Human Nutrition suits those with a strong foundation in health, science, or related fields, and a passion for improving wellbeing through diet and lifestyle.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Human Nutrition as an undergraduate at Otago.
Work with real clients, real communities, real impact
At Otago, postgraduate Human Nutrition is intensely practical. You'll work with clients in our nutrition clinic under expert supervision, prepare meals in our test kitchen, and provide nutrition advice through our community food truck. Our Master of Applied Science in Advanced Nutrition Practice, the only one in New Zealand, includes substantial work placements with organisations that match your career goals.
Our staff contribute to WHO guidelines and maintain networks across elite sports, public health, and global nutrition research, ensuring your learning reflects current best practice.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc)
A one-year part-time (or one semester full-time) programme for health professionals who want to increase knowledge and skills in a specific area of practice
Postgraduate Certificate in Science (PGCertSci)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time (one-semester) or part-time (full-year) study
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc)
A one-year full-time (or longer part-time) programme for health professionals who want to increase knowledge and skills in a specific area of practice
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
A one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree, encompassing coursework and a chosen research topic
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc)
A one- or two-year postgraduate degree for health professionals, encompassing coursework and/or research in a chosen area of specialisation
Master of Science (Coursework) (MSc(Coursework))
The Master of Science (Coursework) is a taught master's, designed to provide an intensive, structured learning experience.
Master of Science (Thesis) (MSc(Thesis))
A two-year degree with a wide range of subject options. The MSc(Thesis) may be taken by a combination of coursework and thesis, or by thesis only.
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
You may also be interested in
Otago also offers postgraduate qualifications in these related subjects:
My business provides personalised nutrition support to rugby union and league players. I work online with 30 rugby players at a time from all over the world. My degree was critical in allowing me to set up my business at a young age as I feel very confident in my knowledge of nutrition.
Hayden Christie
Master of Applied Science (Advanced Nutrition Practice), Bachelor of Science (Human Nutrition)
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
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Note: NUTN 401, NUTN 404, HUNT 452, HUNT 443, HUNT 445 are required for those without a nutrition background. |
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Students must have a Science degree or equivalent including papers from desciplines such as; Health Science, Biomedical Science, Biological Science, Life Science, Chemical Science, Sports Science
These include: SPEX 450, 451, PUBH 712, 713, 733, 743, 744, 745, FOSC 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 |
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
HUNT papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUNT141 | 2026 | Understanding Human Nutrition | 18 points | Summer School, Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| HUNT241 | 2026 | Fundamentals of Nutrients and Health | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT242 | 2026 | Nutritional Assessment | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT243 | 2026 | Lifecycle Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT245 | 2026 | Sport and Exercise Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT246 | 2026 | Applied Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT341 | 2026 | Nutrition and Behaviour Change Communication | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT342 | 2026 | Nutrition and Chronic Diseases | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT343 | 2026 | Community and Public Health Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT344 | 2026 | Food and Nutrition in Practice | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT345 | 2026 | Applied Sports Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT346 | 2026 | Global Nutrition and Health | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT441 | 2026 | Research Methods | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| HUNT442 | 2026 | Applied Nutrition & Disease Management | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT443 | 2026 | Practice in Public Health Nutrition | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT444 | 2026 | Food - Systems, Services and Skills | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| HUNT445 | 2026 | Applications in Sport and Exercise Nutrition | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT452 | 2026 | Nutrition and Human Health | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT454 | 2026 | Nutritional Biostatistics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT455 | 2026 | Advanced Topics in Human Nutrition | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| HUNT485 | 2026 | Research Project | 20 points | Full Year |
| HUNT490 | 2026 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 11 June 2027) |
| HUNT495 | 2026 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 14 June 2027) |
| NUTN401 | 2026 | Principles of Human Nutrition | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| NUTN402 | 2026 | Nutrition and Health Promotion | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| NUTN404 | 2026 | Nutrition and Chronic Disease | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| NUTN407 | 2026 | Advanced Sports Nutrition | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| NUTN590 | 2026 | Dissertation | 60 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 11 June 2027) |
Contacts
Department of Human Nutrition
Tel +64 3 479 7959
Email human-nutrition@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/humannutrition
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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