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Postgraduate Study in Human Nutrition

    We all eat, and what we eat impacts on our health and well-being.

    It is the energy, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals within these foods that influence our health.

    Human nutrition is the study of how the foods we eat impact on our growth and development, disease risk, and physical performance.

    Nutrition impacts on the health of individuals and populations, here in New Zealand and worldwide, from birth to old age. You will learn about the nutrients within foods, their importance for health as well as the cultural and social influences on our diet.

    Why study Human Nutrition?

    Nutrition affects everyone, making Human Nutrition relevant to all. With new knowledge and skills, you will be able to make a real difference at the global, national, community and whānau levels. You will also learn about yourself while you study. You'll learn from world-leading experts who will provide you with the most up-to-date information in their specialist areas.

    Studying Human Nutrition opens doors to career opportunities in a variety of disciplines, both in New Zealand and worldwide. It also provides all the background required to become a registered nutritionist or continue into postgraduate study where you can apply your skills in real world settings such as working in our nutrition clinic, within the public health sector or with sports organisations.


    Are you just starting uni?

    Learn about studying Human Nutrition as an undergraduate at Otago.

    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, Master’s, 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.

    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.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    Papers
    Further information regarding the PGCertHealSc endorsed in Human Nutrition is available from the Department of Human Nutrition website.

    Papers
    • NUTN 401 Principles of Human Nutrition
    • Two of:
    • Further approved papers to the value of 30 points
    Further information regarding the PGDipHealSc endorsed in Human Nutrition is available from the Department of Human Nutrition website.

    Thesis option
    • NUTN 401 Principles of Human Nutrition
    • Two of:
    • Approved research methods papers(s) to the value of 30 points
    • A thesis (120 points)
    Coursework option
    • NUTN 401 Principles of Human Nutrition
    • Two of:
    • Approved research methods papers(s) to the value of 30 points
    • Further approved papers to the value of 60 points
    • A research dissertation (60 points)
    Further information regarding the MHealSc endorsed in Human Nutrition is available from the Department of Human Nutrition website.

    Papers
    • HUNT 490 Dissertation
    • HUNT 454 Nutritional Biostatistics
    • and two papers from:
      • HUNT 441 Research Methods
      • HUNT 442 Applied Nutrition & Disease Management
      • HUNT 443 Practice in Public Health Nutrition
      • HUNT 445 Applications in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
      • HUNT 452 Nutrition and Human Health

    Prerequisites for 2020:
    HUNT 311 Metabolism, Health and Disease
    HUNT 312 Nutrition in Cancer and Heart Disease
    HUNT 313 Life Cycle Nutrition
    HUNT 314 Nutrition and Health Communication
    HUNT 355 Perspectives in Sports Nutrition

    Prerequisites from 2021:
    HUNT 341 Nutrition and Behaviour Change Communication
    HUNT 342 Nutrition and Chronic Diseases
    HUNT 343 Community and Public Health Nutrition
    HUNT 345 Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition
    HUNT 346 International Nutrition and Health

    Papers
    • HUNT 441 Research Methods
    • HUNT 452 Nutrition and Human Health
    • HUNT 454 Nutritional Biostatistics
    • and two papers from:

      • HUNT 445 Applications in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
      • HUNT 455 Advanced Topics in Human Nutrition
      • HUNT 485 Research Project
      • NUTN 407 Advanced Sports Nutrition
      • or another approved 400-level papers

    or

    • HUNT 490 Dissertation
    • HUNT 454 Nutritional Biostatistics
    • and two papers from:
      • HUNT 441 Research Methods
      • HUNT 442 Applied Nutrition & Disease Management
      • HUNT 443 Practice in Public Health Nutrition
      • HUNT 445 Applications in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
      • HUNT 452 Nutrition and Human Health

    Papers and Thesis
    • HUNT 495 Master's Thesis Preparation
    • HUNT 454 Nutritional Biostatistics
    • Three of:
      • HUNT 441 Research Methods
      • HUNT 442 Applied Nutrition & Disease Management
      • HUNT 443 Practice in Public Health Nutrition
      • HUNT 445 Applications in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
      • HUNT 452 Nutrition and Human Health
      • HUNT 455 Advanced Topics in Human Nutrition
      • NUTN 407 Advanced Sports Nutrition
      • or another approved 400-level paper
    • Thesis: HUNT 5

      Note: The papers are normally taken before undertaking the thesis.Further information regarding the MSc in Human Nutrition is available from the Department of Human Nutrition website.

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    HUNT papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    HUNT141 2025 Understanding Human Nutrition 18 points Summer School, Semester 1, Semester 2
    HUNT241 2025 Fundamentals of Nutrients and Health 18 points Semester 1
    HUNT242 2025 Nutritional Assessment 18 points Semester 2
    HUNT243 2025 Lifecycle Nutrition 18 points Semester 2
    HUNT245 2025 Sport and Exercise Nutrition 18 points Semester 1
    HUNT246 2025 Applied Nutrition 18 points Semester 1
    HUNT341 2025 Nutrition and Behaviour Change Communication 18 points Semester 1
    HUNT342 2025 Nutrition and Chronic Diseases 18 points Semester 1
    HUNT343 2025 Community and Public Health Nutrition 18 points Semester 2
    HUNT344 2026 Foodservice Management 36 points Semester 2
    HUNT345 2025 Applied Sports Nutrition 18 points Semester 2
    HUNT346 2025 Global Nutrition and Health 18 points Semester 2
    HUNT441 2025 Research Methods 20 points Not offered in 2025
    HUNT442 2025 Applied Nutrition & Disease Management 20 points Semester 1
    HUNT443 2025 Practice in Public Health Nutrition 20 points Semester 1
    HUNT444 2025 Food - Systems, Services and Skills 20 points Full Year
    HUNT445 2025 Applications in Sport and Exercise Nutrition 20 points Semester 2
    HUNT452 2025 Nutrition and Human Health 20 points Semester 2
    HUNT454 2025 Nutritional Biostatistics 20 points Semester 1
    HUNT455 2025 Advanced Topics in Human Nutrition 20 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    HUNT460 2025 Research Project in Sport and Exercise Nutrition 20 points Full Year
    HUNT485 2025 Research Project 20 points Full Year
    HUNT490 2025 Dissertation 60 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026)
    HUNT495 2025 Master's Thesis Preparation 40 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026)
    NUTN401 2025 Principles of Human Nutrition 30 points Semester 1
    NUTN402 2025 Nutrition and Health Promotion 30 points Semester 1
    NUTN404 2025 Nutrition and Chronic Disease 30 points Semester 2
    NUTN407 2025 Advanced Sports Nutrition 30 points Semester 2
    NUTN590 2025 Dissertation 60 points Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 12 June 2026)

    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 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.

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