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Master of Nutrition and Population Health

Postgraduate coursework

Develop advanced knowledge of human nutrition and skills that will enable you to practise as a nutritionist in a range of employment settings.

Domestic International

Domestic student information

Key facts

Duration

The time and cost can be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 2 years down to 1.5 years duration. See entry requirements below for more information.

Key dates

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2024 close 23 June 2024

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

This is an advanced course in human nutrition which draws content from related disciplines such as public health, food science, biochemistry, physiology, epidemiology, psychology, sociology and politics and policy.

Throughout the course you will develop advanced knowledge of human nutrition, an understanding of the biological, social and policy related aspects of human nutrition, and skills that will enable you to practise effectively as a nutritionist in a range of employment settings.

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Course information

Award granted
Master of Nutrition and Population Health
Year

2024 course information

Deakin code
H748
CRICOS code?
092729G Burwood (Melbourne)
Level
Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Course structure

To complete the Master of Nutrition and Population Health students must attain 16 credit points. All units are equal to 1 credit point completed over five trimesters of full-time study and/or part-time equivalent undertaken in campus mode of study. All units are core units (these are compulsory). There are no elective units.

Trimester 3 is a compulsory study period for all H748 international students in order to enable students to complete units in the required sequence and complete the course within the specified course duration of their Confirmation of Enrolment.

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0 credit point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Core units

Course structure applies from 2020

If you commenced prior to 2020, you should refer to previous online Handbooks or contact a contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information.

Students must enrol in the Burwood (Melbourne) offerings of all units

Year 1 - Trimester 1

  • Academic Integrity Module (0 credit points)
  • Principles of Nutrition
  • Food, Nutrition and Behaviour
  • Biochemistry and Physiology for Human Nutrition
  • Year 1 - Trimester 2

  • Lifespan Nutrition
  • Understanding Human Nutrition Research Studies
  • Essentials of Food Science
  • Year 1 - Trimester 3

  • Assessment Methods for Nutrition and Physical Activity Research
  • International Nutrition
  • Research Practice in Human Nutrition
  • Year 2 - Trimester 1

  • Diet and Lifestyle Diseases
  • Public Health Nutrition
  • Nutrition Promotion
  • Year 2 - Trimester 2

  • Policy and Practice for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems
  • Systems Thinking in Public Health Nutrition
  • Obesity Prevention
  • Nutritional Issues from Early Childhood to Adolescence
  • You may receive preclusions (*) based on previous studies. If you do, you can choose to undertake the following units:

  • Sports Nutrition
  • Postgraduate Nutrition Practicum
  • International Nutrition
  • Nutrition for Healthy Ageing
  • International Perspectives in Food and Nutrition
  • * Preclusion means that you are not required to undertake the specific units within the masters course, but you will need to choose other HSN7** elective instead.
    For example - If a Bachelor of Nutrition Science student has completed HSN211 Nutritional Physiology, they can be precluded from HSN701 Principles of Nutrition and they will need to choose another HSN7** unit to replace HSN701.

    Intakes by location

    The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

    Trimester 1 - March

    • Start date: March
    • Available at:
      • Burwood (Melbourne)

    Trimester 2 - July

    • Start date: July
    • Available at:

      Burwood (Melbourne)

    Additional course information

    Delivery of course content will be flexible and all unit content will be available in CloudDeakin; learning modules will consist of recorded cloud concepts available in CloudDeakin. Learning activities in each unit will be further supported by face to face learning activities with academic staff.

    All units within this course structure are core and all will include the required 22 hours of on-campus study. The on campus delivery methods will vary by unit but include either of the following:

    • Addition of 2 hours per week of seminars to the existing learning experiences
    • Intensive interactive workshops across the trimester.

    These on campus learning activities complement the existing high quality online delivered learning experiences which include the use of video, articulate storylines, screen captures and videonote already established within these units.

    Alternative exits

    Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition (H511)

    Graduate Diploma of Human Nutrition (H616)

    Course duration

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

    Mandatory student checks

    Applicable only to students undertaking practicum units, who will therefore require a Working With Children Check. Not mandatory for all students.

    Workload

    As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals, placements and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.

    Each unit will require 11-13 study hours per week that may include some or all of the following: guided learning with online learning resources, participation in online seminars, individual study, research of the nutrition literature, learning activities in the workplace, assessment activities and participation in online discussions. Each unit will be further supported by face to face learning activities on campus with academic staff.

    Participation requirements

    International students must attend the seminars at a campus to fulfil their visa requirements.

    Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3.

    Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

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    Entry requirements

    Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

    Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, you may commence this course with admission credit and complete your course in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent).

    Academic requirements

    1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points

    To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

    • completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline
    • completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline, and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)

    2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 16 credit points

    To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet the following criteria:

    • completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline

    *Credit for recognition of prior learning will still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.

    English language proficiency requirements

    To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

    Admissions information

    Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

    Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

    Recognition of prior learning

    The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning. 

    Applicants who have completed a Bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline (for e.g. Bachelor of Nutrition Science or Bachelor of Nutrition Science - Honours) may receive up to 4 credits towards this course and therefore will only be required to complete 12 credit points. The Course Director will review and approve the credits based on the relevant studies completed within the Bachelor or Honours degree.

    Please note: International students receive credits for this course which results in undertaking less than 2 years study period, may not be eligible to apply for the ‘Skilled-Graduate (Temporary) visa (Subclass 485)’ upon graduating from this course. For more information about this visa, please refer to Temporary Graduate visa webpage.

    You can refer to the Recognition of prior learning system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
    $30,400 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
    Learn more about fees and your options for paying.

    The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.  The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning. 

    One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course. 

    You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.  

    Learn more about fees and available payment options.

    FEE-HELP calculator

    What is FEE-HELP?

    FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $51,550.

    Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2024 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

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    • $* is the estimated full cost for a Master of Nutrition and Population Health (16 credit points), based on the 2024 fees.
    • is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
    • of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP

    *Disclaimer

    Deakin University (Deakin):

    • gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
    • advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
    • instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

    This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.

    Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

    The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:

    • does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
    • does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
    • assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
    • assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
    • assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
    • where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.

    Scholarship options

    A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.

    Search or browse through our scholarships

    Postgraduate bursary

    If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply direct to Deakin

    Some of our courses have limited places available - for the latest on courses still open for application, visit Courses by trimester.

    Create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, start your application, enter personal details, education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.

    Need more information on how to apply?

    For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.

    Entry pathways

    This course does not provide a pathway to higher degree by research.

    Contact information

    Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    As a graduate of this course, you will find opportunities in a wide range of nutrition positions in government departments, non-government organisations, community sector agencies, food industry and consulting.

    Professional recognition

    Growing public interest in the relationship between diet and health is evident and, as a result, there are increasing demands from the public for reliable and trustworthy information. In response, the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) has developed a ‘Register of Nutritionists’ to establish a list of appropriately qualified nutrition professionals.

    As a graduate of this course, you may be eligible for registration as an ‘Associate Nutritionist’. Following three years of relevant work experience, Associate Nutritionists are able to apply for ‘Registered Nutritionist’ status. Registration with NSA does not authorise registrants to obtain provider numbers with Medicare or Private Health Insurers. Please refer to the Nutrition Society of Australia website for further information or queries about registration.

    You can find additional careers information about this course here

    Course learning outcomes

    Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

    Graduate Learning Outcomes

    Course Learning Outcomes

    Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

    Apply food and nutrition and health knowledge from a range of perspectives.

    Communication

    Select and use a variety of engaging communication modes to disseminate knowledge to individuals, groups, government and non-government organisations and health professionals.

    Digital literacy

    Select and use appropriate technologies to source, understand, evaluate, and communicate information to professional networks and communities.

    Critical thinking

    Source and critically analyse the food and nutrition literature to apply an evidence-based approach to the field.

    Problem solving

    Identify and apply practical solutions to a range of changing and complex food and nutrition and health issues.

    Self-management

    Employ self-directed, reflective work and learning practices in a responsible manner to professionally contribute to food and nutrition sciences.

    Teamwork

    Work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams with a range of stakeholders to advance the field of food and nutrition sciences.

    Global citizenship

    Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates awareness of, and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts in food and nutrition sciences.