Key facts
English language requirements
Overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6 in all bands. More information is available at www.ielts.org
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. See entry requirements below for more information.
Locations
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.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Nutrition and Population Health
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- H748
- CRICOS code?
- 092729G Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- 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 HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
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
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Year 1 - Trimester 3
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Year 2 - Trimester 2
You may receive preclusions (*) based on previous studies. If you do, you can choose to undertake the following units:
* 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 to meet international student visa requirements. 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 - additional information
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 classes, 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.
Entry requirements
Entry information
It will take you 2 years or 1.5 years to complete your 2-year masters degree, depending on your previous qualifications and professional experience.
2 year full time (4 years part time) – 16 credit points
Admission is based on:
- Bachelor degree or higher in any discipline, or
- Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent
1.5 years full time (3 years part time) – 12 credit points
Admission is based on:
- Bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline, or
- Bachelor degree or higher in any discipline, plus two years relevant work experience, or
- Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library.
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
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 this webpage:https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
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 tuition fees.
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.
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.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Entry pathways
This course does not provide a pathway to higher degree by research.
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. |
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