Human Nutrition and Health

Human nutrition and health is the science of how what we eat affects our bodies, our minds, and our long-term wellbeing. It draws on biochemistry, physiology, epidemiology, and public health to examine the relationship between diet and health at both the individual and population level. As rates of diet-related disease, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, continue to rise globally, the need for well-trained nutrition professionals has never been greater.

The discipline also extends to sport and performance nutrition, food systems, sustainability, and the social determinants of dietary behaviour.

At Sheffield Hallam University, this three-year full-time degree is accredited by the Association for Nutrition, which means it meets the professional standards required for registration as an associate nutritionist after graduation. You will develop the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to improve individuals' health, wellbeing, and performance, and to contribute to wider social and environmental goals through nutrition science. The programme includes a foundation year, making it accessible to those who need to build their scientific foundations first, as well as a sandwich year and a work placement, giving you structured professional experience in nutrition-related settings before you graduate.

This applied orientation is reinforced throughout the degree through case studies, practical laboratory work, and reflective professional development.

Graduates from accredited nutrition programmes go on to work in a wide range of settings. Many work in public health nutrition, community health, the NHS, and local government, helping to design and deliver programmes that improve population health. Others work in food industry roles in product development, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs.

Sport science, research, health promotion, and education are further destinations. Postgraduate study in dietetics, public health, or food science is a natural next step for those who want to develop specialist expertise.