Nutritional Medicine MSc - 2021/2

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 7

Final award and programme/pathway title

MSc Nutritional Medicine

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
PGDip Nutritional Medicine
PGCert Nutritional Medicine

Professional recognition

Association for Nutrition (AfN)
Accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN) for the purpose of eligibility for Direct Entry Registration at Associate Level with the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN).

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Part-time PCA61001 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Other internal and / or external reference points

N/A

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - School of Biosciences and Medicine

Programme Leader

BATH Sarah (Biosc & Med)

Date of production/revision of spec

09/09/2022

Educational aims of the programme

  • The aim of the programme is to provide Masters-level (7) learning in Nutritional Science related to health and disease. Students will gain knowledge and skills necessary to investigate, understand and apply the concepts of Nutritional Medicine in relation to current health issues
  • To enhance the critical and analytical skills of students through taking a critical and scholarly approach to theory, practice, literature and research findings within the subject resulting in a greater understanding of the range and potential of nutritional management of disease risk
  • To provide opportunities for professional development, encourage the acquisition of intellectual, scientific, technical and transferable skills to promote self-directed and life-long learning, allowing students to show evidence of their development and support their career progression
  • To further the students' knowledge of the mechanisms underlying disorders with nutritional aetiologies at both the biochemical and molecular level
  • To develop evidence-based knowledge and practice in students in healthcare roles, private practice or industry who provide nutrition-related care or advice

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
The current dietary requirements/guidelines and evidence, related to adequacy of nutritional intakes in various populations K MSc
Epidemiology of nutritional status and related health in the UK and other populations K MSc
Human nutrition and metabolism in health and in the pathogenesis of disease K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
The specific roles of macro, micro and phytonutrients in health and disease K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
The therapeutic use of nutrition in the management of disease K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Analytical skills to allow interpretation of data or evidence and formulate conclusions K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Integrate knowledge across a broad range of specialised topics C PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Develop a critical, scholarly and evidence based approach to theory and practice in Nutritional Medicine C PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Use acquired knowledge and appropriate skills to make professional judgements C PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Design research and data analysis to understand nutrition research C PGDip, MSc
Know how to evaluate the nutritional status of individuals P PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Develop some ability in helping patients achieve dietary-behaviour change P PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Describe food sources of particular nutrients P PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Formulate appropriate information on nutrient sources P PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Plan a diet for a specific health-related purpose P PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Design/plan/undertake an appropriate research project P MSc
Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means T PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Work effectively and independently and in small groups and teams towards a common goal/outcome T PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Be able to communicate knowledge appropriately to patients T PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Measure food intake and be aware of the pitfalls in such measurements P PGCert, PGDip, MSc

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Part-time

This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over two to five years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics Y
Professional Training Year (PTY) N
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) N
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) N
Study exchange (Level 5) N
Dual degree N

Other information

1- Direct entry
Prospective students are allowed to apply for direct entry on to the MSc provided they meet the entry criteria for the course. These are: An upper second class undergraduate degree or higher in a recognised relevant subject (e.g. Nutrition, dietetics, biochemistry, pharmacology). Or a registrable qualification in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine.

2- Occasional student/CPD route
Prospective students can register and attend modules as Occasional students (e.g. as Continuing Professional Development (CPD)). Students attending as occasional students are still required to have a 2:1 (or equivalent) in a subject relevant to the course. Suitability of students not meeting these criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Programme Director.

Occasional students who, within 2 years, complete and pass 4 modules (60 credits), to include the core modules BMSM001 and BMSM002, will be allowed to progress by the following options

o Be awarded a PG certificate for 60 credits
o Continue with CPD modules
o Be transferred to registration for the MSc

Once registered this programme is studied part-time over a maximum of five academic years. For students entering via the Occasional Student/CPD route the maximum period of registration will be calculated from their first module registration.
There are two compulsory modules that run every year. The remaining optional modules run every other year in a set pattern. Half run one year, half the next year.

On successful completion of the programme students may apply for registration as a Nutritionist on the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists via the Association for Nutrition.

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.