Master's Programme in Nutrition Science, Master of Science

In the Master’s Programme in Nutrition Science, you study nutrition-related phenomena at the individual and population levels. The programme covers the role of nutrition in the human body, health promotion, disease prevention, dietary patterns, food consumption, nutrient intake, nutritional status, and the links between human nutrition and sustainability.

The degree is 120 ECTS credits and takes two years of full-time contact teaching. It includes 60 ECTS of advanced studies, with a 30 ECTS master’s thesis, and 60 ECTS of other studies, including an introductory course, methodological studies, optional studies and career studies. You choose between the elective advanced study modules Nutritional Physiology and Molecular Nutrition and Public Health Nutrition, and you may complete a traineeship as part of your studies.

The University of Helsinki describes the programme as suitable for students who want to deepen their knowledge of how nutrition affects the human body or shapes the health of populations. It prepares students for evidence-based expert roles in research, health promotion, communications, food services, and the food industry.

Modules

• Nutritional Physiology and Molecular Nutrition
• Public Health Nutrition
• Introductory course
• Methodological studies
• Optional studies
• Career studies

• A bachelor's degree from a higher education institution in Finland or abroad with a sufficient number of studies relevant to the field.
• At least 15 ECTS credits in nutrition science, for example nutritional physiology, dietary assessment methods, public health nutrition, or nutrition and health.
• A total of at least 35 ECTS credits in nutrition science and studies in other applicable disciplines related to the master's programme, for example biochemistry, physiology, food science, health sciences, home economics, food systems, or sustainability science.
• At least 15 ECTS credits in research methods, for example scientific thinking, statistics, qualitative methods, dietary assessment, or bioinformatics.
• If you are completing a bachelor's degree at the University of Helsinki that includes a master’s option for this programme, complete the required prerequisite courses in your bachelor’s studies and select the Master’s Programme in Nutrition Science when you graduate.

• research
• health promotion
• communications
• food services
• the food industry
• expert
• teaching
• management
• Nutrition expert
• Researcher
• Executive Director
• Quality Manager
• Planning Officer
• Product Manager
• Development Manager
• Food service manager
• special researcher
• Senior inspector
• University teacher
• lecturer at a university of applied sciences
• Growth entrepreneur
• Wellness coach
• sports nutritionist
• Journalist
• press officer
• content provider