Introduction
Develop advanced expertise in sport and exercise nutrition at Scotland's only specialised MSc programme. Based at the prestigious Rowett Institute, one of the worlds leading nutrition research centres, gain the skills to translate nutritional science into practical applications for athletes and active individuals.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
The MSc in Sport & Exercise Nutrition combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, preparing you to effectively support the nutritional needs of athletes, physically active individuals, and those beginning their physical activity journey. Through a blend of advanced studies and hands-on learning, you'll develop expertise in assessing and designing nutrition strategies while gaining essential research and analytical skills.
The programme integrates teaching from the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, offering opportunities to work with community partners and gain real-world experience. You'll learn to conduct nutritional assessments, design tailored diet and supplementation plans, and develop critical research skills essential for evidence-based practice.
What You'll Study
The programme consists of 180 credits at SCQF Level 11, including:
Core Courses
- Advanced Studies in Psychological Health
- Behavioural and Clinical Assessment
- Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
- Studies in Addiction
- Professional Skills and Scientific Communication
Practical Components
- Hands-on experience with analysis methods
- Practical applications in exercise and nutritional contexts
- Professional interactions in applied settings
Research Project
- 60-credit thesis project
- Opportunity to work with industry and third-sector collaborators
- Focus on practical applications in sport and exercise nutrition
Teaching combines tutorials, lectures, and practical sessions, with 3-8 hours of synchronous teaching per week, supplemented by asynchronous learning materials.
- Stage 1
-
Compulsory Courses
The following courses will be included:
RN5009 - Exercise Metabolism
- Foundations of Nutrition (RN5003)
-
15 Credit Points
The course will introduce you to the key theoretical concepts in the study of human nutrition and develop a range of transferable skills such as independent learning and interpersonal skills. It will enable you to develop a broad knowledge, understanding, and evaluation of core principles underpinning the science of human nutrition which is an essential platform for all other courses taken within the MSc Human Nutrition programme.
- Assessment of Nutritional Status (RN5008)
-
15 Credit Points
This course will give you a detailed theoretical and practical understanding of the methods used to assess nutritional status, including dietary intake, assessment of body composition and energy expenditure applied in the context of energy balance. Theory will be put into practice through a series of practical workshop and laboratory sessions to give you ‘hands-on’ experience of using a range of assessment techniques using state-of-the-art equipment routinely employed by nutritional scientists.
- Health, Well Being and Behaviour Change (PU5040)
-
15 Credit Points
What can health professionals and health care promoters do to improve their own and others health and wellbeing? What influences people’s health behaviours? Why do people find it difficult to change their health behaviour? What are the most promising strategies for improving health and well-being?
Health behaviours cover a wide range of behaviours (e.g. smoking, physical activity, vaccination, diet, taking medication, and practicing safe sex) and have a major impact on peoples’ health, quality of life, and (healthy) life expectancy. Nevertheless, many people have an unhealthy diet, exercise too little, don’t take their medication as prescribed, smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, and so forth.
In this course, we will address these challenges and students will learn key theories about health behaviour and behaviour change, including behaviour change techniques, in order to understand how health behaviours can be influenced by a variety of factors within an individual (e.g., conscious and unconscious thoughts, emotions, goals, and decisions), and also by factors in the environment (e.g., the behaviours and expectations of society; the quality of the communication by health care professionals; or availability and affordability of healthy options in the environment).
Health psychologists and health professionals are expected to be able to develop, evaluate and implement intervention programs to promote healthier behaviour, through changing individuals and their environment.
Within this course you will develop your understanding of health behaviours, what influences them and how to change them. You will experience the role of health behaviours from both the participant’s and researcher view, by developing, participating in and analysing your own behavioural intervention.
- Stage 2
-
Compulsory Courses
The following courses will be included:
RN5512 - Professional and Applied Approaches in Sport & Exercise Nutrition
RN5511 - Ergogenic Aids in Sport & Exercise
- Nutrition and Health (RN5507)
-
15 Credit Points
This course will provide a detailed knowledge of the relationships between diet, human development, health, and disease. Topics covered include diet and nutrition across the life course, integration and adaptability of different metabolic pathways to e.g. starvation, exercise, and the role of diet in the development of diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. In addition, it will also provide insight into the effects of malnutrition and food processing on health. A combination of lectures, and a laboratory class will help consolidate your understanding of the impact food and nutrients on health.
- Stage 3
-
Compulsory Courses
Students will undertake a Masters Research Project in Sport & Exercise Nutrition or a 60-credit Work Placement.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Please refer to our Tuition Fees page for fee information for this programme, or contact medadm@abdn.ac.uk.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Funding Opportunities
The following options are available to support your studies. Please click the links for full details and eligibility criteria.
Alumni Discount Scheme - a 20% discount for postgraduate tuition fees to all alumni who have an undergraduate degree from University of Aberdeen.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
This programme delivers a blend of teaching approaches to support your learning. You'll typically engage in 3-8 hours of live teaching each week through a combination of tutorials, lectures, and hands-on practical sessions. These synchronous sessions are complemented by asynchronous teaching materials that you can access at your own pace, ensuring a flexible and comprehensive learning experience.
Learning Methods
- Lectures
- Professional Placements
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment Methods
The programme includes both on-campus and online assessments.
Lab reports with individual assessment
Practical reports including:
- Wearable Technology for Free-living Exercise Physiology assessment
- Assessment of Glycaemia using Continuous Glucose Monitors
Why Study Sport and Exercise Nutrition?
Unique Position in Scotland
- Currently the only Sport & Exercise Nutrition MSc offered in Scotland
- Access to the Rowett Institute, one of the UK's most prestigious Nutrition research institutes
Expert Teaching and Support
- Learn from experienced academics and researchers actively contributing to the field
- Teaching delivered by experts across nutrition, sports science, and exercise physiology
- Benefit from award-winning supervision, with teaching staff including Dieticians and SENR Practitioners
Practical Experience
- Gain hands-on experience through practical sessions
- Work with established partnerships including Linn Moor residential school, NHS Grampian, and VSA
- Opportunities for real-world applications through community partners
Research and Professional Skills
- Develop expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Learn advanced analysis techniques including wearable technology and continuous glucose monitoring
- Enhance professional communication skills for working with clients and colleagues
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements for this programme are a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. We also welcome applications from candidates with other relevant qualifications and professional experience with supportive references.
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
You can apply to this MSc if you have:
- A 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject
- Other relevant qualifications and professional experience with supportive references
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.
January 2025 September 2025Careers
Graduates will be equipped for roles including:
- Sport nutritionist
- Performance nutrition consultant
- Health advisor
- Research positions
- Applied sports settings
Graduates can:
- Conduct nutritional assessments
- Design tailored diet and supplementation plans
- Enhance athletic performance
- Support exercise capacity and recovery
- Work with athletes, patient populations, and sports teams
- Engage in research and data analysis
- Present scientific findings
- Contribute to evidence-based policy development
Further Study Options:
Opportunity to pursue PhD programmes in:
- Medical science
- Sports science
- Nutrition
- Related health fields
- Supports continuous professional development for further certifications or advanced qualifications
Industry Links
Established partnerships with:
- Linn Moor residential school
- NHS Grampian
- VSA (Voluntary Service Aberdeen)
These partners have previously accepted students on placement.
Our Experts
Your learning will be led by experts from the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition and the prestigious Rowett Institute, one of the UK's leading nutrition research centres. The programme coordinator, Dr Brendan Gabriel, is a SENR Academic Associate and recipient of the University's 'Outstanding Postgraduate Research Supervisors Award' (2024). The teaching team includes active researchers and practitioners across nutrition, sports science, and exercise physiology.
- Other Experts
- Dr Frank Thies, The University of Aberdeen
- Dr Alan Sneddon, The University of Aberdeen
- Dr Fiona Campbell, The University of Aberdeen
- Professor Alex Johnstone, The University of Aberdeen
- Dr Justin Rochford, The University of Aberdeen
- Magdalena Rzewuska Diaz, The University of Aberdeen
- Buse Keskindag, The University of Aberdeen
- Karen Taylor, The University of Aberdeen
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Brendan Gabriel, The University of Aberdeen
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition
University of Aberdeen
Polwarth Building
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZD