Tackling the challenges of all forms of malnutrition worldwide, nutrition for global health focuses on addressing public health nutrition priorities, through understanding the role of nutrition and its determinants to identify ways for improving nutrition in a sustainable and equitable way.
Studying with us, you’ll gain extensive expertise through integrating epidemiological, dietary, public health, social and biological aspects of nutritional science informed by the latest research. You’ll develop critical analytical skills, be equipped to design interventions, evaluate their impacts, and bridge the translation of science to policies and programmes, ready to confront the challenges of public health nutrition. This course is designed to focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), however the acquired skills and learning outcomes are widely applicable to all populations.
This programme is accredited by the UK Association for Nutrition (AC226). You will therefore be able to apply for direct entry to the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists as a Registered Associate Nutritionist (ANutr) after graduation. Please note: this course is not a dietetic qualification.
What you will learn
- Develop an advanced knowledge of public health nutrition at biological, social and policy levels within a global context
- Assess, select and apply a range of research skills and techniques, including anthropometry, dietary analysis, statistics, epidemiology, qualitative methods, research, computing and information retrieval
- Understand how to interpret and synthesise data to analyse and evaluate problems at different population levels
- Identify and formulate appropriate responses and intervention strategies to address nutritional issues, taking into account the public health and social policy contexts
- Apply knowledge of effective teamwork and communication skills to solve problems and achieve goals
The aims and learning outcomes are detailed in the programme specification.
What sets us apart is our global research profiles - spanning from metabolism to maternal and child nutrition and public health nutrition policies. Not only that, but our academics are world leaders in their specialised areas and have contributed to numerous national and international commissions including the Global Nutrition Report and the WHO Guidelines for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6-23 months of age. Therefore, your learning will be underpinned by the latest developments in research.
To support your growth, you’ll be taught by both internal and external speakers. For your dissertation, you’ll have opportunities to work with the LSHTM Nutrition Group and external supervisors. Classroom discussions are interactive and engaging with students and academics from various backgrounds. The small cohort size lends itself to individualised support from tutors and supervisors.
Across the three terms, you’ll cover a wide variety of compelling compulsory and elective modules. You’ll also have the freedom to explore your career interests and aspirations during your independent dissertation. Past students have explored public health nutrition related topics in different settings including Southeast Asia, Africa and South America.
Who is it for?
We’ve designed this course for anyone who’s motivated to improve their knowledge and skills in public health nutrition. With students joining us from a range of career backgrounds, undergraduate studies and a wide variety of countries.
You might be looking to equip yourself for public health nutrition research and teaching, operational work in the field, or community nutrition programmes. You may use this course for intercalated medical studies to improve your skills in a nutrition related area. Or perhaps you are aiming to work in nutrition education, health promotion, or policy planning for international agencies, government departments or non-government organisations.
Graduating from this course, you will be highly regarded by employers with alumni securing roles in influential organisations worldwide. We also have graduates who continue on to a doctoral degree to pursue a career in academia.
Accreditation
The MSc Nutrition for Global Health is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (Accreditation number: AC226). Graduates have the right to apply for direct entry to the UKVRN at Registered Associate Nutritionist level, which entitles them to use the letters ANutr after their names. Other benefits of AfN registration.
Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma
This programme also offers students the opportunity to register for a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip). Details of what each course entails are summarised in the Structure tab.
If you study the PGCert, most of your study and assessments will be concentrated in the Autumn Term (October-December) with all assessments in January. If you study the PGDip you will additionally take modules and assessments in the Spring Term (January-March) with assessments at the end of each module and an exam in June. Further details on compulsory and elective modules and when they run are available on the Structure tab.
Duration
Master's: one year full-time; part-time or split-study over two years. Ways to study explained.
Intercalating study
Find out about intercalating this programme.
Nutrition for Global Public Health
Watch Professor of Global Nutrition Suneetha Kadiyala and Programme Director Hilary Davies-Kershaw talk about the programme.
The below structure outlines the proposed modules for this programme. Programme and module specifications provide full details about the aims and objectives of each module, what you will study and how the module is assessed.
- Structure of the year
Term 1 (September - December) consists of ten teaching weeks for AB1 slot modules, plus one Reading Week* in the middle of the term. Followed by the Winter break.
Term 2 (January - March) consists of a further ten weeks of teaching for C and D slot modules, plus a Reading Week in the middle of the term. C modules are taught in five half-week blocks before Reading Week. D modules are taught in five half-week blocks after Reading Week. Followed by the Spring break.
Term 3 (April - September) consists of five weeks of teaching for E slot modules, taught in half-week blocks, revision time, examinations and the project report.
*Reading Week is a week during term where no formal teaching takes place. It is a time for private study, preparing for assessments or attending study/computer skills workshops. There are two Reading Weeks at LSHTM: one in November and the other in February.
- Term 1
All students take three compulsory AB1 modules:
- Fundamental Public Health Nutrition
- Basic Epidemiology
- Statistics for Epidemiology & Population Health
One additional optional module may also be taken from:
- Foundations for Health Promotion
- Health Policy, Process & Power
- Principles of Social Research
- Terms 2 and 3
Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (C1, C2, D1, D2). The list below shows recommended or compulsory modules. There are other optional modules which may be taken only after consultation with the Programme Director.
C1 slot
- Maternal & Child Nutrition (compulsory)
C2 slot
- Design & Analysis of Epidemiological Studies
D1 slot
- Nutrition in Emergencies
D2 slot
- Nutrition-Related Chronic Diseases (compulsory)
E slot
- Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
- Analysing Survey & Population Data
- Applying Public Health Principles
- Nutrition Programme Planning
- Project report
During the summer months (July - August), students complete research project which enables them to work on a subject of special interest, practice skills of analysis and presentation, and integrate different aspects of the year's work, for submission by early September.
Please note: Should it be the case that you are unable to travel overseas or access laboratories in order to complete your project, you will be able to complete an alternative desk-based project allowing you to obtain your qualification within the original time frame. Alternatively, you will be able to defer your project to the following year.
Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma
This programme also offers students the opportunity to register for a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip). Details of what each course entails are summarised in the table below.
If you study the PGCert, most of your study and assessments will be concentrated in the Autumn Term (October-December) with all assessments in January. If you study the PGDip you will additionally take modules in the Spring Term (January-March) with assessments at the end of each module and an exam in June. Further details on compulsory and elective modules and when they run are available above.
| Course | You study |
|---|---|
| Master's | 8 modules (5 compulsory, 3 elective) + project report |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 8 modules (5 compulsory, 3 elective) |
| Postgraduate Certificate | 3 core modules (all compulsory - AB1 modules) |
It is possible to register for the PGCert or PGDip in the first instance and then, on successful completion of the compulsory core modules, transfer your registration to the PGDip or MSc. Information on fees for this option is available on the fees and funding tab. Students wishing to transfer their registration to PGDip or MSc should be aware that you must complete these within five years of completing the first qualification.
Changes to the programme
LSHTM will seek to deliver this programme in accordance with the description set out on this programme page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for LSHTM to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.
| Fees 2025/26 | Master's | PGDip | PGCert | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | Full-time | £12,940 | £9,050 | £5,170 |
| Part-time | £6,470 | |||
| EU/Overseas | Full-time | £29,960 | £20,970 | 11,980 |
| Part-time | £14,980 |
*Mobile users, scroll right to view fees
Early application fee reduction for UK MSc students 2025-26
If you are a student from the UK (and have a home fee status), you will be eligible to receive a 5% reduction in your tuition fee if you submit your application by 23:59 on Friday 4 April 2025 and subsequently register onto one of our in-person MSc programmes (some exclusions apply, see detailed terms and conditions).
You must be applying for full-time study on a programme starting in September 2025; be funding your fees yourself; and be a new applicant.
If you meet the above criteria and submit your application by the deadline, you will automatically receive the tuition fee discount.
In order to be admitted to the MSc Nutrition for Global Public Health, an applicant must:
- hold either a first degree at Lower Second Class Honours (2:2) standard in a relevant discipline, or a degree in medicine recognised by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) for the purposes of practising medicine in the UK, or another degree of equivalent standard awarded by an overseas institution recognised by UK ENIC or the GMC.
or
- hold a professional qualification appropriate to the programme of study to be followed obtained by written examinations and judged by LSHTM to be equivalent to an Lower Second Class Honours (2:2) degree or above.
or
- have relevant professional experience or training which is judged by LSHTM to be equivalent to an Lower Second Class Honours (2:2) degree or above.
If you have not previously studied in the UK, you can check our guide to international equivalent qualifications for our master's degrees.
Applicants who have worked in nutrition, health or other relevant global nutrition activities will be given preference. It is essential that applicants from a non-nutrition or health background prepare both for their application and the MSc through pre-programme reading. Suggested online and book resources can be found on our new students page in the "Reading list" section.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirement, but who have relevant professional experience may still be eligible for admission. Qualifications and experience will be assessed from the application.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to meet these requirements: Band B
It is possible to apply without English language test results however the results of a test may be listed as a condition of an offer of admission. Please see our English language requirements for more information.
Intercalating students
You will need the equivalent of a bachelor's degree to undertake an MSc. This will usually require you to have a BSc degree or have completed the first three years of your medical degree. More information on intercalating an MSc at LSHTM.
Access and widening participation
At LSHTM we are committed to ensuring that excellent students feel encouraged to apply for a course of study with us. We have introduced an innovative contextual admissions system that is designed to support those students who have faced the greatest barriers to their learning. More information on widening participation at LSHTM.
Applications should be made online and will only be considered once you have provided all required information and supporting documentation.
Please also read LSHTM's Admissions policies (pdf) prior to submitting your application.
You can apply for up to two master's programmes. Make sure to list them by order of preference as consideration will be given to your top choice first.
Please ensure you pay careful attention to the content of your personal statement (page limit: 1 page). We do not invite applicants for interviews, so the clarity and relevance of the information you provide in your personal statement are of considerable importance to us. We would like to know your experiences in relevant fields(s), your reasons for applying to our MSc, what you hope to gain from the training we offer, and how you intend to use the knowledge and skills you acquired to further your career and contribute to improving health.
Application fee
A standard non-refundable application fee of £50 applies to all taught Master’s degree programmes and is payable upon application submission. The application fee also applies to PG Diplomas and PG Certificates where appropriate. Income generated from the application fee is shared between scholarships and the student hardship funds.
Application deadline
The final closing dates for all taught Master’s applications for entry in the 2025/26 academic year is:
- Sunday 27 July 2025 at 23:59 UK time for all students requiring a Student visa
- Sunday 31 August 2025 at 23:59 UK time for all UK, Irish and non-Student visa students
Tuition fee deposit
Applicants are required to respond to their Offer of Admission and pay the £500 deposit within 28 days of receipt, or their place will be released and the offer automatically declined. The deposit is deductible from tuition fees upon full registration with LSHTM. Applicants in receipt of a full scholarship will not be required to pay the deposit.
Do you need a visa?
Please visit our Visa & Immigration pages for advice and guidance.
Graduates work for local and national governments, NGOs, international agencies, academic institutions, and in fields ranging from food emergencies to research on nutrient-gene interactions.
Below you will find just a few of the positions and organisations that our graduates from this course have entered:
- Example job titles:
-
Dentist
Dietitian and Nutritionist
Humanitarian Nutrition Trainee
Nutrition Business Development Officer
Nutrition Consultant
Nutritional Researcher
Project Co-Ordinator
Public Health Dietician
Health and Nutrition Area Co-Ordinator
Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Consultant
Project Manager - Example organisations:
-
Action Against Hunger
International Food and Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
OXFAM
Save the Children UK
Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance III Project (FANTA)
GOAL
Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
Medical Research Council
UNICEF
United Nations (UN)
Sainsbury's
HENRY (Health Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young)
Tearfund
