The programme provides training in public health nutrition in a global setting. An integrated programme covers epidemiological, dietary, public health, social and biological aspects of nutritional science. Specialist topics include: maternal and child nutrition; nutrition in emergencies; nutrition programme planning, evaluation and monitoring; nutrition-related chronic disease. The main programme focus is on nutritional problems in low and middle-income countries – although skills and learning outcomes are widely applicable to all populations globally.
The programme attracts graduates from many countries and various disciplines who wish to equip themselves for global health nutrition research and teaching, operational work in the field or community nutrition programmes, work in public health nutrition, including health promotion and nutrition education, and for policy and programme planning in nutrition. The MSc has been designed to focus on nutritional problems in low- and middle-income countries. This course is not a dietetic qualification.
By the end of this programme students will be able to:
- demonstrate an advanced knowledge of public health nutrition at biological, social & policy levels
- assess critically, select and apply a range of appropriate research skills and techniques, including: anthropometry, dietary analysis, statistics, epidemiology, qualitative methods, research, computing & information retrieval
- interpret and synthesise different types of data used to analyse and assess nutritional problems at population and population sub-group levels
- evaluate critically the findings of scientific studies on public health nutrition
- disseminate and present research findings in a range of formats and contexts
- 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
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.
Duration: one year full-time; part-time or split-study over two years. Ways to study explained.
Nutrition for Global Health
Watch 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
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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
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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
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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
- Principles and Practice of Public Health
- Project report
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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.
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.
In order to be admitted to the MSc Nutrition for Global Health, an applicant must:
- hold either a first degree at Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) 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 Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) degree or above.
or
- have relevant professional experience or training which is judged by LSHTM to be equivalent to an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) 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
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 students from all backgrounds feel encouraged to apply to study with us. To that end, we have introduced an innovative contextual admissions system that is designed to consider any barriers applicants may have faced and take account of the circumstances in which their grades have been achieved, rather than relying on results alone. More information on widening participation at LSHTM.
| Fees 2023/24 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Home | Full-time | £12,330 |
| Part-time | £6,165 | |
| EU/Overseas | Full-time | £28,540 |
| Part-time | £14,270 |
*Mobile users, scroll right to view fees
Funding available for this programme:
- 2023-24 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (TNGH) (application deadline: 13 December 2022)
Please note: this funding is only to citizens of the following eligible Commonwealth countries: Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu and Zambia
Sources of funding:
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:
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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:
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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
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 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.
Application deadlines
All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure availability of a place and a timely decision on their application. This is particularly important for applicants with sponsorship deadlines.
We strongly advise that you apply early as popular programmes will close earlier than the stated deadline if they become full.
The final closing dates for all taught Master’s applications for entry in the 2023/24 academic year is:
- Sunday 23 July 2023 at 23:59 UK time for all students requiring a Student visa
- Thursday 31 August 2023 at 23:59 UK time for all UK, Irish and non-Student visa students
Applicants will be required to meet the conditions of their offer and provide all necessary documents by the date of their Offer of Admission.
Application fee
A standard non-refundable application fee of £50 applies to all taught Master’s degree programmes and is payable upon application submission. Income generated from the application fee is shared between scholarships and student hardship fund.
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.
Do you need a visa?
Please visit our Visa & Immigration pages for advice and guidance.