Expand+To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.

These vary depending on the course and are detailed online.

Applicants must hold a degree (2.2 ...

Hide-To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.

These vary depending on the course and are detailed online.

Applicants must hold a degree (2.2 or above) or equivalent in a related discipline (for example – BSc Honours in Biochemistry, Dietetics, Food and Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Physiology, Sport and Exercise Science, Sports Science or other relevant degree discipline) or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning. Applicants must also demonstrate evidence of competence in written and spoken English (e.g. GCSE grade C or equivalent). Students holding an IOC Diploma in Sports Nutrition are eligible to apply for direct entry to the MSc programme following completion of a short research proposal module (10 credits) prior to completing the sport and exercise nutrition research project (60 credits) following approval of a suitable research project in consultation with the project module co-ordinator.

If English is not your first language this course requires a minimum English level of IELTS (academic) 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, or equivalent.

Visit ulster.ac.uk/englishrequirements for more details

This course is currently not available to international (non-EU) students.

For full entry requirements please see "Course Web Page" below.

Expand+Diet and nutrition significantly affect sport and exercise performance. The food and fluid which an athlete consumes before, during, and after exercise affects health and body composition, as well as performance and recovery. Sound knowledge of s...

Hide-Diet and nutrition significantly affect sport and exercise performance. The food and fluid which an athlete consumes before, during, and after exercise affects health and body composition, as well as performance and recovery. Sound knowledge of sport and exercise nutrition can ensure a healthy balance between exercise and diet for a range of athletes, from amateur to elite levels within different sports.

This online programme provides a postgraduate pathway for those interested in pursuing a career in the area of sport and exercise nutrition. As an accredited course, graduates are eligible to register with the British Dietetic Association (BDA) Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR) as a graduate registrant, allowing them to work autonomously post-graduation.

Career options are expanding and previous graduates have gained employment with leading organisations and professional sports teams within the UK, Ireland and internationally.

For further course details please see "Course Web Page" below.

Expand+Year one
Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare Sciences
A work-based module where students review, after consultation with their line manager, an aspect of their professional practice identifying evidence to support their recommendations, initiate ...

Hide-Year one
Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare Sciences
A work-based module where students review, after consultation with their line manager, an aspect of their professional practice identifying evidence to support their recommendations, initiate the keeping of a professional reflective diary and submit a report of evidence to support their action research plan. Students currently not in employment will be given advice on suitable topics from the module co-ordinator.

Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
This module will provide an introduction to the biochemical principles of exercise metabolism and will highlight the importance of nutrition in enhancing athletic performance.

Nutritional Assessment, Recommendations and Requirements
This module will introduce the principles of nutrition assessment. It will review the anthropometric, biochemical and dietary assessment methodologies, including the advantages and limitations of each.

Year two
Sport-Specific Nutrition Issues
This module discusses sport-specific nutrition issues and provides students with an opportunity to study in-depth current issues and challenges facing practitioners working within the area of sports nutrition.

Research Methods and Biostatistics for Food and Nutrition
This module will provide a comprehensive understanding of the research methods for food, nutritional and sports sciences. The design of experimental investigations and the use of specialist statistical methods will be developed. The module requires the completion of a critical evaluation of published literature and development of a novel research project proposal and problem-based assessments; issues relating to research ethics and governance are also included.

Nutrition for Health and Disease Prevention
This module considers the relationship between nutrition, health and disease. The module provides the student with the opportunity to further develop an understanding of the human body and how good nutritional practices can be effective for good health and disease prevention.

Practical Sports Nutrition
This module considers the practical application of sports nutrition knowledge. The module provides the student with the opportunity to further develop their skills when working with a diverse range of athletes and how good nutritional practices can be effective in improving exercise performance.

Year three
Sport and Exercise Nutrition Research Project
Carrying out an original, independent piece of research from the formulation of a research question through to reporting findings in accordance with the conventions of the academic area is an important part of the research training provided by Masters level study. This module provides students with an opportunity for students to carry out an original independent piece of research in the area of sport and exercise nutrition and present findings in the form of a journal manuscript and a conference presentation.

Expand+Career options
Career options within sport and exercise nutrition are expanding and include becoming a freelance sports nutritionist/performance nutritionist or working with sporting/government organisations. Previous graduates have gained employmen...

Hide-Career options
Career options within sport and exercise nutrition are expanding and include becoming a freelance sports nutritionist/performance nutritionist or working with sporting/government organisations. Previous graduates have gained employment with leading organisations within the UK and Ireland including IRFU, Ulster Rugby, Dairy Council for Northern Ireland and United Kingdom, Rowing Ireland and Apple. We also have a number of graduates who following mentored experience have set up independent sports nutrition clinics within Ireland and on an international basis.