Nutrition and Health

Nutrition and health is a discipline that examines the relationship between what we eat and how we function, how we feel, and how well we are protected against disease. It draws on biochemistry, physiology, dietetics, epidemiology, and public health to build an evidence-based understanding of how nutrients affect the body at every level, from cellular metabolism through to population health patterns. As chronic disease, food systems, and global health challenges become increasingly pressing, the demand for nutrition professionals with strong scientific training and the ability to communicate clearly about evidence has grown considerably.

At Roehampton, this three-year degree with a foundation year is accredited and develops specialised practical skills alongside the scientific knowledge needed to tackle key health challenges and to promote disease prevention through nutrition. The foundation year provides a supported pathway into higher education for students who need additional preparation before progressing to degree-level study. The main degree covers nutritional science, the physiology of nutrition and metabolism, public health nutrition, dietary assessment, behaviour change, and the policy context of food and health.

Work placements and sandwich year opportunities give you practical experience in relevant settings, whether in public health, community nutrition, food industry, or healthcare environments, which is important in a field where professional credibility depends partly on demonstrated practical competence.

Graduates of nutrition and health programmes move into careers in public health nutrition, health promotion, the food industry, sports nutrition, community nutrition, and health education. Further training can lead to registration as an associate nutritionist or nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in dietetics, public health, or specialist areas of nutritional science, with some pursuing doctoral research.

Others move into the food and supplement industry, policy organisations, journalism, or international development roles where nutrition expertise is directly relevant to addressing food security and population health challenges.