Master of Nutrition and Population Health
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Nutrition and Population Health |
| Course credit points | 16 |
| Deakin course code | H748 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2026 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 092729G Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Inclusive support for learning and participation
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Advance your expertise with Deakin's Master of Nutrition and Population Health and build the knowledge and skills to work across clinical, community and policy settings. This multidisciplinary course integrates nutrition science, public health, epidemiology, behavioural science and policy to help you address complex health challenges at both individual and population levels.
You will explore how nutrition influences health across the lifespan, from biological processes through to social and environmental factors that determine food choice. Develop skills in research design, data interpretation and evidence-based practice, alongside practical capabilities in food systems, policy development and health promotion.
You can tailor your learning through electives, including a postgraduate nutrition practicum with 100+ hours of workplace-based experience. Graduate ready to design, implement and evaluate nutrition interventions that improve health outcomes locally and globally.
Indicative student workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals, placements and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
Each unit will require 11-13 study hours per week that may include some or all of the following: guided learning with online learning resources, participation in online seminars, individual study, research of the nutrition literature, learning activities in the workplace, assessment activities and participation in online discussions. Each unit will be further supported by face to face learning activities on campus with academic staff.
Professional recognition
Growing public interest in the relationship between diet and health is evident and, as a result, there are increasing demands from the public for reliable and trustworthy information. In response, the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) has developed a ‘Register of Nutritionists’ to establish a list of appropriately qualified nutrition professionals.
As a graduate of this course, you may be eligible for registration as an ‘Associate Nutritionist’. Following three years of relevant work experience, Associate Nutritionists are able to apply for ‘Registered Nutritionist’ status. Registration with NSA does not authorise registrants to obtain provider numbers with Medicare or Private Health Insurers. Please refer to the Nutrition Society of Australia website for further information or queries about registration.
Career opportunities
With rising rates of chronic illness, food insecurity and health inequity, the need for population-focused nutrition strategies has never been greater. There is growing demand for professionals who understand how to design, implement and evaluate nutrition interventions that support the health of entire communities. At Deakin, you will be learning from Australia’s top-ranked university for nutrition science research^, so you can be confident your skills are grounded in the latest evidence.
The Master of Nutrition and Population Health prepares you to step into this space with confidence. Whether you are already working in public health or planning a career change, this course equips you with practical skills in health promotion, program evaluation and research translation – all underpinned by a strong foundation in human nutrition.
There is increasing demand for professionals who can share reliable, evidence-based nutrition knowledge. In fact, jobs in nutrition are projected to grow by 15.6% over the five years to 2029.*
As a graduate of this course, you will be well placed to pursue meaningful roles across a wide range of sectors. These include government departments, non-government organisations (NGOs), community agencies, food industry settings and consultancy work. You might work in areas such as:
- developing or managing public health and nutrition programs
- designing policies or guidelines that promote healthy eating
- evaluating community-based food and nutrition initiatives
- contributing to food sustainability and access strategies
- consulting for organisations on nutrition-related projects
Learn more about careers in nutrition.
* 2024 Employment Projections – for the five years to 2029, Australian Government, Jobs and Skills Australia
^ The Australian’s 2025 Research Magazine
Inclusive support for learning and participation
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, you can contact our Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) team for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
Participation requirements
International students must attend the seminars at a campus to fulfil their visa requirements.
Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3.
Mandatory student checks
Applicable only to students undertaking practicum units, who will therefore require a Working With Children Check. Not mandatory for all students.
Pathways
This course does not provide a pathway to higher degree by research.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition (H511) | |
| Graduate Diploma of Human Nutrition (H616) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply food and nutrition and health knowledge from a range of perspectives. |
| Select and use a variety of engaging communication modes to disseminate knowledge to individuals, groups, government and non-government organisations and health professionals. |
| Select and use appropriate technologies to source, understand, evaluate, and communicate information to professional networks and communities. |
| Source and critically analyse the food and nutrition literature to apply an evidence-based approach to the field. |
| Identify and apply practical solutions to a range of changing and complex food and nutrition and health issues. |
| Employ self-directed, reflective work and learning practices in a responsible manner to professionally contribute to food and nutrition sciences. |
| Work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams with a range of stakeholders to advance the field of food and nutrition sciences. |
| Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates awareness of, and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts in food and nutrition sciences. |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Nutrition and Population Health you must pass 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 16-credit point Master of Nutrition and Population Health includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 15 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of course electives.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Trimester 3 is a compulsory study period for all H748 international students in order to enable students to complete units in the required sequence and complete the course within the specified course duration of their Confirmation of Enrolment.
Course structure
Core units
Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2026 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2026 should refer to previous online Handbooks or contact a contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information.
Students must enrol in the Burwood (Melbourne) offerings of all units
You may receive preclusions (*) based on previous studies. See below
Year 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HSN701 | Principles of Nutrition |
| HSN713 | Food, Nutrition and Behaviour |
| HSN749 | Biochemistry and Physiology for Human Nutrition |
Year 1 - Trimester 2
| HSN702 | Lifespan Nutrition |
| HSN715 | Understanding Human Nutrition Research Studies |
| HSN735 | Essentials of Food Science |
Year 1 - Trimester 3
| HSN719 | Assessment Methods for Nutrition and Physical Activity Research |
| HSN738 | International Nutrition |
| HSN753 | Research Practice in Human Nutrition |
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| HSN703 | Diet and Lifestyle Diseases |
| HSN705 | Public Health Nutrition |
| HSN708 | Nutrition Promotion |
Year 2 - Trimester 2
| HSN706 | Policy and Practice for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems |
| HSN714 | Systems Thinking in Public Health Nutrition |
| HSN734 | Obesity Prevention |
Elective units:
| HSN746 | Nutritional Issues from Early Childhood to Adolescence |
| HSN709 | Sports Nutrition |
| HSN741 | Postgraduate Nutrition Practicum |
| HSN743 | Nutrition for Healthy Ageing |
| HSN760 | International Perspectives in Food and Nutrition |
* Preclusion means that you are not required to undertake the specific units within the masters course, but you will need to choose other of the HSN7** electives instead.
For example - If a Bachelor of Nutrition Science student has completed HSN211 Nutritional Physiology, they can be precluded from HSN701 Principles of Nutrition and they will need to choose another HSN7** unit to replace HSN701.
Delivery of course content will be flexible and all unit content will be available in CloudDeakin; learning modules will consist of recorded cloud concepts available in CloudDeakin. Learning activities in each unit will be further supported by face to face learning activities with academic staff.
All units within this course structure are core and all will include the required 22 hours of on-campus study. The on campus delivery methods will vary by unit but include either of the following:
- Addition of 2 hours per week of seminars to the existing learning experiences
- Intensive interactive workshops across the trimester.
These on campus learning activities complement the existing high quality online delivered learning experiences which include the use of video, articulate storylines, screen captures and videonote already established within these units.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Research and research-related study
The prescribed course structure includes research specific units - 1 credit point research related study and 1 credit point independent research as well as 1 credit point in nutrition assessment unit.
An additional 4 credit point research project (2 x 2 credit points) is available where students can undertake them as extra units within the course. The units are:
| HSN750 | Nutrition Research Project Part A |
and
| HSN751 | Nutrition Research Project Part B |
Please note that these project units are only offered online.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.