Human Nutrition – Master of Science

Massey’s Master of Science (Human Nutrition) will give you the knowledge and experience you need to interpret and contribute to current issues in human nutrition.

Where you can study

Auckland campus
Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Specialise in Human Nutrition for your Master of Science at Massey

Massey’s Master of Science (Human Nutrition) will give you in-depth knowledge and understanding of the latest issues in the field of human nutrition.

Develop your research skills

You’ll develop your scientific research skills to an advanced level. You’ll investigate the links between diet and health, and the factors affecting them.

You choose how and where

Your research project can be completed in the nutrition research facilities on our campuses, in the community or in your workplace. Research projects may be part of existing research within the university, or designed specifically for your needs and interests. Your Master of Science (HumNutr) can have a particular focus, such as public health nutrition, sports nutrition or nutritional physiology.

Flexible study options to suit you

Study hours are flexible to fit in with your busy life, with courses offered in block mode. You can study full-time or part-time, combining study with your work and other commitments.

Teaching is a mixture of self-directed learning (supported by the Stream virtual classroom environment) and block courses (usually two eight-hour block courses for core courses and two four-hour, half-day block courses for elective courses). The block courses are video-linked and you can attend in Palmerston North or Auckland, regardless of where the course is hosted.

A Master of Science in Human Nutrition is a good fit if you:

  • want to investigate relationships between food, nutrients, health and disease
  • wish to develop the critical skills to recognise nutrition fact from fiction
  • want to apply nutrition principles to build a better world through related areas like public health or sport.

Planning information

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

The Master of Science is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.

The first part gives you good knowledge and skills that will help you with the research part of your qualification. You must pass Part One before you can progress to Part Two.

Coursework pathway

For progression to Part Two of the Master of Science, you will need a B grade average across the Part One courses including a B grade for the research methods course.

Research pathway

For progression to Part Two of the Master of Science, you will need a B grade average across the first 60 credits of Part One courses including a B grade for the research methods course.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Part One

Compulsory courses

Choose 45 credits from
Course code: 151704 Human Nutrition 15 credits

A selection of nutrition topics related to the human lifecycle and nutrients of concern.

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Course code: 151717 Selected Topics in Public Health Nutrition 15 credits

Public health nutrition is the promotion of good health through the prevention of nutrition-related illness in the population. This course will examine a selection of nutrition-related public health problems and describe how research-based evidence is used to develop effective promotion strategies.

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Course code: 151741 Research Methods and Statistics for Dietetics 15 credits

Quantitative and qualitative research design, methods, approaches including statistical analysis in human nutrition and dietetics as applicable in a variety of groups and settings. Topics will include epidemiological and ethnographic approaches, assessment of food, nutrient and energy intakes, energy expenditure, body composition, biomarkers, eating habits, food behaviour, and dietary practices.

Restrictions: 151708, 151709, 117709

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Subject courses

Course code: 231705 Pacific Health 30 credits

This course provides an overview and analysis of Pacific health. Topics include: Pacific concepts of health; health effects of migration, urbanisation, demographic transition and economic development on Pacific people in Aotearoa and the Pacific; Pacific health promotion models and Pacific health policies. Pacific case studies will illustrate how providers can contribute effectively to Pacific development and improved Pacific health outcomes.

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Course code: 231726 Health Systems and Policy 15 credits

This course uses systems thinking approaches to examine and compare the Aotearoa New Zealand health system within the international context, how it is structured and operates, and how this impacts on public health responses. Health policy and public health advocacy is examined as an instrument to enhance the health system and broader responses to major public health challenges.

Restrictions: 231701

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Course code: 231728 Public Health Practice 15 credits

This course aims to provide students with the conceptual, analytical and strategic planning basis for effective public health practice. The course focuses on the theory and practice of designing, developing, implementing and evaluating practice. It draws upon analysis of determinants, stakeholders, Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led and community development approaches, and intervention research.

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Course code: 231733 Big Public Health Issues 15 credits

This course critically examines the big public health issues globally using an analytical framework and case study approach that considers burden of disease, epidemiology, determinant analysis, health and other system responses and evidence of intervention effectiveness. Issues and case studies covered include major infectious diseases, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, injury prevention and mental health.

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Course code: 250703 Health Communication 15 credits

This course examines the primary factors that influence the effective communication and adoption of positive health behaviours by individuals and communities. Students will review: micro and macro-level theories of health communication; audience engagement and persuasion; the impact of evolving public attitudes to health knowledge; innovative methods for health communication.

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Part Two

Choose at least 90 credits from
Course code: 151871 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 45 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

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Course code: 151872 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 45 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

Corequisites: 151871

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Course code: 151875 Thesis 90 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

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Course code: 151897 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

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Course code: 151898 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work

Corequisites: 151897

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Course code: 151899 Thesis 120 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

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Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Master of Science (Human Nutrition) you will have been awarded or qualified for:

  • the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in the intended postgraduate subject, or equivalent, with a minimum B average in the majoring 300-level courses, or
  • the Bachelor of Science with Honours, in the intended MSc subject, having achieved a B grade average over the contributing courses and a B grade in an approved research methods course, or
  • the Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology in the intended MSc subject, having achieved a B grade average over the contributing courses and a B grade in an approved research methods course, or
  • the Postgraduate Certificate in Science and Technology in the intended MSc subject, having achieved a B grade average over the contributing courses and a B grade in an approved research methods course.

If you have a Bachelor of Science (Honours), Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology, or Postgraduate Certificate in Science and Technology from Massey University as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.

You must submit an approved research supervision plan with your application. This means you need to secure the agreement of a suitable supervisor for your agreed research topic. 

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

With internationally marketable skills, you’ll be able to select from a wide range of career opportunities as a human nutrition postgraduate, including:

  • health promotion/public health (such as district health boards, Ministry of Health, New Zealand Heart Foundation)
  • sport and exercise nutrition (such as elite and recreational sports teams and the fitness industry)
  • research in universities and Crown Research Institutes (like AgResearch, Plant & Food Research)
  • teaching in secondary and tertiary educational institutions
  • consultancy in industry (for example, for food companies and industry), corporate health and wellness and in private practice
  • government adviser on policy, education or nutrition
  • media (writing publications, television, marketing)
  • international relief work
  • medical nutritional companies (nutrition advisor, nutritional representative).

Earn more

A 2017 Ministry of Education publication, The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that in New Zealand:

  • young master’s graduates earn more than one and a half times more than the national median (five years after study) 
  • earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed
  • five years after completion, the median earnings of young master’s graduates are 15% higher than for those with a bachelor’s degree.

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

Accreditations and rankings

QS Ranking - Biological Sciences

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 450 universities in the world for biological sciences.

Learn more

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