Turn your passion into your profession with nutrition at Massey
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
With internationally marketable skills, you’ll be able to select from a wide range of career opportunities as a human nutrition postgraduate, including:
A 2017 Ministry of Education publication, The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that in New Zealand:
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.
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
To enter the Master of Science (Human Nutrition) 180 or 240-credit programmes you will have been awarded or qualified for a:
To enter the Master of Science (Human Nutrition) 120-credit programme you will have been awarded or qualified for:
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
From the Schedule to the Degree including:
A specialisation (subject) is compulsory. Most subjects require 180 credits.
These subjects require 240 credits:
Other subjects may require 240 credits if you choose a 120 credit thesis
Advanced entry: Those who have already completed specified qualifications in advance of the minimum entry requirements may be able to complete this degree by undertaking a 120 credit thesis.
See ‘Courses for this programme’ below for schedules of courses.
| 60 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 151708 | Nutritional Research Methods | 15 |
| 151709 | Biometrics for the Animal and Nutritional Sciences | 15 |
| 151718 | Advanced Topics in Macronutrient Nutrition | 15 |
| 151719 | Advanced Topics in Micronutrient Nutrition | 15 |
| 151704 | Human Nutrition | 15 |
| 151707 | Food Technology/Nutrition Interface | 15 |
| 151712 | Special Topic | 15 |
| 151713 | Special Topic | 30 |
| 151715 | Advanced Sports Nutrition | 15 |
| 151716 | Advanced Nutrition and Disease | 15 |
| 151717 | Selected Topics in Public Health Nutrition | 15 |
| At least 90 credits from | ||
|---|---|---|
| 151871 | Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 | 45 |
| 151872 | Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 | 45 |
| 151875 | Thesis | 90 |
| 151897 | Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 | 60 |
| 151898 | Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 | 60 |
| 151899 | Thesis | 120 |
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
The Master of Science (Human Nutrition) 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.
For progression to Part Two of the Master of Science, a B grade average is needed for the Part One courses.
There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the programme if you wish to continue your studies.
Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with a class of Honours, Distinction or Merit.
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.
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
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 will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
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 programme 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 programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.