MSc Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health
- MSc
Overview
This programme was one of the first to recognise the need for specialisation in the three intertwined disciplines of nutrition, physical activity, and public health to tackle non-communicable diseases and promote population health.
This established programme will help you critically examine key interactions at the interface of epidemiology, behaviour change and policy-relevant research in these connected fields, and will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the evidence around the role of nutrition and physical activity in public health; the factors that influence people's physical activity and eating behaviours; and how to develop and evaluate nutrition and physical activity interventions.
Bristol is ranked 18th in the world for Social Policy (QS World Rankings by Subject 2026). You will be taught by academics who are at the forefront of real-world research and whose knowledge is grounded in applied situations. Recent research collaborations have been with:
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
- World Obesity Federation
- National Health Service
- National governments in the West Pacific Region.
You will develop skills in research, policy and practice, as well as other transferrable skills in critical thinking and report writing in these connected fields. The development of these skills is vital in addressing genuine issues of concern to policymakers and practitioners nationally and globally.
You will learn to address questions such as:
- What are the policy implications of this topic?
- What research design will answer this question?
- What intervention needs to happen?
- How will it be evaluated?
The complex and inter-disciplinary nature of these issues means the skills developed during this programme are useful in a wide range of career paths and in roles where you may be required to pitch your future projects to policymakers, commissioners, and funders.
The programme will suit graduates or professionals (with or without directly relevant experience or qualifications) who are interested in pursuing a career in nutrition, physical activity, public health or relevant fields.
The programme is delivered over one year full-time or two years part-time. It's also available as an intercalated degree for current undergraduate medicine, dentistry or veterinary students from the University of Bristol or other universities. Find out more about our intercalated degrees and eligibility criteria.
Learn about our pioneering research with the World Health Organisation to tackle all forms of malnutrition in China.
Hear from our students about the MSc Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health.
Programme structure
All units are compulsory and there are no formal examinations. Work is assessed through written assignments, presentations, portfolios, infographics, or research proposals. During the final term, you will complete an original research investigation and dissertation (up to 5,000 words), in the form of an academic paper for a scientific journal on an approved nutrition or physical activity and public health-based topic. We encourage our students to publish their dissertation to enhance their employability skills, and we have successfully done so in the past.
Some previous innovative and impactful dissertations that have been published in international, peer-reviewed academic journals include:
- "Virtual Surf Booth": Assessment of a Novel Tool and Data Collection Process to Measure the Impact of a 6-Week Surf Programme on Mental Wellbeing
- Nutritional value of foods sold in vending machines in a UK University: formative research to inform an environmental intervention
- Barriers and facilitators to engaging in a University-based exercise programme delivered to students experiencing mental health difficulties: A pilot study
- Barriers to and potential solutions for implementing nutrition-related health programmes for Rohingya Refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
- Lived Experiences of Food Insecurity in the UK from the perspectives of Users and Volunteers in Community-Based Food Aid/Food Banks.
Part-time students will be given guidance about which units to complete in each year of study.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content of our MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health.
Entry requirements
You will typically need a strong second-class honours degree (55% or higher) or an international equivalent in any subject.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant postgraduate qualification/s. Please upload your postgraduate degree documents and include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £18,200 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £9,100 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £32,700 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
International scholars from Chevening, Commonwealth, Fulbright and Think Big are welcome to apply for this MSc programme.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
This programme is designed for students who want to pursue careers in nutrition and physical activity-related research, public health policy, public health consultancy, or public health advocacy and legislation, or in implementing and evaluating programmes that promote health.
Our graduates go on to shape the future of public health - leading research, informing regional and national policy, and designing programmes that improve population health in the UK and internationally.
Common career paths include:
- the public sector (including Southeast Asian Regional governing bodies, e.g., ASEAN Secretariat, European Commission, local authorities, international ministries of health, county health departments, Public Health Wales and the National Health Service, Sport England)
- non-governmental organisations (including Macmillan Cancer Support and public health agencies, e.g., GCI Health)
- the private sector (including the food industry and corporate wellness organisations).
- Universities, research institutes and academia.
The programme also has a professional development focus and can enhance the practice and delivery of working professionals, such as dietitians and medical practitioners, physiotherapists, nurses, kinesiologists, physical trainers or teachers. Some of our graduates continue their studies towards a PhD degree.
The University of Bristol has a dedicated Careers Service to support you in exploring your career options throughout your time with us.
You will also receive career support to help you plan your next steps with confidence. We host a dedicated International Careers Day, bringing together national and international MSc graduates who share their experiences, career journeys and practical advice to help current students explore the wide range of opportunities available to you after you graduate.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk