Course Overview
Course summary
The amazing feats of world-class athletes have brought the issues of performance into the public eye, and sports nutrition is now recognised as a key part of supporting training and competition at all levels of participation.
Our Sport and Exercise Nutrition MSc offers you the chance to study the science behind sports nutrition and its applications for both the 'weekend warrior' and the elite athlete. It also puts the controversies surrounding the use of supplements under scientific scrutiny, looking at the key evidence for and against performance benefits.
The aim of the course is to produce sports nutritionists who are strongly focused on the science behind the subject, but who also have some experience of the practicalities of delivering sound guidance to individuals and teams who are looking to use nutrition as part of their training programmes. To this end, a number of guest lecturers contribute their expertise in key related areas.
The course covers the key principles of sports nutrition and exercise physiology, including the latest research, and aims to develop your ability to apply critical awareness to topics across the broad remit of sports nutrition, from measurement of exercise performance to the assessment of mental performance. The modules you'll study are designed to underpin the subject and create a sound base for the development of ideas for your research project, which offers you a wide degree of flexibility to pursue your personal interests. You can study the course full-time over one year, or in part-time mode over a varying time, up to five years.
Top reasons to study with us
- Learn in the heart of London – Studying at our Cavendish Campus in central London, you'll be part of a diverse, global community
- Informed by practice, inspired by research – Our established course reflects both industry standards for sport and exercise nutrition and cutting-edge research
- Prepare for a variety of careers – On graduation, your career choices can include options from leading sports nutrition programmes for teams and elite athletes, involvement in physical activity initiatives, to employment in national governing bodies and organisations
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.
Core modules
You will look at nutritional needs of specific athletic populations, the impact of extremes of environment, and possible contributions of diet and ergogenic aids. You will learn how to translate research to practice, and consider the practical application of nutrition in the field.
You will examine the range of techniques used in assessing health and fitness, from general population up to elite performers, and the appropriate evaluation of results.
This module aims to develop critical understanding of the scientific basis of nutritional requirements and the factors that influence them.
This module examines the role of nutrition in enhancing exercise and sports performance, including understanding of nutritional ergogenic aids and their regulation.
You will study the theory and practice of methods of assessing nutritional status, at individual, group and population levels.
The module aim is to prepare students for the professional demands they will be required to meet once practicing in a consultancy or team environment. This includes assessing and analysing, communication skills, and models for changes, compliance, and follow up that are needed and can significantly impact the outcome of nutritional interventions either positively or negatively, as well as ethics, governance, professional conducts and business skills.
This module ensures that basic methodology, design study, data handling and statistics are approached correctly in formulating the research project.
Your project should be an original study reflecting your expertise or interest, supervised by a research-active member of staff, requiring a high level of scientific rigour and originality, and culminating in your project dissertation.
Professional recognition
The course is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN). This allows students to take the title Associate Nutritionist, which is the first step on the professional recognition and registration ladder.
The course is also accredited by the Sport and Exercise Nutrition register (SENr) and has received the Recognition Award of the International Society for Sports Nutrition (ISSN). Students are encouraged to take the Certification of the ISSN (CISSN) exam towards the end of their period of study.
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)
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Careers
As a qualified sport and exercise nutritionist, you can find employment in a number of areas, ranging from research and public health nutrition to performance training. Many eventually become self-employed and create their own consultancy companies, which can be very successful. Our course is designed to make transition into any of these areas as smooth and effective as possible.
Graduate success
Our graduates have gone on to positions including teaching in higher education, athlete support within the English Institute of Sport, and PhD research.
Enhance your knowledge and skills
Our course is structured to develop your problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and enable you to graduate as a confident and effective science communicator.
Employers around the world
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.
Course Leaders
I'm a strong believer in research-engaged teaching and therefore embed current research, discoveries, and techniques into this programme's day-to-day activities.
Dr Bradley Elliott
Senior Lecturer in Physiology
Bradley studied for a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Auckland, New Zealand before completing a Master's of Science (Experimental Medicine) at Université Laval, Canada. He completed his doctorate on human and applied physiology here at the University of Westminster, examining myostatin regulation and muscle atrophy mechanisms during acute hypoxic insult.
Bradley teaches human physiology, scientific communication, and research methodologies across undergraduate and graduate programmes, as well as maintaining an active research programme into muscle atrophy, frailty, and ageing. He is course leader of the Sport and Exercise Nutrition MSc and Sport and Exercise Nutrition MSci courses.
See full profileSee full profile of Dr Bradley ElliottDr Sinead Roberts
Lecturer
Dr Sinead Roberts is a SENr registered performance nutritionist, working with a range of recreational and elite athletes. She studied for a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Nottingham, before completing her doctorate at the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology in London, looking at the regulation of cell metabolism and growth.
Sinead teaches advanced performance nutrition, metabolism of nutrition and exercise, exercise physiology, and practitioner skills across a range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. Her research comprises both practitioner elements focussed on nutrition behaviours and performance in athletes, and the acute physiological and cellular responses to functional training. She is course leader of the Sport and Exercise Nutrition MSc, together with Brad.
See full profileSee full profile of Dr Sinead RobertsWe are quite literally what we eat; through the dietary and supplement recommendations we make to athletes we have the potential to help them maximise their performance - in sport and life. This is a field where you combine a knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, and psychology with innovation, problem solving and an element of artistry. And it is ever evolving ... you will never be bored!
Course Team
Why study this course?
Designed for industry
On graduation, you're eligible for the title of Associate Nutritionist. You'll also have the opportunity to sit the International Society of Sports Nutrition (CISSN) exam at a discounted rate.
Put science into practice
You'll study the science behind sports nutrition as well as learning the skills you'll need for delivering practical guidance to participants in a range of sports and exercise.
Fantastic central London location
You'll be based at our Cavendish Campus in the heart of multicultural central London, with easy access to London's huge range of sporting, scientific and cultural resources.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a life sciences subject with a strong element of nutrition and/or physiology, but if you are a graduate in another discipline there is an opportunity to gain entry via successful completion of the Essentials of Nutrition course.
If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.
Personal statement requirements
In your personal statement, please outline:
- What Sport and Exercise Nutrition means to you
- Why you want to study at the University of Westminster
- How this course aligns with your future goals and aspirations
Interview guidance
Applicants may be contacted for interview by academic staff. Interviews will be held via phone call or Teams meeting.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for application
A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a life sciences subject with a strong element of nutrition and/or physiology, but if you are a graduate in another discipline there is an opportunity to gain entry via successful completion of the Essentials of Nutrition course.
If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.
Personal statement requirements
In your personal statement, please outline:
- What Sport and Exercise Nutrition means to you
- Why you want to study at the University of Westminster
- How this course aligns with your future goals and aspirations
Interview guidance
Applicants may be contacted for interview by academic staff. Interviews will be held via phone call or Teams meeting.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for application
More information
Studying the Sport and Exercise Nutrition MSc at Westminster
What our students say
Richie Barclay
Sports and Exercise Nutrition MSc
My time at the University was extremely valuable – without this course and first-hand knowledge from experts in the field, I wouldn't be in the position that I'm in now, where I'm completing a PhD and running my own sports nutrition consultancy.
Harry Mugford
Sports and Exercise Nutrition MSc
One of the best things about this course is the passion the lecturers have for the subjects they lecture on – which rubs off on us too! The course could not have been a better experience for me thanks to them. I've also found professional accreditation profoundly important in the health and fitness industry. Becoming CISSN accredited and becoming an Associate for Nutrition have opened up exciting additional job opportunities for me – currently I'm working in a nutrition and physiology lab.
Learn new skills
Volunteer and gain new skills
We offer a number of different volunteering opportunities for you to learn new skills, create connections, and make a difference in the community.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your start-up projects.
Get extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £950 (Price per 20-credit module)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
Find out more about postgraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £1,600 (Price per 20-credit module)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There are a number of funding schemes available to help you fund your studies with us.
Find out more about funding for international students.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you’ll be taught
Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into two broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you’ll be assessed
Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into three broad categories:
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
- Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2022/23
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring,
Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.
For more details, visit our Cavendish Campus page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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