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University of Tasmania

  • 17% international / 83% domestic

Bachelor of Nutrition Science

  • Bachelor

Nutritionists provide advice on food and its impact on health, helping improve community wellbeing on everything from educational outcomes to life expectancy. Employed across community healthcare settings, they have the expertise to provide evidence-based consultancy services.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
3 - 7 years full-time
Course Code
53H, 098361J
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Feb
International Fees
$34,450 per year / $107,009 total

About this course

Nutritionists provide advice on food and its impact on health, helping improve community wellbeing on everything from educational outcomes to life expectancy. Employed across community healthcare settings, they have the expertise to provide evidence-based consultancy services.

By studying a Bachelor of Nutrition Science, you'll develop the skills to provide evidence-based recommendations, as well as work on policy and research to improve health outcomes.

You'll learn from experienced NGO and industry partners, including Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania, TasCOSS, Tasmanian School Canteens Association, and more. To make sure you graduate job-ready, you'll undertake a minimum of 80 hours professional experience placement as part of a team with our industry partners. Here, you'll apply your nutrition and healthy eating knowledge, education program planning, and community engagement skills, in real-world scenarios, including in rural and remote community settings.

Studying Nutrition Science will prepare you for a variety of careers, including as a nutritionist, in health promotion and education, or coordinating community food solutions. As a graduate of this degree, you may be eligible for registration with the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) as an Associate Nutritionist (ANutr).

Dietetic Pathway

If you are interested in working with individuals or larger populations, this major will help you understand why and how the foods we eat impact on our health and wellbeing. Along with foundation nutrition science units, this major prepares you to understand the reasons why many health conditions have poor eating practices at their core and provides an evidence-base for selecting a healthy diet for preventing chronic disease.

This major will allow you to study units which align to the general prerequisite requirements for applying to postgraduate programs including a Master of Dietetics or a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics in Australia (you should refer to individual requirements for each program for specific details).

Public Health Nutrition

This major focuses on learning the practical skills used in the prevention of diet-related chronic diseases and the promotion of optimal nutrition and health in communities and populations. You will learn skills to plan and evaluate public health interventions, and create community-based, sustainable, healthy, and equitable food systems.

Along with studying foundation nutrition science units, this major will prepare you to develop localised food solutions that address the specific needs of local communities, in collaboration with key community stakeholders. You will also learn the principles of social justice and community development, so you can become an advocate for food systems and food security, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.

This major provides a pathway to the Master of Public Health at the University of Tasmania, and a career in public health and health advocacy, working with government, non-government organisations, industry, and community groups.

Entry requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you're not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study.

Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. In 2023, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 66.10. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.

Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your individual subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.

To be eligible for an offer, you must also meet the subject prerequisites listed below.

To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed one of the following:

  • Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetics Specialisation),
  • Certificate IV in Food Science and Technology,
  • Certificate IV in Fitness,
  • Certificate IV in Leisure and Health,
  • Certificate IV in Ageing Support,
  • Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques,
  • Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice,
  • Certificate IV in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support,
  • Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy

You must also meet the subject prerequisites listed below.

To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:

  • Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points). If an applicant has failed any units the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made

You must also meet the subject prerequisites listed below.

This course does not admit students on the basis of work or life experience. You can enquire online for advice on pathways or alternative course options.

These prerequisites apply to students from all educational backgrounds.

To be an eligible for an offer, you must have studies or experience equivalent to a satisfactory achievement in one of the following Tasmanian Senior Secondary subjects:

  • General Mathematics (MTG315120) (or higher)

You can enquire online for information on interstate and international equivalents to the Tasmanian senior secondary subjects above. If you have not met this prerequisite you will need to complete a UTAS foundation unit before you start your course.

If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.

We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.

This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.

All international students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, University General Entry Requirements and any course specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects, if applicable.

This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.5, with no individual band less than 6.0, or a PTE Academic score of 58, with no score lower than 50 or equivalent.

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a 12th year of education in Australia.

Please review the equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. The ATAR information for this course is located in the "For Domestic Students" section of the entry requirements on this page.

You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:

  • Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetics Specialisation),
  • Certificate IV in Food Science and Technology,
  • Certificate IV in Fitness,
  • Certificate IV in Leisure and Health,
  • Certificate IV in Ageing Support,
  • Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques,
  • Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice,
  • Certificate IV in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support,
  • Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy
  • Complete or incomplete (minimum 25 credit points) of previous tertiary study at Bachelor level or higher

If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.

The following course specific requirements must be met to be eligible to study this degree.

To be an eligible for an offer, you must have studies or experience equivalent to a satisfactory achievement in the following Tasmanian Senior Secondary subjects:

  • Mathematics General (MTG315115) or equivalent

If you have not met a required pre-requisite, you will need to complete a University of Tasmania Foundation Studies Program before you start your course.

This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.

Study locations

Launceston

What you will learn

  • 1 Integrate and apply the principles and practices of health, food and nutrition to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations.
  • 2 Independently source, synthesise, and critically analyse evidence-based research, and apply practical solutions to a range of complex nutrition and health issues.
  • 3 Demonstrate academic oral and written communication skills to translate and disseminate evidence-based health-related food and nutrition information to diverse audiences.
  • 4 Engage in ethical and professional practice, both independently and as a team member.
  • Career pathways

    On graduation, you'll be ready to undertake an exciting career in the health sector or food industry. Your career could range from working alongside professional food science and nutrition industries, government and regulatory agencies, or delivering health and wellbeing initiatives within the community.

    In addition to your technical knowledge and skills, you will also be equipped with strong, transferable soft-skills and be supported by your studies, no matter where your career takes you.

    Graduates of the Bachelor of Nutrition Science will be well prepared for careers requiring knowledge of nutrition and health, and will be well suited to careers in areas including

    • Health educator or counsellor
    • Health promotion and communication officer
    • Case manager
    • Health service planning
    • Community engagement
    • Community development
    • Food policy
    • Consumer education and awareness campaigns
    • Private practice
    • Nutrition counselling
    • Community nutrition

    Postgraduate study

    This course will help you meet the prerequisite requirement of postgraduate courses such as a Master of Dietetics, Master of Nutrition and Dietetics, and a Master of Public Health.

    Course structure

    The Bachelor of Nutrition Science requires the completion of 300 credit points comprising:

    • 100 credit points of core units
    • 100 credit point major
    • 100 credit points of electives units

    Note that the 100 credit points of elective units can be used in two quite different ways, the choice is yours:

    • Study 100 credit points of elective units - you can choose to enrol in any unit available as an elective (prerequisites do sometimes apply - you will have to meet them if they exist)

    or

    • Study a second 100 credit point major - this will print on your transcript. You can choose to do a second of the majors listed below, a major from another area, or study our Sustainability major. The University is deeply committed to building sustainable futures and that is why we've made the Sustainability major readily available in most courses; for details see the Bachelor of Science. To do a second major please contact Uconnect.

    Credit for prior study or work

    Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.

    Graduate outcomes

    Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Health Services & Support courses at University of Tasmania.
    82.8%
    Overall satisfaction
    84.3%
    Skill scale
    66.7%
    Teaching scale
    83.8%
    Employed full-time
    $86.5k
    Average salary