University College London (UCL)
Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
This MSc program focuses on understanding eating disorders and clinical nutrition, helping students develop essential skills for managing and treating these complex conditions. It covers the biological, psychological, and social factors involved in eating disorders, giving students a well-rounded view of the issues. The curriculum includes core modules in nutrition, psychology, and clinical practice, along with optional courses that let students explore specific areas of interest. Throughout the course, students gain hands-on experience through supervised placements, preparing them to work effectively in clinical settings or research.
Students will learn about methods for assessing nutritional status and designing treatment plans tailored to individual needs. The program emphasizes evidence-based approaches, ensuring graduates are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to support recovery. It also highlights the importance of communication and teamwork in a healthcare environment. By the end of the course, students should be ready to contribute to improving patient care or to pursue further research in eating disorders and nutrition. The program aims to foster compassionate and competent professionals in a field that often requires nuanced understanding and sensitivity.
What this course will give you
This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.
- The field of eating disorders is rapidly developing in terms of service provision and research. You are joining the only comprehensive graduate programme available in the field, meeting an important clinical and academic need.
- Whether you are a psychiatrist, dietitian, nurse, or researcher, the course provides a solid grounding in clinical nutrition and information on all aspects of eating disorders.
- The programme includes a three-day placement at an eating disorders service.
- The programme fulfils criteria for membership of the Association for Nutrition. Hence, it gives a broad training in nutrition generally, as well as training in eating disorders.
- You will be in a good position to apply for a PhD or the clinical training programmes you need to become a fully qualified clinical psychologist, dietician, etc.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
We use a range of methods, including lectures, online video materials, tutorials to address problem-based activities, practical sessions in a laboratory setting, and data analysis sessions.
Our teaching of human nutrition includes practical approaches, research methods and nutrition in the general population and in disease states.
Eating disorders are presented using different teaching methods, with an extensive series of seminars, tutorials, and clinical observation sessions at eating disorder treatment centres.
Assessment is through examination, presentations, essays, practical reports, and the dissertation. The eating disorder modules are assessed by multiple-choice and short answer question papers, which are currently completed online. These short-answer questions are problem-based, often with a clinical scenario. The ‘Eating Disorders: Management’ module is part-assessed by a poster presentation.
The research project must be on a subject relevant to eating disorders. This can be based on collection of new data, analysis of existing data, or a systematic or narrative review of the literature. This is assessed by two independent markers.
The course has three eating disorder modules and six nutrition modules.
Teaching is around 15 hours per week, plus tutorials, which is around 30-35% of your total time commitment. Students usually attend campus for two days each week during term time – mainly Wednesdays and Fridays. There are also dissertation-related lectures and tutorials that take place on Mondays, with tutorials mostly hosted on Teams. There is a 3-day taster observational placement that is held in Term 2 or 3, depending on clinical service availability.
To complete the programme successfully, you will also need to dedicate an average of 20-25 hours per week to independent study across the year. This might include work on assignments, group tasks, and targeted reading. You will work on the dissertation project full-time over the summer.
Modules
Full-time
In the first term, you will study the fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism, clinical science, and explore the relationship between lifestyle and body composition. You also begin your introduction to the theory and skills required for the successful completion of a research project.
In the second term, you will explore the impact of human nutrition on the body and the effects of disease, from malnutrition to eating disorders. You will also consider therapy and investigate routes for treatment.
The third term is reserved for the research project.
Part-time
Part-time students complete the programme in two years. Taught modules are equally split between both years. Students complete the research project at the end of the second year, but we advise you to complete background reading in the first year.
Compulsory modules
- Fundamentals of Nutrition and Metabolism
- Disease and Disordered Eating
- Therapeutic Aspects of Nutrition
- Practical Nutritional Assessment
- Malnutrition in the Community
- Experimental Design and Research Methods in Nutrition
- Eating Disorders: Clinical Science
- Eating Disorders: Management
- Research Project (Eating Disorders & Clinical Nutrition)
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition.
Placement
Visits to clinics and the hospital allow students to see first-hand how treatment is conducted, in addition to community nutrition providers working with groups that have very different requirements.
As this involves working with the public, you will be subject to screening by UCL Occupational Health and through the Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to determine your suitability for the course.
Following the requirements of the NHS trust, we will only consider applications from individuals who can demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The foundation of your career
Eating disorder services are continuing to develop in all parts of the country, providing substantial opportunities for employment in this burgeoning field. New developments in the aetiology and treatment of eating disorders make this a growing area for research.
Graduates of this programme now work on PhD programmes and as clinical psychologists, medical school students, researchers, psychiatrists, dietitians and occupational therapists.
According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), 93% of MSc Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition graduates were in work (84%) or further study (9%), with a majority undertaking highly skilled work.
Employability
This degree can lead to a diverse range of careers. It offers graduates a significant advantage when applying for clinical or positions in eating disorders or clinical nutrition services, or departments where eating disorder or nutrition research is undertaken. It is particularly relevant for those wishing to apply for senior positions in these units or hoping to pursue a doctorate in the field of eating disorders.
Our graduates can feel confident that they have understood some of the most important theoretical, scientific, and clinical concepts and ideas that underpin the field of eating disorders and clinical nutrition. You emerge with the knowledge and skills to stay up to date with future developments, and to contribute to advancements in the field through clinical and scientific research and innovation.
According to the HESA survey, our graduates have gone on to work for a range of employers. These include:
- Healthcare providers, including NHS Trusts across England, and the Priory Group.
- Specialist organisations such as Orri (eating disorder treatment clinic) and Oviva (lifestyle behaviour change)
- Universities.
- Government ministries.
- Research centres such as the Dasman Diabetes Institute.
- Nutritional supplement brands, such as Revive Active.
- Consultancy groups involved in medical strategy, such as Lumanity.
Their roles include health and therapy professionals, psychologists, occupational therapists, specialist medical practitioners and biological scientists. Some are teaching or lecturing at higher education institutions, while some have taken a more business-oriented route, as project managers or business research and consultancy.
All UCL students are supported by the UCL Careers Service, as well as the department's own specialist Careers Tutor.
Networking
There are regular networking opportunities, including events where you can hear from expert speakers. We encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending and participating at conferences.
Accreditation
This MSc is registered with the Association for Nutrition, a professional body that holds the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN), a competency-based register of nutritionists. Graduates of this programme will be eligible to apply for direct entry to the UKVRN as Registered Associate Nutritionists. As part of this accreditation, students must pass all core-competency modules. If a student fails a module, they will be able to graduate (in compliance with UCL policy) with an alternative MSc degree title, however this will not be accredited.