Australian residents
International students
Intakes: 

2023: February, May

Duration: 
3 years
Location: 
Footscray Park
Fees: 

2023: A$15,800*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
Apply

Overview

Contribute to a more equitable world through better food production and supply, with a Bachelor of Human Nutrition.

This health-focused degree gives you a solid foundation in nutrition, food, and related science subjects.

The Bachelor of Human Nutrition commences with a broad discipline base of 8 core units in nutrition, food and related sciences. In your second and third year you'll progress to more targeted study, acquiring further specialist knowledge and skills, by choosing a specialisation from the following:

  • Biomedical Nutrition (minor)
  • Public Health Nutrition (minor)
  • Exercise and Nutrition (minor).

This will allow you to broaden and enrich your learning, diversifying employment opportunities, and enabling you to successfully compete in professional settings within the community nutrition and public health sector and/or pursue post-graduate study.

We offer extensive practical and industry experience. You'll complete a workplace or research-based project in your final year.

You'll also take part in:

  • industry visits
  • laboratory exercises
  • computer simulations
  • case studies
  • interaction with community nutrition initiatives
  • industry-based projects.

Choose a career in the diverse food and nutrition industries, or undertake post-graduate study to specialise further:

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Course e-Brochure

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Careers in human nutrition

Graduates are able to seek employment in areas such as, but not limited to, community nutrition, and the public health industry.

You will also have the opportunity to continue your studies through completion of an Honours, Masters or PhD research degree in an area of human nutrition, food science, or sports nutrition.

If you want to become an Accredited Practising Dietitian, you must complete a post-graduate program accredited by Dietitians Australia; this provides eligibility to apply for membership of the APD program. While entry requirements into accredited programs may vary between different institutions, you should complete at least the minor in Biomedical Nutrition in addition to your core studies.

Salaries

Use Labour Market Insights to find average salaries in Australia for various professions:

Starting salaries for graduates may be different.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Human Nutrition, students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

  • 48 credit points of First Year core studies;
  • 144 credit points of Professional core studies, and;
  • 96 credit points Minor studies (2 x minors).

College Core Units

Professional Core Units

Minors

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe and integrate the science underpinning food and nutrition across populations and food systems;  
  2. Critically review, analyse and synthesise current scientific literature related to food, nutrition and health using a wide evidence base;  
  3. Evaluate evidence to investigate and propose solutions to contemporary, emerging and future-oriented food and nutrition issues;  
  4. Effectively communicate food and nutritional science at an appropriate level with both specialist and non-specialist individuals and groups; using written, oral and technology-based techniques appropriately;  
  5. Contextualise the role of culture, values, ethics and economic, social, regulatory and environmental factors in developing solutions to food and nutrition problems; and  
  6. Apply a broad knowledge base and solid foundations in scientific design and experimental methods to analyse predictable, unpredictable and sometimes complex problems, for the development of more equitable and sustainable global nutrition and food systems.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
PLUS:
A study score of at least 20 in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Health & Human Development, Mathematics (any) or Physical Education.
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Additional information

All students will be required to obtain a 'Working With Children Check' prior to commencing the 2nd year of the course.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Foundations at VU JYAC

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU (Extended) JQAH

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.

Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.

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If you have questions, please get in touch:

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.