Course Summary
This Masters in Public Health Nutrition aims to support the development of knowledge, skills and competencies, specific to the practice of Public Health Nutrition. In addition, leadership styles, strategies, capabilities and competencies will be examined, placing the graduate in a position to lead teams and to advocate for change within the area. Learners will also undertake and engage with a research project. This combined discipline-specific and research programme model of learning will instil skills of researching relevant public health nutrition issues in Ireland and contribute to local and national evidence bases.
Programme features:
- Live lectures delivered in the evenings and recordings provided.
- Up to date digital technology to enhance learning.
- Flexible learning facilitated through part-time fully online mode of study.
- Course content covers current global public health nutrition priorities.
- The research project component is tailored to suit the student’s interests.
Key Course Information
The Master of Public Health Nutrition degree offers students the opportunity to develop expertise in the foundations of practice in population and public health nutrition and to develop essential leadership, communication and professional practice skills, placing graduates in a position to play a pivotal role in the future of Public Health Nutrition. The curriculum provides robust academic and experiential opportunities to address the health of individuals and populations in different settings and countries.
Study hours: Whether you are studying part-time online, blended or full-time online, it is very important that you allocate enough study time to your online course to stay focused, reduce stress and achieve your goals. For part-time online or blended learning, it is recommended that you should try to allow for 5-6 hours per week per 5 credit module to your studies.
Live Lectures: Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday but this may vary depending on the availability of specific lecturers. For the MSc in Public Health Nutrition part-time ,students are expected to attend live lectures 3 evenings per week in semester 1, 2 evenings in semester 2 and 1 evening in semester 3 and 4. If the Live Classroom scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings will be made available through Moodle.
Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025
Entry Requirements
Applicants with a 2.2 Honours award in a relevant discipline may apply. Applicants who do not meet this entry criterion may be considered through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if they have considerable relevant experience in the area. Advice, guidance and support for applicants can be found at www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning
Career Opportunities
With a comprehensive understanding of the foundations of practice in population and public health nutrition and through the development of essential leadership, communication and professional practice skills, graduates will play a pivotal role in the future of Public Health Nutrition. Graduates will be highly competitive in the changing landscape of employment in the area of nutrition. Graduates are well placed for roles within health promotion, government agencies, community health centres, NGO's, the food industry and within national nutrition research groups.
Further Study
Graduates will be well placed to pursue doctorates in the area of Public Health Nutrition and Population Health.
Did you know?
Previous research thesis topics have included the following topic areas:
- Breastfeeding
- Hydration
- Plant based diets
- Diet and cognitive health
- Effectiveness of nutrition education interventions in various settings
Programme Fees
Academic Year 2024/25 Fees
Total Programme Fee: €6,300
To help make the payment of fees more manageable for students who are self-funding their studies, tuition fees can be paid through payment instalment plans at ATU Sligo. For further information on instalment plans, please visit our Fees and Funding webpage.
If you apply and are approved for an online course at ATU Sligo, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure your place. Your deposit will then be credited against the course fees once you are registered as a student. Students at ATU Sligo are also eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate for tuition fees.
For further information and guidance about Fees and Funding for online and part-time courses at ATU Sligo, click here.
If you are seeking to take your exams online, and you meet the eligibility criteria (overseas students and those with extenuating circumstances), an additional examinations fee will apply. For further information, please visit our Examinations webpage.
Course Format
Semester 1
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Public Health Nutrition | 05 |
| Nutrition Assessment Methods | 05 |
| Nutrition Research Methodologies | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Statistical Analysis for Nutritional Research | 05 |
| Public Health Nutrition Interventions | 05 |
| Leadership in Public Health Nutrition | 05 |
Semester 3
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Nutritional Epidemiology | 05 |
Semester 4
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Food and Nutrition Policy | 05 |
| Public Health Nutrition Thesis | 50 |