Course Overview

About This Course

As a nutritionist you will create opportunities for people to learn about food and nutrition, design food products to support a healthy diet, influence food systems to foster sustainability, and advocate for a safe and equitable food supply across the globe. You will understand the science behind food and nutrition, including human physiology and biochemistry and food and culinary nutrition science. The focus on food and nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention for individuals, communities and populations, particularly at-risk groups, prepares you for emerging careers in the food and nutrition industries.

The degree totals 240 credit points. You can complete it without a major - 180 credit points of specified units, 20 credit points of Core Curriculum units and 40 credit points of minor or elective units - or with a Culinary Nutrition or Food Science major worth 80 credit points. Culinary Nutrition looks at the origins and composition of food and how composition is affected by culinary processes, in units such as Advanced Culinary Nutrition Science and Foods for Special Diets. Food Science runs from the organic chemistry of food macromolecules to how food is transformed for consumers, and includes two industry placements of 50 and 90 hours.

Work placement units offer 50 to 140 hours across the food industry, culinary nutrition, sports nutrition, and community and public health, in settings such as sporting clubs, food companies, community health centres, local government and schools. Community engagement is embedded in a public health unit, with options in Rome or ACU's Bali program. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a nutritionist with the Nutrition Society of Australia.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

Open in Maps ↗

Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $10,898

Duration

3 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning August 2027 (Applications open April 2027)

Study Mode

Full-time or part-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent:
- New South Wales: Assumed Knowledge - English Standard (Band 2) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)
- Victoria: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
Indicative ATAR: 58.50 (Blacktown), 58.50 (Melbourne), 58.50 (North Sydney)
Applicants with higher education study must still meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites. Applicants who have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above are assigned a new selection rank reflecting their study level, duration and grade point average, and prior study or relevant work experience may attract credit or recognition of prior learning.
ACU also assesses applicants on recent secondary education, prior VET study, and work and life experience.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

International students

International applicants need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate. They must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including the English Language Proficiency requirements.
International students completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia), an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 must apply for admission through their local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and are assessed on their performance in those studies, that is on their ATAR or equivalent.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be qualified to work in:
• Food and nutrition research
• Food and nutrition education
• Food and nutrition communication
• Food and nutrition advice
• Food product design
• Food science and technology
• Food and nutrition policy
• Recipe tester

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Dietitians Australia (DA)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Dietitians Australia

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units81 units

BIOL125

Human Biology 1

BIOL126

Human Biology 2

BIOL234

Nutritional Physiology

BMSC209

Pathophysiology

CHEM113

Essential Ideas in Chemistry

CHEM206

Advanced Metabolic Biochemistry

CHEM207

Foundations of Biochemistry

PUBH102

Foundations of Health Promotion

PUBH103

Epidemiology

PUBH202

Public Health Research Methods

NUTR101

Introduction to Nutrition

NUTR102

Culinary Nutrition Science

NUTR202

Lifespan Nutrition

NUTR302

Diet, Health and Disease

NUTR303

Food Science in Practice

NUTR304

Food Product Design and Development

NUTR305

Community and Public Health Nutrition

NUTR311

Food, Society, and the Environment

BIOL125

Human Biology 1

BIOL126

Human Biology 2

BIOL234

Nutritional Physiology

BMSC209

Pathophysiology

CHEM206

Advanced Metabolic Biochemistry

CHEM207

Foundations of Biochemistry

PUBH102

Foundations of Health Promotion

PUBH103

Epidemiology

PUBH202

Public Health Research Methods

NUTR101

Introduction to Nutrition

NUTR202

Lifespan Nutrition

NUTR302

Diet, Health and Disease

NUTR305

Community and Public Health Nutrition

NUTR311

Food, Society, and the Environment

PHCC102

Being Human

PHCC104

Ethics and the Good Life

PHCC106

Making Sense: Practical Reasoning for Life and Career

THCC100

Revolutionary Values: Christianity in History

THCC101

People Matter: Catholic Social Thought

TPCC100

Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema

PHCC201

The Origins of the Sciences and Contemporary Challenges

THCC200

Justice in the World: Catholic Social Ethics in Global Perspective

THCC202

Sacred Land: Australian Indigenous Spiritualities and Catholic Thought

TPCC201

Ecology and Justice

TPCC202

Conflict, Violence and Peace-making

EXSC

Exercise Science

SPNT

Sports Nutrition

COMH

Communication in Health

HSCF

Health Science Foundations

INAU

Indigenous Australia

INDE

International Development

PSYF

Psychology Fundamentals

CNTR

Culinary Nutrition

FSCI

Food Science

BIOL205

Pharmacology 1

BIOL206

Human Genetics

BMSC110

Communicating Ideas in Science

BMSC207

Microbiology and Immunology

COMM102

Introduction to Communication

COMM105

Social Media

DESN244

Design for Social Media

COMM222

Communication in a Global Society

COMM314

Workplace Communication

HLSC120

Indigenous Health and Culture

HLSC220

Health Care Ethics

PSYC100

Foundations of Psychology

PSYC101

Applications of Psychology

PSYC108

Psychological Practice: Theory and Techniques

PSYC212

Abnormal Psychology

BUSN105

Financial Literacy

BUSN113

Managing People and Organisations

BUSN114

Marketing Essentials

ENTR201

Entrepreneurial Mindset

ENTR301

Managing Entrepreneurship and Innovation

MKTG209

Digital Marketing: The Connected Space

NUTR404

Advanced Culinary Nutrition Science

NUTR405

Foods for Special Diets

NUTR308

Food and Culture Study Tour

NUTR309

Work Placement 1

NUTR310

Work Placement 2

NUTR311

Food, Society, and the Environment

EXSC316

Nutrition for Sports Performance

SOCS243

Global Health

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total cost of the Bachelor of Nutrition Science for international students?

The estimated total course cost for the Bachelor of Nutrition Science at Australian Catholic University is AU$100,080 in tuition fees, based on ACU's indicative first-year fee of AU$33,360 across the three years of the course, with no additional non-tuition fees.

How long does the Bachelor of Nutrition Science take to complete?

The Bachelor of Nutrition Science has a duration of 156 weeks, which is approximately three years of full-time study.

Does the Bachelor of Nutrition Science include a work placement component?

Yes, the Bachelor of Nutrition Science includes a work component of 8 hours per week over 10 weeks, totalling 80 hours of practical work experience.

Where can I study the Bachelor of Nutrition Science at Australian Catholic University?

The Bachelor of Nutrition Science is available at three ACU campuses: the Blacktown CBD Campus in NSW, the North Sydney Campus in NSW, and the Melbourne Campus in VIC.

Is the Bachelor of Nutrition Science eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

The Bachelor of Nutrition Science (CRICOS Code: 094690B) is a Skills Level 1 qualification with a duration of 156 weeks, and its narrow field of education is Nutrition and Dietetics (069901). Whether it qualifies for extended Post-Study Work Rights depends on annual review criteria including active enrolments and alignment with the Skills Level 1 priority list. For more information, contact ESOS-PolicyTeam@education.gov.au.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $58,000 to $68,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $68,000 to $85,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $85,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)Clinical Dietitian (Hospital / Acute Care)Community Health DietitianPublic Health NutritionistPaediatric Dietitian

Key Skills

Nutritional assessment and dietary analysisMedical nutrition therapy and clinical dieteticsMeal planning and therapeutic diet prescriptionEvidence-based practice and critical appraisal of nutrition researchPatient counselling and behaviour change communication

Full Course Overview

💬

Need guidance?

Free advisor support

Our advisors help international students choose the right course and navigate visa pathways — at no cost.

Promote your Institution with Find the Courses

Promote your Institution with Find the Courses

Bachelor of Nutrition Science

About This Course

Available Locations

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Hear From the Students