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156 weeks
Full time or part-time equivalent · 4 credit points per trimester (full-time), typically two trimesters per year
Trimester 1 - March (Burwood, Melbourne) | Trimester 2 - July (Burwood, Melbourne)
Course Overview
More than 7% of the total burden of disease in Australia is due to poor diet.
Study Deakin's Bachelor of Nutrition Science at Australia's #1 university for nutrition research ^ and the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment. Help tackle society's biggest challenges, from disease prevention and lifespan nutrition to obesity, misinformation, and the psychological and social impacts of food. Modelled on commercial laboratories, our food preparation, food analysis and sensory labs provide hands-on, real-world experience to prepare you for the workplace. You'll also complete at least 75 hours of industry placement, developing in-demand practical skills to improve health through food and nutrition. This course can lead to the Master of Dietetics , with around 60% of places typically offered to Deakin graduates who complete the prerequisite elective units. Do you want to have a real impact on population health, and improve the wellbeing of communities? In this course, you will study a broad range of subjects that unlock a variety of career opportunities across health and nutrition industries. Gain a comprehensive understanding of: the role of food in disease prevention nutrition education and research food choice and intake food regulation nutritional physiology lifespan nutrition sustainable food systems the science of food. To add diversity to your degree and expand your career opportunities, you can choose elective units in complementary areas such as food innovation, health promotion, psychology, physical activity and health or exercise science. Undertaking the major in food innovation will prepare you for a career in the food industry, where your knowledge of nutrition and food composition will facilitate the creation and marketing of food products that help to improve health. Other major sequences available include: disability and inclusion; exercise science; family, society and health; health promotion; physical activity and health or psychology. Students can also choose to study the prerequisite subjects for further study in dietetics and apply for the Master of Dietetics upon completion of their bachelor degree. Gain extensive practical experience through the Food and Nutrition Practicum unit in your final year at the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment. This hands-on opportunity allows you to build industry connections and apply your skills alongside established nutritionists or food industry professionals. You can also explore nutrition perceptions and challenges in different cultures by taking your studies abroad, gaining an international perspective. This global experience helps you confidently transition from course to career-both in Australia and around the world. You will graduate with industry knowledge, hands-on experience, and an advanced understanding of the role of nutrition and diet in the health of individuals and the population, allowing you to work in a range of health-related roles ranging from quality assurance and consulting to marketing and education. Visit our nutrition careers page for more on the different pathways available to you. Discover our food, nutrition, and dietetics courses , including double degrees like the Bachelor of Nutrition Science/Bachelor of Commerce and the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Nutrition Science . These combined courses allow you to broaden your expertise and boost your career potential across both sectors.
Australian Burden of Disease Study: Impact and causes of illness and death in Australia 2018 ^ The Australian's 2025 Research Magazine
Where You Can Study
Melbourne
1 Gheringhap St, GEELONG, VIC 3220
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
With increasing community interest in food and nutrition, there's strong demand for specialists across a range of sectors, such as healthcare, marketing, quality assurance and government. Meet the high demand for nutrition professionals; with a 15.6% increase in jobs expected in the next 5 years.
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Professional Body
Dietitians Australia (DA)
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
Dietitians Australia
Course Content
Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin
0-credit-point compulsory unit completed in first study period
Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program
0-credit-point compulsory unit completed prior to first laboratory based unit
Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety
0-credit-point compulsory unit
Foundations of Food, Nutrition and Health
Level 1 core unit
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Level 1 core unit
Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems
Level 1 core unit
Chemistry in Our World
Level 1 core unit
The Science of Food
Level 1 core unit
Food Fundamentals
Level 1 core unit
Nutritional Physiology
Level 2 core unit
Lifespan Nutrition
Level 2 core unit
Diet and Disease
Level 3 core unit
Food Policy and Regulation
Level 3 core unit
Population Nutrition
Level 3 core unit
Assessing Food Intake and Activity
Level 3 core unit
Food and Nutrition Practicum
Level 3 core unit — industry placement in final year
Physiology of Human Growth and Development
Master of Dietetics prerequisite elective unit
Integrated Human Physiology
Master of Dietetics prerequisite elective unit
Chemistry for the Professional Sciences
Master of Dietetics prerequisite elective unit
Biochemistry
Master of Dietetics prerequisite elective unit
Biochemical Metabolism
Master of Dietetics prerequisite elective unit
Principles of Physiology
Master of Dietetics prerequisite — combined with exercise physiology unit at level 2
Systems Physiology
Master of Dietetics prerequisite — combined with exercise physiology unit at level 2
Food Analysis and Quality Assurance
Trimester 1 elective
Sensory Evaluation of Food
Trimester 1 elective
Sports Nutrition: Theory and Practice
Trimester 1 elective
Food Manufacturing and Process Innovation
Trimester 1 elective
Consumer and Sensory Innovation of Food
Trimester 1 elective
Food Safety
Trimester 2 elective
Nutrition and Food Promotion
Trimester 2 elective
Food, Nutrition and Society
Trimester 2 elective
Trends in Product Development
Trimester 2 elective
International Perspectives in Food and Nutrition
Trimester 2 elective
Common Questions
Yes. This course can lead to the Master of Dietetics, with around 60% of places typically offered to Deakin graduates who complete the prerequisite elective units. Students can choose to study the prerequisite subjects during their bachelor degree, which include units such as Physiology of Human Growth and Development (HSN107), Integrated Human Physiology (HSE208), Chemistry for the Professional Sciences (SLE155), Biochemistry (SLE212), and Biochemical Metabolism (SLE222).
You will complete at least 75 hours of industry placement through the Food and Nutrition Practicum unit (HSN311) in your final year. Additionally, the course features food preparation, food analysis and sensory labs modelled on commercial laboratories, providing hands-on, real-world experience to prepare you for the workplace.
Applicants are required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for the relevant state prior to undertaking placements as part of this course. They are also required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for placements. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement unit.
The recommended major sequence is Food Innovation. Alternative major sequences available include: Disability and Inclusion, Exercise Science, Family, Society and Health, Health Promotion, Physical Activity and Health, and Psychology. Students can also choose majors from other Deakin courses including the Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Science, subject to unit and course rules and approval from a Course Adviser.
The Bachelor of Nutrition Science is offered at the Burwood (Melbourne) campus with two intake periods: Trimester 1 starting in March and Trimester 2 starting in July. Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2026 close on 21 June 2026.
Application
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Step 03
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