Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences (Food Science)

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

4 Years

240 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences

Your path to a career as a Nutritionist, Dietitian or Food Scientist!

Nutritional science is an expansive multi-faceted and continuously-evolving field within the natural and social sciences, encompassing several unique sub-disciplines. The comprehensive four-year programme gives you the fundamental knowledge required to pursue a food-related career. Additionally, it offers the flexibility to delve into one of three specialised tracks Human Nutrition, Dietetics, or Food Science. The programme's pedagogical structure ensures a shared academic journey during the initial three years, fostering a rich, collaborative learning environment. A year-long placement in the third year will offer you a glimpse into the diverse professions within these specialisations, enabling you to make an informed choice when choosing the preferred stream for the final year of studies. The theoretical study-units, hands-on laboratory sessions, immersive work placements and the opportunity to engage in original research will allow you to develop personally, intellectually and professionally.

Communication and Academic Skills Programme

The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.

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Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences

A pass at Advanced Level in Chemistry OR a pass at Advanced Level in Biology

Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences

During the first year of the Course, students are also required to undergo an occupational health assessment so as to ascertain that they are fit for the duties related to their proposed studies. Students who do not fulfil this requirement may be barred from progressing with their studies. Failure to disclose information about a physical or mental health problem that could affect patient safety is considered to be a serious breach of the University Suitability to Practise Regulations.

Requires the submission of a Police Certificate of Conduct.

Further information regarding admission.

Note for international students:

Clinical Placement Requirements

Students intending to select the Nutrition or Dietetics stream in the fourth year of study should be aware that clinical and community placements involve direct interaction with patients and the public. While the University’s primary language of instruction is English, Malta is a bilingual country where Maltese is frequently used in healthcare settings.

Language Proficiency Goal

To follow the course with profit and engage effectively in clinical settings, a B1 level of proficiency in the Maltese language (Independent User) is strongly recommended by the start of the fourth year.

Language Support & Recommendations The University provides resources to support international students in meeting this professional standard.

Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in Maltese as a Foreign Language (MAL) study units (more information is available here) starting from their first year. These units are offered free of charge to registered students. While they do not form part of the formal degree programme credits, completing levels MAL0011 through MAL0014 is the recommended pathway to achieve the necessary B1 proficiency. Early engagement with the language is essential, as basic communication in Maltese is vital for patient safety, building rapport, and achieving the learning outcomes of the fourth-year placements.

You are viewing the entry requirements for International applicants. Switch to Local qualifications.

You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FSN1020	An Introduction to Laboratory Skills	6 ECTS	(NC)
MLS1001	Introduction to Biomedical Biochemistry and Cell Biology	6 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ANA1500	General Anatomy 1	2 ECTS
CHE1004	Introduction to Chemistry in the Life Sciences	4 ECTS
CHE1520	Physical and Chemical Properties of Food Constituents: A Molecular Approach	4 ECTS
FEH1103	An Introduction to Mathematical Techniques in Food Science	2 ECTS	(NC)
FSN1014	Food through the Ages	4 ECTS
PAT2121	Pathology	4 ECTS
PHB1101	Body Fluids, Cells, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FEH1008	Psychology, Food Issues and Perceptions	4 ECTS	(NC)
FEH1009	An Introduction to Food Supply Chain Issues	4 ECTS	(NC)
FSN1019	Fundamentals of Human Nutrition and Dietetics	6 ECTS	(NC)
FSN1021	Nutrition and Dietetics Practice	4 ECTS
LIN1063	Academic Reading and Writing in English	2 ECTS
PHB1102	Renal Physiology and Haematology	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2: 60 ECTS credits


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FEH1004	General Food Microbiology	4 ECTS	(NC)
FEH2001	Food Production Systems and Safety	6 ECTS	(NC)
FEH3003	Organisational and Management Principles	4 ECTS	(NC)
FSN2007	Lifecycle Nutrition	4 ECTS	(NC)
FSN2008	Food Processing	4 ECTS	(NC)
FSN2009	Food Physics and Chemistry	4 ECTS	(NC)
FSN2012	Food Legislation	4 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FEH2026	Transitional Dietetics: From Fundamentals to Practice	6 ECTS	(NC)
FSN2003	Laboratory Methods in Food Studies	6 ECTS	(NC)
FSN2011	Food Policy and Sustainability	4 ECTS	(NC)
FSN2013	Nutritional Epidemiology	4 ECTS	(NC)
HSC2000	Digital Health for All: Implementing the Digital Transformation of Health	4 ECTS
IHC2014	Communication Skills for Health Professions	4 ECTS
SOR0210	Data Treatment and Probability	2 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3: 60 ECTS credits


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

CPH3800	Pharmacology for Nutritional Scientists	4 ECTS
FEH3025	Food: New Product Design and Development	4 ECTS	(NC)
FSN3010	Experiential Learning 1	8 ECTS	(NC)
FSN3014	Health Promotion and Public Health: From Principles to Practice	6 ECTS	(NC)
FSN3015	Sensory and Consumer Science	4 ECTS	(NC)
HSC3002	Research Methods in the Health Sciences	2 ECTS
PHB2101	Gastrointestinal and the Endocrine System	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FEH2023	Applied Nutrition	6 ECTS	(NC)
FSN2010	Advanced Food Microbiology	2 ECTS	(NC)
FSN3011	Experiential Learning 2	8 ECTS	(NC)
FSN3012	Laboratory-based Project	4 ECTS	(NC)
FSN3016	Sports Nutrition and Dietetics	4 ECTS	(NC)
FSN3017	Further Concepts of Food Policy, Procurement and Marketing	4 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for successful completion of Year 3: 60 ECTS credits

All students must register for the following common compulsory study-units. In addition to these study-units, students must register for the compulsory study-units under the respective stream to bring their total for the year to 60 ECTS.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FSN4000	Dissertation	10 ECTS	(NC)
FSN4001	Case Scenarios in Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics	10 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FSN4002	Professional Studies and Ethics	5 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for successful completion of Year 4: 60 ECTS credits

Requirement for award of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences: 240 ECTS credits

Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences (Food Science)


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FSN4003	Advanced Nutritional Science	5 ECTS	(NC)
FSN4005	Food Science Placement 1	10 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FSN4006	Food Science Placement 2	10 ECTS	(NC)
FSN4007	Food Science Placement 3	10 ECTS	(NC)

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Bachelor of Science (Honours) - B.Sc. (Hons) - under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences

Upon completion of this course, you will be equipped to meet an array of general learning objectives outlined below. Alongside these, each area of specialisation comes with specific learning outcomes that align with the requisite standards necessary for registration with the relevant professional bodies. You will be able to:

Exhibit comprehensive knowledge and apply the tenets of food and nutritional sciences, harmonising creativity and innovation to generate significant value.
Utilise a systematic, evaluative, and research-oriented approach to contribute meaningfully to the knowledge base in the spheres of nutrition, dietetics, and food science.
Exhibit proficiency in diverse forms of communication, including written, oral, visual, and electronic mediums, coupled with the ability to critically review evidence-based scientific literature, employ critical thinking for problem-solving, and perform comprehensive data analysis.
Effectively bridge theoretical knowledge and practical skills by engaging in supervised observation and practice in a variety of professional relevant settings.
Cultivate a rigorous self-evaluation mechanism to foster personal growth, supporting your journey towards becoming an accountable, autonomous, and competent professional.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 10,800

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Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences

The B.Sc. Hons in Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences paves the way for a Dynamic range of food-related career pathways. As a graduate, you may choose to work in health-oriented roles as a nutritionist or dietitian, and apply your expertise in clinical, community, and public health settings. These roles often involve designing nutrition programmes, counselling individuals on nutritional habits, and contributing to public health initiatives. If you are leaning towards Food Science, careers within food manufacturing industries wait, where you can contribute to product development, quality assurance, food safety, and regulatory compliance. Food scientists play a critical role in innovating, improving, and ensuring the safety of our food supply.

Furthermore, these fields offer excellent prospects for advanced studies and research. You may choose to further your education with a Masters' or a Doctoral degree, leading to opportunities in academia, research institutions, or highly specialised roles in their respective fields. Whether you're aiming to contribute to public health, improve the global food supply, or advance scientific understanding, a career in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science is a rewarding and impactful choice.

Every effort has been made to provide information that is current and accurate. However, as the content is being constantly updated, users are advised to verify the details contained in these web pages with the relevant University office or authority before making decisions based on the published information.