Bachelor of Nutrition and Food Sciences

This degree prepares you for a career in the health and food industry, where you will be involved in developing innovative foods, promoting and managing diets and lifestyles, and conducting research for enhanced wellbeing.

Our on-campus facilities are state-of-the-art, with a dedicated nutrition and food science hub that is home to a $1 million commercial kitchen, sensory laboratory (one of only a few in Australia) and microbiology laboratory.

You will also learn from award-winning academics and get a taste of what it’s like to work in the food and nutrition industry in our community by attending field trips to some of South Australia’s major nutrition and food providers.

What you'll need Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements.

These include criminal history clearance, child related employment clearance and immunisation requirements.

Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
• Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma level or above

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, child related employment clearance and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

This unique degree offers practice-based and theoretical learning to ensure you are career-ready.

During the first two years you will explore both nutrition and food science topics, gaining a solid understanding of the key elements of each.

You will develop knowledge in:

• biology
• chemistry
• health in our society
• human and lifespan nutrition
• biochemistry
• physiology
• the chemistry of food
• food quality and safety
• relationships between food bioactives, functional foods and medicines
• consumer education
• influences of the senses on consumer food choice.

In the third year you will select either a nutrition or food science stream:

If you choose nutrition, you will focus on:

• developing essential communication skills across a variety of platforms
• developing skills to promote good health through food and nutrition in the community
• developing personalised dietary and exercise plans to manage weight
• nutrition for sports, exercise and activity.

If you choose food science, you will focus on:

• food microbiology
• quality assurance in food processing and manufacturing
• developing safe and nutritionally sound foods for the marketplace
• food and beverage fermentation.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

You will be required to attend field trips to some of the state’s major nutrition and food providers as part of your studies – this experience in the food and nutrition world is a great opportunity for you to build industry relationships. You will visit organisations like manufacturers of spreads and dips, beer and wine, as well as Australian native food bush tucker farms, and aged care facilities, focusing on food safety and food modifications for the elderly.

In your final year you will gain additional experience by completing an industry placement in Food Science or Nutrition as part of the capstone subject.

We also have strong industry links with the food industry locally and nationally, which can provide you with another valuable networking opportunity.

Your career

In Australia, the nutrition profession is expected to grow very strongly over the next five years, with an expected 5,000 job openings.1

Nutrition and food science experts require an enthusiasm for food and its effect on health. You should also possess a variety of personal skills such as problem-solving attributes, creative thinking and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.

As the health, nutrition and wellness industries continue to grow, employment prospects for graduates of this degree are promising.

You may gain employment as a:

• Community nutritionist: create changes in attitude toward nutrition and health; provide advice, guidance and support to the community.
• Health promotion officer: use social and environmental interventions to improve the health of groups and individuals.
• Sports, exercise and fitness nutritionist: responsible for improving the health and optimising the performance of athletes.
• Food Scientist: use chemistry and biology to look at the microbiological, chemical and physical properties of food and ingredients. Analyse nutritional content, discover new food sources, and ensure that the manufacturing process is safe.
• Product development manager: develop new and innovative products to meet strategic business objectives.
• Microbiology specialist: work in food manufacturing or government to research microorganisms in order to prevent disease.
• Food policy advisor: provide health and nutrition advice to the public.
• Food safety advisor: conduct food and safety reviews and monitor procedures to ensure standards are met.
• Quality assurance officer: conducts assurance audits of production facilities to ensure consistent products are developed and to oversee quality, efficiency and production issues. Research scientist: plan and conduct laboratory-based investigations, experiments and trials and analyse results to broaden scientific understanding.
• Food technician: conduct research and assist with experiments on various food products, along with the maintenance and repair of equipment involved in the production process.
• Flavor technologist: sample products and conduct experiments to alter the ingredients in food and beverages to make it taste better, replicate a taste, or develop a new taste.
• Research scientist: design, undertake and inspect issues to provide recommendations across problems or questions related to nutrition and food sciences.
• High School Nutrition teacher (with further study - Master of Teaching (Secondary))

1Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2023 Small Business Projections.

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

As a nutrition and food science student you will have access to:

• Commercial Kitchen
• Sensory laboratory
• Microbiology laboratory