Sport and Exercise Nutrition (Part-time) (PGDip)
The PGDip Sport and Exercise Nutrition course is ideal for those who wish to pursue a career as sports nutrition practitioners or sports nutritionists. As sports nutrition becomes an increasingly important aspect of performance and health, there is a growing demand for professionals with the skills to work in this field. This programme is designed to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to become effective sports nutrition practitioners, capable of supporting athletes and individuals in achieving their health and performance goals.
The course is developed around the principles of evidence-based nutrition, ensuring that students are trained to deliver reliable and effective nutrition advice. The curriculum emphasises performance nutrition and how it applies to real-life situations in sport, enabling graduates to meet the unique nutritional needs of athletes and sports enthusiasts. Students will study sport nutrition for athletes, focusing on the impact of diet on training, performance, and recovery.
A blend of applied sports nutrition and nutrition science foundations gives students a solid understanding of the body’s energy requirements during different types of physical activity, as well as the skills to craft personalised nutrition plans. By covering exercise nutrition principles, students gain insight into how diet affects the body during various forms of sport and physical activity, including both endurance and strength-based exercises. The course also places significant emphasis on health and wellbeing in sport, teaching students how to support the overall health of active individuals, from weekend warriors to professional athletes.
In addition to technical knowledge, this programme offers practical experience through professional practice in sports nutrition. Students will develop practical skills in assessing and advising on diet and nutrition, gaining the competencies to work with clients confidently and effectively. This practical training is essential for those aspiring to careers in applied sports nutrition, helping graduates to thrive in diverse professional settings.
The programme is accredited by the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr), a respected body for sports nutrition professionals in the UK. With SENr accreditation, graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce with qualifications recognised by employers. The curriculum is carefully aligned with SENr competencies, ensuring students meet industry standards.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition programme is offered on weekends and through a mix of taught and blended learning. This structure allows students to manage both work and study commitments, making it ideal for individuals who require a flexible approach to learning.
Course details
- Blended (On-campus)
- Part-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Sport and Exercise Nutrition programme combines scientific knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. This evidence-based programme focuses on applied learning, preparing you for professional success in sports nutrition through interactive, blended learning.
Throughout the course you will learn the principles of sports nutrition and fitness, grounded in the latest theories and evidence. This knowledge will enable you to apply theory to practice and advise athletes across various sports to maximise their performance. You will also use specialist software for dietary analysis and meal planning, alongside the human performance laboratory to assess health and fitness levels.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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Prospective students should normally have first completed a degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Sport and Exercise Science, Human Biology, Exercise Physiology or similar, gaining at least a 2:2 classification. This is an important consideration if students wish to become a Registrant of the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register Practitioner.
For international students, the entry requirements must be broadly equivalent to those expected of UK students. At admission, students whose first language is not English must have English Language requirements appropriate to an AfN Accredited programme, which must not be less than 6.5 IELTS (or equivalent), with no individual section less than 6.0.
2:2 honours degree 
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or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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A variety of assessment will be used to challenge students but also enhance the practical skills required to work in the area of sports nutrition. There is a strong academic focus within the programme alongside the development of practical skills.
Assessments will include essays, laboratory reports, case studies, practical tasks and presentations (individual and groups).
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- Accommodation – usually available at the Carmarthen Campus
- DBS Check
- Food Hygiene Certificate
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Graduates will go on to work with elite and recreational athletes across a range of sports. Many Sports Governing Bodies require at least Practitioner status to work for them.
There are increasing opportunities to work in a variety of sports or to set up a business working with elite and recreational athletes. The opportunities are endless.
Our lecturers are also practitioners themselves and have a wealth of experience that helps to guide your career.