Master's Degree in Nutrition

Presentation

This master’s degree focuses on advanced training in human nutrition, integrating biomedical, clinical, community, and public health aspects of the discipline. It responds to the growing need for highly trained specialists capable of addressing nutritional issues and metabolic disorders — such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other diet-related health challenges — through scientific, clinical, and community-based approaches. 

The programme covers both experimental and clinical aspects of nutrition, preparing students to work in health-related settings as well as in research and education.

Main Objective

The main objective of this master is to provide advanced, specialized training in human nutrition, enabling graduates to analyze, assess, and intervene in nutritional processes related to health, disease prevention, and public health, based on scientific evidence.

More specifically, the master aims to:

• Deepen knowledge of human metabolism and nutritional physiology
• Train professionals capable of evaluating nutritional status and dietary intake in different population groups
• Address nutrition-related health problems such as obesity, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic conditions
• Apply nutrition principles in clinical, community, and public health contexts
• Develop skills in scientific methodology, data analysis, and critical evaluation of evidence
• Prepare students for research activities and for access to doctoral programmes in nutrition and health sciences

Competencies

General and Transversal Competencies

• Integrate advanced scientific knowledge to solve complex nutrition-related problems
• Apply critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making
• Communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences
• Work autonomously and in multidisciplinary health teams
• Act with ethical responsibility and respect for professional standards
• Engage in lifelong learning and professional development

Specific Nutrition and Health Competencies

• Understand and apply advanced knowledge of human metabolism and nutritional physiology
• Assess nutritional status, dietary intake, and body composition
• Analyze the relationship between diet, nutrition, and health/disease
• Design and evaluate nutritional intervention strategies
• Address nutrition-related disorders (e.g. obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk)
• Apply nutrition principles in clinical, community, and public health contexts

Research and Scientific Competencies

• Apply scientific methodology in nutrition and health research
• Design and conduct research or applied studies
• Analyze and interpret biomedical and nutritional data
• Critically evaluate scientific literature
• Prepare and defend scientific and technical reports, including the Master’s Thesis (TFM)

Professional and Applied Competencies

• Collaborate in health promotion and disease prevention programmes
• Support decision-making in healthcare, public health, and institutional settings
• Apply ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to nutrition and health
• Transfer scientific knowledge to professional practice and policy contexts

Structure and Distribution of Credits

• Metabolism module (15 ECTS) includes core nutrition and metabolism courses that form the academic backbone of the programme.
• A Module 0 of foundational subjects (up to 21 ECTS) may be required only for students who need to meet minimum prerequisite competencies in biochemistry, physiology, etc. — this is not taken by all students and is decided by the programme committee.
• The Master’s Final Project (TFM) accounts for 12 ECTS, integrating theory, research, and applied practice. 

The exact breakdown of the remaining credits (e.g., other compulsory/advanced subjects) may vary slightly depending on the academic year and students’ prior training, and is defined in the official study plan and teaching guides.

Courses

• By term
• By year