Sport nutrition is a dynamic discipline
facilitating the transfer of knowledge
between scientists and practitioners
interested in the link between
nutritional science, and sport and
exercise sciences. Research studies
investigating the interrelation between
nutrition, physical activity and exercise
in enhancement of sport performance,
health and wellbeing, and prevention
of disease have opened an incredible
window into the enhancement of
longevity and achievement of quality
life, as a whole for the society. Bridging
with the best world-wide research
evidence in the area of sport nutrition,
this Master programme encompasses a
range of learning opportunities, crossfertilising the theories and practices of
nutrition, sport and exercise science
and sport psychology with principles
of the research methods, to enable
students to undertake systematic
enquiry into the human physiological
and metabolic response to exercise
and nutritional factors affecting this
response. Besides, it also forms
a systematic framework for the
development of the skills required
for the practice in sport and exercise
nutrition. This programme is suitable for
nutrition and/or sport-related science
graduates and professionals interested
in further expanding or advancing
their knowledge and expertise in the
practical application of sport nutrition
with a granted input of solid theoretical
foundation.
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Teaching and
Research
The School of Health Sciences hosts current
Nutrition, Sport and Biology labs which
are equipped with all essential facilities,
equipment, and IT technology required for
the practice of Sport Nutrition. The new
Science building is to be completed in late
2015 comprising of the state-of-the-art
nutrition, food science, exercise physiology,
sport performance and sport psychology labs,
which will provide an outstanding learning and
research environment for students. Learning
environment includes
• Two large general teaching Bioscience/
Environmental Science labs: The labs are
adjacent to a suite of dedicated Bioscience
research labs.
• Bioscience research labs: The labs
comprise of Nutrition, Molecular
Biology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, and
Bioinformatics laboratories, serviced by a
central technical/preparation area
• Nutrition labs: The labs comprise of a
Food Processing lab, that includes hobs/
ovens and food preparation area, an area
for sensory analysis, a Clinical Nutrition
Laboratory (with consultation room), a small
classroom/teaching space, and a storage
room.
• Nutrition research lab with a phlebotomy lab
adjacent and connected: The lab includes
numerous equipment and facilities required
for analysis of food and biological samples,
and also for human metabolic studies.
• Sport & exercise science lab: The
lab includes a 25m sprint track with
force meters and motion capture for
biomechanical analysis, as well as treadmills
and BODPODS for physiological analysis
• Psychology labs: The labs include motor
control capture and vision labs as well as
cognitive and neuro-behaviour suits.
• Computer suits: established for electronic
engineering and robotics, providing research
synergies with both Psychology and Spore
Sciences
MSc Sport Nutrition
MSc Sport Nutrition
Several members of staff from range of
expertise within the School of Health
Sciences will be involved in leading
and teaching different modules of this
programme. They will also supervise
research in their expertise areas including
Nutritional Sciences, Sport Performance,
Sport Physiology and Sport Psychology. In
addition, a laboratory technician will support
the students in conducting their lab practicals
and assist them in organising data collection
using different experimental facilities and
equipment for their research projects.
Curriculum
The course consists of four taught modules
and a research project. The teaching will
be mainly through interactive lectures
and student-led seminars and tutorials in
small groups, which students will prepare
for through prior reading and research.
Assessment is through a range of essays,
case studies, research proposal, practical
sessions, presentations as well as a final
independent research dissertation to cater
for the variety of learning styles and needs.
The major emphasis is on encouraging
independent learning with the tutor acting as
a facilitator of learning, providing appropriate
support and guidance. Full-time students
normally attend minimal two intensive classes
each week; these sessions are supported by
time for wider reading, seminar preparation
and assignment completion.
• Nutritional Sciences. This module
proves an extensive overview of the
principles of the human nutrition, including
functions, sources and consequences
of the deficiency and excess of energy,
macronutrient and micronutrient
consumption as well as methods for
assessment of nutritional status at
individual and population levels. The
association between nutrition and other
factors including genetics, lifestyle,
ethnicity and socioeconomic status will also
be covered.
• Research Methods. This module
provides a foundation of principles of
research methods in health sciences,
from the development of research idea
and questions, to search of the literature,
planning of research, qualitative and
quantitative research methods, data
analysis and dissemination of the findings.
• Sport and Exercise Physiology. This
module provides an overview of principles
of exercise physiology, including exercise
biochemistry, physiology of skeletal muscle
mass, principles of exercise training, acute
and chronic adaptations to exercise as well
as exercise immunology, delivered through
lectures, seminars and laboratory practical
sessions.
• Sport and Performance Nutrition. This
module focuses on principles of sport
nutrition including distinctions between
sport, physical activity and exercise, energy
metabolism and role of nutrients prior to,
during and post exercise, fluid intake and
balance, nutritional ergogenic aids and
food supplements. Finally the ‘Research
Project’ completed in the final semester
will be a self-directed intensive research
project focused on a selected topic in sport
nutrition; where student work closely with
a supervisory team to formulate a research
question, review the literature, establish
methods, collect and analyse the data and
disseminate the findings.
Why choose Liverpool
Hope?
• The teaching is research-led. We have
staff who not only have published within
national and international peer reviewed
journals in the areas of Nutrition, Sport
Performance/Physiology and Sport
Psychology, but also have experience as
practitioners within their respective fields.
• We have a wide range of facilities,
technologies and equipment readily
available for students to engage in highcalibre postgraduate research
• We have extensive experience and
expertise in advanced evidenced-based
practice in sport nutrition
• We have a research environment and
expertise outstandingly enriched by interprofessional learning supported by several
distinct disciplines
• Students will carry out their independent
postgraduate research project using any of
the available technologies, equipment and
expertise available in our labs.
Key Information
Award: MSc Sport Nutrition
Mode of study: Full time or part
time
Duration: 12 months (full-time); or
24-36 months (part-time)
Intake: September
Entry criteria:
Normally a First Class or Upper
Second Class Honours Degree in
a relevant subject such as Sports
Science, Exercise Science or
similar.
Fees & Funding: For fees and
funding information please go to
www.hope.ac.uk/postgraduate/
feesandfunding
Faculty: Science and Social
Sciences
Contact details:
Student Recruitment
T: 0151 291 3111
E: [email protected]
Career Opportunities
By the end of their studies, students should
be able to apply theoretical knowledge and
understanding of evidenced-based nutrition
that facilitate and support sport and exercise
performance. In addition, they should acquire
the ability of designing and conducting
experiments to investigate different aspects
of human metabolic and physiologic response
to exercise, and nutritional factors affecting
this response. The ultimate goal for our
graduate is to competently apply practical
skills in assessing key exercise performance
markers, nutritional assessment techniques
and manipulating intervention outcomes
used in the evaluation of the nutritional
status of athletes and physically active
individuals. After successful completion of this
programme, students will be able to apply for
the Associate Nutritionist Status endorsed by
the Association for Nutrition (AfN) through
submission of portfolio of directed and selfdirected core competences of the AfN. This
would convey a great advantage for students
actively engage into the practice of Sport
Nutrition supporting not only professional and
semi-professional athletes, but also physically
active general population.
The core competencies obtained could
support the graduates to careers in sport
industry (e.g. gym, national sport leagues),
NHS sectors, Supplement industry, food
sector and/or other private sector.
Disclaimer: Information is correct at
time of print, however programme
details can change