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Simran Kaur

Updated on 17th April, 2024 , 10 min read

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Admission, Eligibility, Colleges, Syllabus, Jobs 2024

Course

What is MSc Nutrition and Dietetics?

The full form of an MSc Nutrition and Dietetics is a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. It is a two-year postgraduate course.

MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics focuses on offering advanced education and training in the fields of dietetics and nutrition. It includes knowledge of research methods, therapeutic nutrition, community nutrition, and food science. The number of health-conscious individuals has grown drastically in the past few years, which has led to an increase in the demand for this course.  

Further Reading: What is an MSc Degree?

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics eligibility is students with a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics, BSc Microbiology, BSc Dietetics, BSc Home Science, Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, or a similar discipline bachelor's degree with minimum 50% marks.

MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics admission is generally done through Merit with very few institutions opting for Entrance. The Entrance exams for this course are BITSAT, IIT JAM, TISS NET, NEST, and CUET PG.

The average fee for MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics is INR 5,000 – 4 LPA and some of the top colleges that offer admission into this course are, Lovely Professional University, Banaras Hindu University, Amity University, Chandigarh University, and Shoolini University.

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics subjects include Advanced Nutrition, Medical Nutrition therapy Nutritional Biochemistry, Food Microbiology, Nutrigenomics, and Food Safety.

For further studies, students can pursue an MPhil in Food Science and Nutrition, a PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics, and Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition, etc.

MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics jobs include Clinical Nutritionist/Dietitian, Food Service Manager, Health and Wellness Coach, Nutrition Educator, ina and Food Technologist. The average salary graduates earn after clearing this course is up to INR 2 – 12 LPA.

Top recruiters after MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics are Apollo Hospitals, Abbott, Max Healthcare, VLCC, Nestle, and P&G.

Also Read: MSc Admission 2024

More MSc Courses:

MSc Physics

MSc Psychology

MSc Food Technology

MSc Zoology

MSc Sports and Event Management

MSc Computer Science

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Course Details

Details

Particulars

Course Name

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics

Course Level

Postgraduate

Course Full Form

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

Course Duration

2  Years

Course Types

Full-time and Distance Education

Admission Process

Primarily Merit Based

Eligibility Criteria

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics, BSc Microbiology, BSc Dietetics, BSc Home Science, Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, or a similar discipline bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks.

Entrance Exams

BITSAT, IIT JAM, TISS NET, NEST and CUET PG.

Course Fees

INR 5,000 – 4 LPA

Top Colleges

Lovely Professional University,Banaras Hindu University, Amity University, Chandigarh University and Shoolini University.

Average Salary in India

INR 2 – 12 LPA

Job Profiles

Clinical Nutritionist/Dietitian, Food Service Manager, Health and Wellness Coach, Nutrition Educator and Food Technologist

Top Recruiters

Apollo Hospitals, Abbott, Max Healthcare, VLCC, Nestle and P&G

Msc-Nutrition-and-Dietetics

Why Should you pursue MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics? 

  • Growing Demand: The demand for qualified nutritionists and dieticians is rapidly increasing as people are becoming more health-conscious and aware of the impact of their food choices on their overall well-being.  
  • Career Opportunities: This course opens a wide range of career options for graduates such as hospitals, clinics, food companies, research institutions, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, among others.
  • Impactful Career: As a graduate in MSc Nutrition and Dietetics, an individual makes a significant impact on people's lives by helping them in eating healthy, and managing conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.  
  • Holistic Approach: A holistic approach to health, which considers a person's physical, emotional, and mental well-being, is emphasized in the MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics program.
  • Personal Health Benefits: This course is designed to provide a deeper understanding of food in maintaining health and preventing disease, which can be applied to a graduate's life and the lives of their loved ones. 

Who Should Pursue MSc Nutrition and Dietetics? 

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics will be suitable for the following people:

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Course Types  

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics is offered to students in two modes that can be pursued full-time or via distance education.  

  • MSc Nutrition and Dietetics Full-time: This course is designed systematically and  provides both theoretical and practical knowledge to the students. To build a strong foundation in MSc Nutrition and Dietetics, various aspects of nutrition and dietetics are taught such as Community Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, Public Health Nutrition, and Nutritional Biochemistry.
  • MSc Nutrition and Dietetics Distance Education: This option is available for students who cannot pursue this course on a full-time basis and require flexibility in choosing their study time. A candidate with this degree gets the same career opportunities as a regular student but this method of learning might not provide practical knowledge and focus heavily on theory. 

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Fees

Given below is a list of colleges that offer MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics, along with their respective locations, average course fees, and salary packages after the course:

Name of the College/University

 Location

Average Course Fees

Average Salary Package

Lovely Professional University

Punjab

INR 4 LPA

INR 5 LPA

Banaras Hindu University

Uttar Pradesh

INR 13,000

INR 8 LPA

Amity University

Uttar Pradesh

INR 3 LPA

INR 3.8 LPA

Chandigarh University

Chandigarh

INR 4 LPA

INR 6.2 LPA

Shoolini University

Himachal Pradesh

INR 2 LPA

INR 3 LPA

Guru Nanak Dev University

Punjab

INR 89,000

INR 5.7 LPA

Banasthali Vidyapith

Rajasthan

INR 2 LPA

INR 3.6 LPA

Vellore Institute of Technology

Tamil Nadu

INR 4 LPA

INR 4.5 LPA

University of Mysore

Karnataka

INR 2 LPA

INR 3.85 LPA

Mahatma Gandhi University

Kerala

INR 1 LPA

INR 5 LPA

Also Read: Top MSc Colleges in India 

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Distance Education

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics via Distance Education is a great option for students who need the freedom to choose when to study and are unable to take this course full-time. Given below are some of the key highlights of this course:

  • To be eligible for this course students with a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics, BSc Microbiology, Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, BSc Dietetics, BSc Home Science, or a similar discipline bachelor's degree with minimum 40% marks is required.
  • MSc Nutrition and Dietetics via Distance Education course fees range between INR 23,000 – 46,000 LPA.
  • This course takes two years to complete, although some universities may offer longer-duration programs.
  • The study material for a distance education program in India is provided through printed books, e-books, and online resources.
  • Students are required to complete assignments and appear for exams as part of the MSc Nutrition and Dietetics via Distance Education program.   
  • The average salary after the completion of MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics via Distance Education is INR 3 – 7 LPA.

Given below is a list of colleges/universities that offer MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics via Distance Education along with their location and course fees:

Name of the College/University

Location

Average Course Fees

IGNOU

Delhi NCR

INR 32,400

Madurai Kamaraj University

Tamil Nadu

INR 20,000

Sikkim Manipal University

Sikkim

INR 50,000

Annamalai University

Tamil Nadu

INR 30,000

Further Reading: MSc Psychology Distance Education

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Admission Process

It is highly recommended that aspirants score well in their bachelor's because admission into this course is mainly done through merit lists. However, some universities do conduct one at their college level to select candidates. Given below is an overview of the admission procedure:

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics Admission: Merit-Based

  • An aspirant should score more than 50% marks in bachelor's examinations to be applicable for merit-based admission.
  • Apply to the desired college through their official website or by physically visiting the institution and filling out the application form.
  • Make sure to check the eligibility criteria and have all the required documents (Bachelor's Degree, 10th and 12th Certificates, Aadhar Card, Photographs, etc.) in hand.  
  • Merit lists are usually updated on the official website of the colleges and need to be checked regularly by the aspirant.
  • If selected, the aspirant can pay the required fees and the admission process will be complete.  
  • Finally, candidates must attend the counseling or orientation organized by the institution for further details, if selected from the merit list.  

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics Admission: Entrance-Based

  • Apply to the desired college through their official website or by physically visiting the institution and filling out the application form.
  • The application form will require the candidates to register themselves with an email ID, password, and mobile number along with academic and course details.
  • The candidate is required to upload the necessary documents online, such as Bachelor's Degree, Photograph, 10th, and 12th Certificates, Aadhar Card etc.)
  • Once the form is complete, the candidate will be asked to pay a minimal amount of application fee.
  • It is advised to check the website regularly for updates on the admit card, entrance exam, and entrance exam syllabus.
  • Admit cards will be issued to all the eligible students which will have important information such as the date of the examination, examination center, and timings.
  • The college/university will then publish lists according to their cut-off and seat availability.
  • If selected, a candidate should pay the course fee as soon as possible and attend the orientation/counseling organized by the college for further information.

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Eligibility

To be eligible for this course, a candidate must fulfill the following mandatory criteria:

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Entrance Exams

Given below are the details of some of the entrance exams conducted by various universities along with their details for MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics:

Name of the Exam

Registration Date

Exam Dates

BITSAT

January 2024 - June 2024

May 2024 - June 2024

IIT JAM

September 5th - October 25th 2023

February 11th 2024

TISS NET

To be Announced 

To be Announced

NEST

February 2024 - May 2024

June 2024

CUET PG

Feb 2024 - April 2024

May 21st - 31st 2024

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Subjects

Given below is a table of subjects that are taught in MSc Nutrition and Dietetics in India:

Food Science and Nutrition

Food Microbiology and Safety

Nutritional Epidemiology

Principles of Biochemistry

Food and Nutrition Policy

Nutritional Anthropometry and Techniques

Nutritional Assessment and Screening

Statistical Methods in Nutrition Research

Food Service Management

Nutritional Toxicology

Nutrition and Food Allergies

Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Syllabus

The course is divided into 4 Semesters which must be covered in 2 years. The syllabus of MSc Nutrition and Dietetics will vary from college to college; however, a brief of the syllabus is given in the following table: 

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Syllabus 1st Year

Semester 1

Semester 2

Food Science

Advanced Nutrition – 1

Diet Therapy 1

Diet Therapy 2

Nutrition through Developmental Stages

Community Nutrition

Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods

Food Cost and Quality Control

Human Physiology

Nutrition and Food Allergies

Public Health Nutrition

Dissertation/Project Work

 

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Syllabus 2nd Year

Semester 3

Semester 4

Therapeutic Nutrition in Clinical Practise

Food Service Management

Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders

Sports and Fitness Nutrition

Nutrition Counselling and Communication

Nutritional Assessment and Screening

Statistical Methods in Nutrition Research

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Nutritional Epidemiology

Nutritional Biochemistry

Food Microbiology and Safety

Dissertation/Project Work

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Recommended Books

Given below are the names of some recognized nutritionists' books along with their authors in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics that a candidate must read to gain further knowledge in the course: 

Name of the Book

Author's Name

Krause's Food & the Nutrition Care Process

L. Kathleen Mahan and Janice L. Raymond

Nutrition and Dietetics' 6th Edition

B. Srilakshmi

Food Science

B. Srilakshmi

Dietitian's Handbook of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition

Annalynn Skipper

Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition

Sharon Rady Rolfes, Kathryn Pinna, and Ellie Whitney

Nutritional Biochemistry

Tom Brody

Public Health Nutrition

Judith L. Buttriss and Ailsa A. Welch

Sports and Exercise Nutrition

William D. McArdle, Frank I. Katch, and Victor L. Katch

Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills: A Guide for Professionals

Judith Beto and Denise Holston-Bolden

Clinical Nutrition: A Functional Approach

Jeffrey Bland and Mark Hyman

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Top Colleges in India

Name of the College/University

Location

Average Course Fees

Lovely Professional University

Punjab

INR 4 LPA

Andhra University

Andhra Pradesh

INR 40,000

Berhampur University

Odisha

INR 20,000

Banaras Hindu University

Uttar Pradesh

INR 13,000

Amity University

Uttar Pradesh

INR 3 LPA

Manav Rachna International University

Haryana

INR 1.92 LPA

Chandigarh University

Chandigarh

INR 4 LPA

Shoolini University

Himachal Pradesh

INR 2 LPA

Guru Nanak Dev University

Punjab

INR 89,000

Banasthali Vidyapith

Rajasthan

INR 2 LPA

SGT University

Haryana

INR 2 LPA

Vellore Institute of Technology

Tamil Nadu

INR 4 LPA

University of Mysore

Karnataka

INR 2 LPA

Mahatma Gandhi University

Kerala

INR 1 LPA

Kurukshetra University

Haryana

INR 16,000

SRM University

Uttar Pradesh

INR 1 LPA

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Jobs and Salary

Job Profile

Description

Average Salary

Clinical Nutritionist/Dietician

Clinical nutritionists/dieticians provide maximize medical nutrition therapy to patients with a range of medical disorders in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.

INR 2 – 3 LPA

Community Nutritionist

Community nutritionists work with communities, schools, and public health organizations to promote healthy eating habits and prevent nutrition-related diseases.

INR 2 – 3 LPA

Sports Nutritionist

Sports nutritionists collaborate with athletes to create dietary regimens that will maximize performance and hasten healing following exercise or injury.

INR 4 LPA

Food Quality Manager

Food quality managers are responsible for ensuring that the food products meet the safety and quality standards set by the Indian government.

INR 1.5 – 3 LPA

Food Technologist

Food technologists work in the food industry, developing new food products, and ensuring their safety and quality.

INR 2 – 4 LPA

Public Health Specialist

 

Public Health Specialists work with government health departments to develop and implement public health policies related to nutrition and dietetics.

INR 3.2 – 5 LPA

Researcher

With an MSc Nutrition and Dietetics, onOrganizationsorganizationse can also pursue a research career, working in research institutions, universities, or as a consultant.

INR 4 – 6 LPA

Msc-Nutrition-and-Dietetics-Jobs-and-Salary

Further Reading: MSc Jobs in India

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Top Recruiters

Upon the completion of MSc Nutrition and Dietetics, there are various career opportunities in India that students can opt for. Some of them are given below:

Field

Organisations

Average Salary

Hospitals and Healthcare organizations

Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare and Medanta.

INR 1 – 5 LPA

Sports Organizations

Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and Sports Authority of India (SAI).

INR 2 – 6 LPA

Food and Beverage industry

Nestle, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola.

INR 3 – 4 LPA

Research Institutions and Universities

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), AIIMS, Jamia Millia Islamia, and University of Delhi.

INR 1 – 2 LPA

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

UNICEF, Oxfam, and CARE India.

INR 3 – 5 LPA

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics: Further Studies

For Further studies after MSc Nutrition and Dietetics, there are several options available in India. Some of the options are listed below:

  • PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Science and Nutrition
  • Master of Public Health

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is MSc Nutrition and Dietetics?

MSc Nutrition and Dietetics is a postgraduate course that focuses on advanced education and training in the fields of dietetics and nutrition.

What is the eligibility for MSc Nutrition and Dietetics?

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics, BSc Microbiology, BSc Dietetics, BSc Home Science, Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, or a similar discipline bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks.

What is the average salary after MSc Nutrition and Dietetics?

The average salary graduates earn after clearing this course is up to INR 2 – 12 LPA.

Does IGNOU offer MSc Nutrition and Dietetics?

Yes, IGNOU offers a Master’s course in Nutrition and the average fee for the whole course is INR 32,000.

What is the syllabus of MSc Nutrition and Dietetics?

The syllabus of MSc Nutrition and Dietetics includes topics such as Advanced Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy¸ Nutritional Biochemistry, Food Microbiology, Nutrigenomics, and Food Safety.

What are some of the MSc Nutrition and Dietetics Colleges in India?

Some of the top colleges that offer admission into MSc Nutrition and Dietetics are Lovely Professional University, Banaras Hindu University, Amity University, Chandigarh University, and Shoolini University.

What are some of the government colleges for MSc Nutrition and Dietetics?

Some of the government colleges for MSc Nutrition and Dietetics are Lady Irwin College, Institute of Home Economics, University of Madras, Banaras Hindu University, Osmania University and Government Home Science College.

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