Obesity and Weight Management MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Undertake advanced-level education and learn the necessary skills to join the workforce in obesity prevention, treatment, and management. Choose a career path that can make a vital difference to the health and quality of life of an ever-increasing number of individuals, globally and in the UK, who can suffer severe consequences due to their condition. Only recently this has been once more brought to renewed attention by the global and national Covid-19 pandemic.

Course overview

This course provides advanced-level education, continuous professional development, and training for those already holding or seeking roles in obesity prevention, weight management, health promotion, public health, and related areas. Topics covered in the programme include latest developments in public health and obesity prevention strategies, diet and nutrition, exercise, psychology and behaviour change, and research methods. We also include several practical and problem-based sessions in our teaching and assessments to give students hands-on experience in assessing body composition (anthropometrics), dietary intake and physical activity, devising and analysing recipes and meal plans and delivering weight management consultations.

Assessment

Most assessments are written coursework to allow students the flexibility to complete these around their work commitments. Group tutorials both during and after modules are also offered to assist you with coursework. We also keep our students engaged between modules through regular updates via the virtual learning environment.

Whether you are returning to higher education or are a recent graduate, we have strong links with the study skills and maths skills department, and the library services to help you polish your academic writing, critical thinking, analytical skills, and literature search skills required at this level of study. You can book additional sessions and tutorials with our highly qualified and passionate study skills and library advisers. You will also gain PGCert and PGDip awards in this course.

Job prospects

This course will allow you to work in private or public settings. Examples include:

• Setting up your own management business consulting with individuals or business
• Develop a professional expertise in your current health care field and work with more obese service users
• Work in health promotion or public health
• Gain greater professional recognition and career advancement if you already work in weight management
• Develop research expertise and work in research

The course is open to candidates with a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in health, nutrition, exercise or closely related subject area. Appropriate equivalent professional qualifications may also be considered.