Faculty of Science
CODE
15058
SUBCODE
15058-NPF
ENTRY

Sept 2026 Entry

STUDY MODE
Mixed Mode
DURATION

1 year

CREDIT REQUIRED

31

FUND TYPE
Self-Financed
  • Only the full-time option will be offered for admission in 2026/27.

  • This is a specialism of the MSc in Nutrition and Healthy Ageing programme, with a greater focus on practical, higher English language requirements and fitness to practice policy that prepares students to apply for nutritionist registration.

  • Early applications are strongly encouraged.

  • One-off entry scholarship will be granted to students with excellent academic achievements.

  • The programme has been selected by the University Grants Committee (UGC) for the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies. Local students admitted to this programme can apply for the scholarship, please click here for details.

Application Deadline
Local - Mixed Mode
Sept 2026 Entry
Early Round: 2025-10-15
Main Round: 2026-01-15
Extended Round: 2026-04-30
Non-local - Mixed Mode
Sept 2026 Entry
Early Round: 2025-10-15
Main Round: 2026-01-15
Extended Round: 2026-04-30

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About Programme
How to Apply
Aims & Characteristics

This programme aims to provide a unique, professionally oriented education opportunity for Bachelor's degree holders with relevant backgrounds, and to produce well-trained nutritionists capable of meeting the needs of the community, especially the elderly. The programme nurtures well-rounded and competitive graduates with excellent knowledge and skills. It includes a carefully designed curriculum, modern learning/teaching methodologies, multiple assessment tools, and workplace learning experiences, with the primary goal of contributing to the health and well-being of the ageing population.

 

Upon the successful completion of the programme, students should be able to:

(i)  use their professional skills and knowledge to provide nutrition services and assess the nutritional status of individuals, especially the elderly;

(ii) provide nutrition counselling and education for individuals, groups and communities to optimise health and well-being, with an emphasis on healthy ageing by applying specific principles of nutrition and communication strategies;

(iii) understand the food chain and its impact on people’s food choices, as well as the role of nutrition and diet in healthy ageing;

(iv) analyse and apply research methods in various nutrition and healthy ageing studies and settings; and

(v) demonstrate the critical thinking, communication and analytical skills required to identify and solve problems related to nutrition and healthy ageing.

Recognition & Prospects

Recognition

The programme is accredited by the UK Association for Nutrition. Graduates of this programme are eligible to apply for direct entry to the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN) as Registered Associate Nutritionists.

 

Prospects

Excellent job prospects in public health and nutritional science are available to graduates­ – in health services, in academia or in the food and nutrition industry.

Curriculum

Students need to complete the following subjects:

  1. Academic Integrity and Ethics in Science

  2. Advanced Human Physiology and Anatomy
  3. Food Preparation and Menu Planning
  4. Nutrition and Health for Older Adults
  5. Nutrition Education and Counselling
  6. Nutritional Assessment
  7. Practicum I
  8. Practicum II
  9. Capstone Project
  10. Public Health Nutrition
  11. Research Methods & Data Analysis
Credit Required for Graduation

31

Programme Leader(s)

Dr Christine Li Shi-ying
BSc, MSc, PhD, RNutr (UK)

Subject Area
Nutrition and Healthy Ageing (Nutrition in Practice)
Entrance Requirements
  • A Bachelor's degree with honours in food, nutrition, biological science or health-related disciplines, or other relevant science disciplines.

For those whose first language is not English, IELTS minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no subscore less than 6.0 is required at entry point. The IELTS Online, IELTS indicator test, and IELTS one skill retake results will not be considered for meeting the English language requirement.  Results that are more than two years old are normally NOT accepted.  

Enquiries

For further programme information, please contact us via email: msc.healthyageing@polyu.edu.hk

Other Information

Class Arrangement

Classes are normally scheduled on weekday evenings and Saturdays.

 

Additional Graduation Requirement

All students will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practice Policy prior to graduation from our programme.

 

Accreditation for Prior Learning 
Accreditation for Prior Learning may be considered if the learning outcomes were evidenced to have met through prior study, which is assessed by an AfN Registered Nutritionist.

 

Related Programmes

Master of Science in Nutrition and Healthy Ageing 

Programme Leaflet

Please click here to download.

Tuition Fee

HK$7,700 per credit for local and non-local students. Tuition fee will not be charged for the 1-credit subject, Academic Integrity and Ethics in Science.

One-off entry scholarship will be granted to students with excellent academic achievements.

Student Message

As a biomedical engineer, witnessing the growing societal need to address ageing populations inspired me to pivot towards nutrition, a field where engineering and human wellness intersect. This Master’s degree programme equipped me with nutrient metabolism knowledge, evidence-based dietary intervention, and geriatric nutrition; while allowing me to apply my analytical engineering mindset to develop innovative approaches in health promotion.

 

Collaborating with classmates from different backgrounds enriched my perspective, fostering meaningful discussions about real-world challenges. Hands-on practicums, community projects involving older adults, and guest lectures with global experts developed my ability to translate theory into practice, bridging gaps between clinical research and public health needs.

 

The programme’s emphasis on holistic ageing solutions has prepared me to contribute meaningfully to healthcare innovation, leveraging both my engineering and nutritional expertise. I am grateful to the supportive teachers and peers who made this journey intellectually stimulating and rewarding. To future students: whether you come from healthcare, science, or beyond, this programme offers a dynamic platform to drive change in an ageing world.

Arron LAM

My study journey at the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at PolyU has been dynamic and positive, bridging learning with real-world impact. Beyond lectures, the practicum immersed me in community health promotion initiatives, where I designed wellness programmes for local residents. The hands-on experience deepened my public health awareness and gave me a sense of social responsibility. A standout feature of the department is its state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, where science meets culinary creativity. Through demonstrated kitchen skills led by professional chefs, I learned to translate nutrition principles into practical and delicious meals.

 

PolyU’s campus life is equally vibrant and diverse. The Outdoor Hiking Society introduced me to Hong Kong’s stunning natural landscapes from the Dragon’s Back to Lantau Peak while connecting me with peers from around the globe.  PolyU is more than an institution, it’s an ecosystem of growth, discovery, and global connection. I learned I could turn ideas into action, challenges into opportunities, and strangers into lifelong friends.

 

To future students: dive into every experience PolyU offers. Whether in a lab, a kitchen, a hiking trail, or a community event, you’ll find lessons that shape not just your career, but your character.

JIA Luyi
Additional Documents Required
Employer's Recommendation

Optional

Personal Statement

Optional

Transcript / Certificate

Required

Academic Referee's Report

Optional

Curriculum Vitae

Required

Others

For those whose first language is not English, IELTS minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no subscore less than 6.0 is required at entry point. The IELTS Online, IELTS indicator test, and IELTS one skill retake results will not be considered for meeting the English language requirement.  Results that are more than two years old are normally NOT accepted.

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