Study Sports & Nutrition
Combine passion with expertise—excel in the realms of sports and nutrition on an international platform, shaping the future of athletic performance and well-being.
Importance of Sports and Nutrition Course in Modern Times
Does the performance graph of eminent sportspersons intrigue you? Do you often wonder about their exercise regime or nutritional intake to maintain peak performance? You can put these curiosities to rest by embarking on a profession that delves into behind-the-scenes activities of sportspersons to monitor and drive their performance everyone applauds for. Yes, we are talking about two distinct disciplines of study – sports and nutrition, and how you can combine these two for a rewarding career.
Sports study as a standalone discipline can lead to coaching, marketing and communication, physiotherapy, sports medicine, sports psychology, sports journalism, sports management courses, etc. In pursuing nutrition study, on the other hand, you can take up clinical nutrition, dietetics, microbiology, food science, food safety, etc. But the combined study of sports and nutrition leads to the exciting career of a sports nutritionist or dietician, working closely with sports organizations or teams, individual athletes, athletic clubs, fitness centers or hospitals, etc. The two disciplines complement each other, wherein in one, you understand the physio-psychology of sportspersons, and in the other, you gain the skills to chalk out the nutritional plan to achieve and maintain their peak performance.
You can start by earning an undergraduate degree and proceed to a master’s and eventually a doctorate through noble research work. For professional practice as a dietician or sports nutritionist, after completing a sports and nutrition course, you would have to go through the licensure procedure of the country you intend to practice in.
Reasons to Study A Sports And Nutrition Course Abroad
Getting out of the comfort zone of your home country to study sports abroad will help you grow personally and professionally. The opportunity to learn from renowned and experienced professors and professionals practicing globally can help you step up academically. Cross-cultural interactions with a diverse peer group will widen your perspective and knowledge base. You will also gain a first-hand understanding of the global best practices in the profession.
Studying sports nutrition courses in one of the top-ranking HEIs gives you access to pathbreaking studies in the domain, besides opening your prospects of pursuing research under experienced mentors. This apart, measuring the performance of sportspersons and enhancing the same through nutrition is technology-dependent. HEIs in developed countries focus on intensive hands-on training and experimentation to understand these advanced technologies better.
Most sports nutrition courses abroad comprise a work placement or internship component, allowing you to work with well-known sports clubs, fitness organizations, established dieticians or nutritionists, etc. Such exposure will help you understand the practicality of the different approaches to sports and nutrition study, and also acclimatize you to the prevailing work culture. Above all, such internship experience adds value to your resume for post-qualification employment.
While sustaining the study period of a sports and nutrition course on foreign shores, you would develop close bonds with your peers, besides making meaningful connections with your alumnus, professors, and visiting industry experts. These connections can potentially yield growth opportunities for your career in the long run.
Turn your Study Abroad Dream to Reality
Admission Criteria for Sports and Nutrition Course Abroad
The eligibility conditions to enroll into a sports and nutrition course vary with programs, institutions and destinations. To give you an idea, here are the general entry requirements to pursue sports nutrition courses across study levels globally.
UK
A-levels or equivalent with specific subject requirements for select programs
USA
High School Diploma; Some programs may have specific subject requirements or demand standardized test scores
Canada
High School Diploma; Some programs may have specific subject requirements or demand standardized test scores
Australia
High School Diploma; Some programs may have additional entry requirements
Germany
Entrance requirements vary. Proof of Language proficiency is demanded of international students
France
French Baccalaureate or equivalent
Ireland
School Leaving Certificate with Specific Subject Requirements
New Zealand
High School Diploma; Some programs may have additional entry requirements
UAE
Varies by university. Generally, a relevant academic background for Master’s and Doctorate sports study is required.
Europe
Eligibility and entrance tests to study sports abroad vary by the destination and the university
UK
A relevant Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science, Nutrition, etc. Work Experience may be required
USA
A relevant Bachelor’s Degree. GRE Score may be required
Canada
A relevant Bachelor’s Degree. Work Experience may be required
Australia
A relevant Bachelor’s Degree. Work Experience may be required.
Germany
Entrance requirements vary. Proof of Language proficiency demanded of international students
France
A relevant Bachelor’s Degree.
Ireland
A relevant Bachelor’s Degree. Work Experience may be required
New Zealand
A relevant Bachelor’s Degree. Work Experience may be required
UAE
Varies by university. Generally, a relevant academic background for Master’s and Doctorate sports study is required.
Europe
Eligibility and entrance tests to study sports abroad vary by the destination and the university.
UK
A related Master’s Degree.
USA
A related Master’s Degree. GRE Score may be required
Canada
A related Master’s Degree
Australia
A related Master’s Degree.
Germany
A related Master’s Degree.
France
A related Master’s Degree.
Ireland
A related Master’s Degree.
New Zealand
A related Master’s Degree.
UAE
Varies by university. Generally, a relevant academic background for Master’s and Doctorate sports study is required.
Europe
Eligibility and entrance tests to study sports abroad vary by the destination and the university
Type of Sports and Nutrition Course
Full - Time
The conventional full-time sport nutrition degrees are delivered through rigorous on-campus coursework involving lecturers, seminars, workshops with practicing professionals, group activities like projects and presentations, and individual activities like essays, etc. The curriculum of such sports study often includes hands-on practical exposure through internships, work placements or a study-abroad term at a different foreign destination.
Dual Degree
Dual degrees or double majors allow you to pursue two related majors or qualifications in the span of one. For example, the University of Buffalo dual degree leading to a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and a Master’s in Nutrition, or the Purdue University double major program BS in Nutrition and Dietetics and BS in Fitness and Health are fine examples of intensive sports nutrition courses that helps participants gain a diverse career scope.
Part-Time
The part-time sports and nutrition course is structure and weightage-wise similar to its full-time counterpart, except for its flexible structure. Such sports study programs are perfect for working professionals willing to continue their education without a career break, allowing them to attend on-campus lectures during the evenings or weekends.
Online
You can pursue sports nutrition courses online from a remote location. Some universities want the participants to attend a short residential period besides the online classes, recorded lectures, seminars and tutorials throughout the program. The MSc in Sport and Exercise Science & Medicine from the University of Glasgow and the Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Exercise) from the University of South Australia are two such online programs you could opt for.
Sports And Nutrition Course Fees
The cost of attending Sports Nutrition Degrees varies with destinations, institutions, and programs across the different study levels. Presenting the average annual tuition fees to pursue Sports and Nutrition Courses at the most popular study-abroad destinations.
Country | Average Annual Tuition Fee |
UK | £12,000 – £30,000 |
USA | $20,000 – $60,000 (Public Universities); Higher for Private HEIs |
Canada | CAD 11,000 – CAD 35,000 |
Australia | AUD 20,000 – AUD 40,000 |
Germany | Free/low tuition at Public Universities; Private HEIs charge between €5,000 – €20,000 |
France | €200 – €1,000 (public universities); Private HEIs charge higher fees |
Ireland | €10,000 – €30,000 |
UAE | AED 50,000 – AED 120,000 |
New Zealand | NZD 22,000 – NZD 40,000 |
Europe | €1,000 – €20,000* |
*Please note that sports and nutrition course fees vary widely across European destinations. The cost of attendance of sports nutrition courses is generally lower in countries like Spain and Italy, compared to the UK and Scandinavian nations.
Duration of Courses
- Undergraduate Programs – 3 -4 years
- Postgraduate Programs – 1 – 2 years
- Doctorate Programs – 3 -5 years
Top Universities to Study Sports and Nutrition Courses Abroad
UK
- Loughborough University
- University of Birmingham
- University of Surrey
USA
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Florida
- Penn State University
Canada
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia
- University of Waterloo
Australia
- University of Sydney
- Deakin University
- Queensland University of Technology
France
- Université de Lyon
- University of Strasbourg
- University of Paris-Sud
Germany
- German Sport University Cologne
- Technical University of Munich
- University of Potsdam
Ireland
- University College Dublin
- Trinity College Dublin
- University of Limerick
New Zealand
- University of Otago
- Massey University
- Auckland University of Technology
UAE
- Zayed University
- University of Sharjah
- Khalifa University
Scholarships To Study Sports and Nutrition Course Abroad
United Kingdom
- The fully-funded Chevening Scholarships are meant for students of select nations enrolling at a UK university for postgraduate studies across disciplines. Eligible candidates must hold an unconditional admission offer into their chosen program and a minimum work experience of two years.
USA
- Deserving international graduate students, young professionals, and artists can avail of the fully-funded Fulbright Foreign Student scholarship to pursue study and research in the USA.
Canada
- The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to aid doctorate students of sports and nutrition study in the country. The award, valued at $50,000 a year for 3 years, is disbursed considering the academic excellence, research potential and demonstrated leadership caliber of the students nominated by the host institution.
Australia
- The Australia Awards is funded by the country’s federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to support international students pursuing full-time undergraduate/ postgraduate programs in any discipline at a participating Australian institution.
Germany
- The Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship: German language-proficient international students enrolling for any full-time undergraduate/ postgraduate degrees across disciplines at a German University can apply for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship.
Ireland
- The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship: International students with proven leadership qualities and pursuing higher education in any discipline across study levels in Ireland can avail of the Government of Ireland International Scholarships.
France
- The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs supports international students pursuing master’s or doctoral in biology and health, including sports nutrition courses in the country. The application is made by the host institution on behalf of the candidates.
Career Progression After Sports and Nutrition Course
After Bachelor’s:
Graduating with an undergraduate sports nutrition degree can open entry-level job opportunities in fitness training or coaching of sportspersons. You may work with individuals, teams, athletic clubs, gyms or rehabilitation centers. Your starting package will depend upon the scope of your responsibilities, location and prior experience.
After Master’s:
After completing postgraduate-level sports nutrition courses, one can get hired for mid-level positions in the domain, including management roles, earning an average package of $67,554 – $71,145. Please note that the salary figure is an estimation, and your actual compensation will depend upon several factors, such as your education, experience, job location, etc.
After PhD:
Academia-inclined candidates, after completing a doctorate in sports study, normally proceed to teaching -mentoring and further research. They can also assume leadership roles with sporting bodies and government agencies to formulate crucial sporting and nutritional policies. Salary, at this stage, is highly variable, owing to experience and expertise.
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FAQs
Why Study Abroad With UniApplica?
UniApplica provides a comprehensive solution for all aspects of student needs, covering everything required for a successful academic journey.
After completing a sports and nutrition course, you will work directly with a highly focused, driven, and competitive clientele. Here, excellent communication skills, coupled with active listening and empathy, are keys for your clients to agree with you, leading to the success of both parties. These apart, you must be capable of taking care of minute details, have strong organizational and analytical skills to assess and keep track of client needs, be motivated to work independently and also, flexible enough to work in a team besides having superb time management skills to cater to multiple clients.
A sports and nutrition course takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining exercise science, clinical nutrition and counselling. Participants of the program learn about the nutritional requirements for health and well-being, effective exercise and optimum performance. To become a professional sports nutritionist, you need a sound understanding of the physiological, psychological and social factors influencing diet and physical activity. This knowledge base, along with practical exposure, will equip you with the skills to design evidence-based dietary advice for your clientele that will take care of both their general upkeep of health and optimize performance in sporting competitions.
The job responsibilities of a sports nutritionist outlined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are:
- Counselling clients for correct nutrition suited to their individual goals
- Develop customized menu plans and dietary recommendations
- Design nutrition-rich food service programs
- Overseeing nutritional education or wellness programs for client groups
- Facilitating professional development of clients using nutrition
No, post-sports nutrition degrees, your career will not be limited to only that of a sports nutritionist. You could venture to study other sporting areas like strength and conditioning, sports psychology, biomechanics and even sports medicine.
Besides, a sports and nutrition course has much wider prospects in the health and wellness industry. With a clear understanding of the link between nutrition, dietetics and health, you will be able to work with clients having specific health and nutritional needs in the capacity of a public or private Nutritional Consultant or a Clinical Dietician at a health facility. Further, with your expert knowledge of the what-how-why of physical activity, you can advise clients on how to improve their fitness levels and general well-being as a Fitness Coach.
Sports nutritionists are specialists who understand the precise dietary requirements of sportspersons or individuals training to achieve optimum performance goals. In addition to exercise science and nutrition, they have in-depth knowledge of physiology and kinesiology and can devise diet advisories suited to the training regime of their client.
On the contrary, general nutritionists can work with a wide range of people with no particular nutrition requirement other than a healthy lifestyle. They can care for the nutritional needs of diabetic patients or individuals with weight issues.
