MSc Clinical Nutrition

The MSc Clinical Nutrition at the University of Tartu, Estonia is a postgraduate, full-time Master of Science programme in Health Sciences designed for students who want to develop advanced knowledge and skills in clinical nutrition. The programme is taught entirely in English and has a nominal duration of 2 years (120 ECTS).

Programme Overview

The Clinical Nutrition master’s programme provides broad knowledge of biochemistry, physiology and metabolism, which forms the scientific foundation for clinical nutrition practice. Students learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical work, with the programme combining clinical knowledge with scientific research and medical ethics.

During the first year, students gain an overview of almost all major areas of clinical nutrition, with particular emphasis on hospital practice involving adult patients. The programme also introduces students to the principles and methods of scientific research and includes discussion of medical ethics.

The second year is primarily dedicated to a master’s research project. The research project may be completed in Tartu, in the student’s hometown, or at another academic centre.

What You Will Learn

The programme is designed to help students develop knowledge and skills in:

• Clinical nutrition
• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Metabolism
• Scientific research methods
• Medical ethics
• Hospital-based clinical nutrition
• Nutritional planning and patient care
• Critical thinking and analytical skills

After completing the programme, graduates are prepared to combine clinical and basic scientific knowledge to create nutritional plans and contribute to optimising patient care.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification, which must be obtained by the end of July.

The previous degree may be in a healthcare discipline such as:

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Dietetics
• Public health
• Psychology
• Pathology
• Physiotherapy
• Dentistry

Applicants may also have an academic background in nutrition or food-related fields, including:

• Nutrition
• Food science
• Agriculture
• Veterinary medicine

Relevant biological subjects are also accepted, including:

• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Pharmacology
• Human biology

A background in physical education and sports is also eligible.

Entry qualification documents are accepted in English or Estonian. Country-specific document requirements also apply.

English Language Requirements

All applicants must meet the University of Tartu’s English language requirements. The university specifies the acceptable English-language tests and exemption categories separately.

The programme itself is taught in English.

Motivation Letter

Applicants must submit a motivation letter in English of no more than 500 words. The final version must be uploaded before submitting the application because it cannot be edited after submission.

The motivation letter should address:

• The applicant’s interest in clinical nutrition
• Previous experience in clinical nutrition, where applicable
• The expected impact of completing the programme on future professional practice and career plans
• The applicant’s views on the relevance of research to clinical practice and improving integration between academia and patient-facing services
• Current ideas for a research topic during the master’s studies

Any research topic mentioned in the motivation letter is not binding and may change during the programme.

The motivation letter is evaluated based on:

• Fit between the applicant’s goals and the programme — 50 points
• Analytical and argumentation skills — 30 points
• Fluency and accuracy of written English — 20 points

Applicants must achieve at least 51 points in the motivation letter evaluation to be invited to the entrance interview.

Entrance Interview

The programme also includes an entrance interview. The interview evaluates the applicant’s motivation, independent learning ability, critical thinking, teamwork readiness, self-expression and English language skills.

The interview assesses:

• Motivation to study clinical nutrition and ability to self-analyse — 30 points
• Motivation for independent learning, including online learning and the master’s thesis — 30 points
• Critical thinking, reasoning and analytical skills — 10 points
• Understanding of teamwork and readiness to work in a team — 10 points
• Self-expression and English language skills — 20 points

The maximum interview score is 100 points, and a minimum of 51 points is required for a positive result.

For the stated admission cycle, entrance interviews were scheduled to take place online between 6 and 10 April 2026, with individual appointment times arranged with applicants in early April.

Programme Structure

The first year provides comprehensive coverage of clinical nutrition, with a strong focus on hospital practice and adult patients. Students also develop an understanding of scientific research and medical ethics.

The second year focuses mainly on the master’s research project, allowing students to conduct their research in Tartu, in their hometown, or at another academic centre.

Career Opportunities

The programme addresses the growing clinical need for professionals with relevant education in nutrition, particularly in areas affected by malnutrition and increasing obesity-related problems.

Graduates can apply their knowledge and skills in a range of areas, including:

• Hospitals
• Family practices
• Nursing homes
• Sports medicine
• Public health
• Food industry

The programme states that there is a need for academically certified clinical nutrition specialists in much of Europe, and completing the Clinical Nutrition master’s programme can enhance professional career opportunities.

Why Study Clinical Nutrition at the University of Tartu?

The University of Tartu states that it is ranked among the top 350 universities in the world. The Clinical Nutrition programme is presented as a specialised programme that enables graduates to combine clinical and basic scientific knowledge in order to develop nutritional plans and help optimise patient care.

The programme accepts applicants with bachelor’s degrees or equivalent qualifications in a range of health-related, nutrition, biological, and sports-related disciplines. Previous experience may be clinical, laboratory, public health or purely scientific.

The university also states that this programme is the only one of its kind in the European Union.

Tuition and Application Fee

The tuition fee for the programme is €6,800 per year.

Applicants who are not citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland must pre-pay half of the first semester’s tuition fee after receiving an admission offer.

An additional €100 one-time application fee is required. The application fee is non-refundable.

Study Location and Duration

The programme is offered in Tartu, Estonia.

• Study level: Master
• Study type: Postgraduate, full-time
• Duration: 2 years
• Workload: 120 ECTS
• Teaching language: English
• Degree awarded: MSc (Master of Science in Health Sciences — Clinical Nutrition)
• Tuition: €6,800 per year
• Application fee: €100 one-time

Application and Start Date

For the admission cycle described in the source information, the application period has ended.

The stated programme start date is 31 August 2026.

The University of Tartu provides further programme and application information through its Clinical Nutrition programme page and application guidance.