Distance learning program Nutrition science (B.Sc.) – HSF

👉 The distance learning programme in Nutritional Sciences (B.Sc.) is aimed at working professionals and career changers who wish to obtain a state-recognised Bachelor’s degree without having completed the Abitur or meeting a numerus clausus (NC). You will learn the fundamentals of food processing, biochemistry, food law and quality management, as well as dietary patterns and their impact on health. The course provides practical knowledge in health promotion, prevention, nutritional psychology, and social media in the context of nutrition. With flexible start dates, you can tailor your studies individually and qualify as a certified nutrition consultant with the German Nutrition Society. The standard period of study is 6 to 8 semesters with 180 credit points.

Nutrition science (B.Sc.) at a Glance

📜 Degree Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
⏳ Duration 6 Semesters
💶 Fees
from 259 € monthly
from 14220 € total
🏫 Provider Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, UAS based in Idstein (Germany)
Quality since 1848 - also in distance learning! The department onlineplus brings the range of on-campus courses of the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences to an online distance learning format. This way, the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is positioning itself towards the future by embracing the new possibilities of teaching and learning: studies become digital, the campus becomes mobile, and the way of studying becomes more flexible.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Health & SocialNutritional Science
🎯 ECTS 180 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Here is the given text translated into English (en-GB): Scientific Foundations, Food Science, Fundamentals of Anatomy, Introductory Project on Self-Organised Learning, Communication & Presentation, General Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physiology of Nutrition I, Fundamentals of Physiology, Fundamentals of Food Processing, Food Chemistry and Analytics, Mathematics / Natural Sciences, Health Promotion & Prevention, Nutrition Science, Social Media & Online Communication, Sustainable Food Technology, Fundamentals of Molecular Nutrition, Descriptive and Inductive Statistics, Scientific Work, Applied Nutrition, Nutritional Psychology, Dietetics, Basics of Counselling and Coaching, Food Microbiology and Toxicology, Food Law & Quality Management, Nutrition in Disease, Nutrition Sociology, Practical Project on Start-Up, Bachelor's Thesis
📚 Electives Health promotion & prevention, Social Media & Content Creation, Mental Health
📅 Enrollment Anytime
🔗 More Info https://www.fernstudium-fresenius.de

Who benefits from the Distance Learning Programme in Nutritional Science (B.Sc.)?

The distance learning programme in Nutritional Science is aimed at individuals seeking a solid scientific education in nutrition – regardless of the traditional educational path. It is suitable if you work in the healthcare sector, wish to reorient or further qualify professionally, or are looking for access to a bachelor's degree without a school-leaving certificate. The programme addresses both career changers from nutrition-related professions and professionals with practical experience in health, counselling, or fitness. You particularly benefit if you want to study flexibly and independently of location and work in nutritional counselling, prevention, or the food industry after graduation.

Admission: These pathways lead to the programme

You can be admitted to the distance learning programme in Nutritional Science if you meet one of the following requirements:

  • General university entrance qualification (Abitur) or advanced technical college entrance qualification – allowing you to start directly.
  • Subject-specific university entrance qualification in a suitable subject area (admission depends on the federal state, advice may be required).
  • Professional qualification – e.g. completed vocational training of at least two years plus at least two years of professional experience in a related field. Additionally, a subject-specific university entrance exam must be passed.
  • Advanced training: persons with a passed master craftsman’s examination or advanced training of at least 400 hours (e.g. specialist, business administrator, technician) can be admitted after passing a university entrance exam.
  • Study agreement (special route): with a secondary school leaving certificate and at least three years of vocational training (final grade 2.5 or better), entry is possible if 18 ECTS are successfully obtained in the first semester or 30 ECTS in the first year. With a lower final grade, an additional aptitude test is required.

Personally, you should have an interest in scientific topics, basic understanding of biology or chemistry as well as the willingness for independent, structured learning in distance education. Communication skills for counselling situations, digital affinity for social media topics, and the motivation to continuously inform yourself about nutrition trends and prevention are helpful. A basic understanding of health-related issues as well as perseverance in self-organised online study are advantageous.

What content does the Bachelor’s distance learning programme in Nutritional Science convey to you?

In the Distance Learning Nutritional Science (B.Sc.) programme at Hochschule Fresenius, you will acquire broad, scientifically grounded knowledge about nutrition, health, and food. You start with scientific fundamentals such as General Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physiology, and Anatomy. Building on this, you will learn everything important about food processing, food chemistry and analytics, as well as product knowledge. Core subjects such as nutrition science, applied nutrition and dietetics provide you with practical know-how on nutritional approaches and the nutritional prevention and treatment of diseases.

Specialist modules such as nutritional psychology, nutritional sociology, and basics of counselling and coaching give you insight into human eating behaviour and advise you on how to best support people. The course emphasises health promotion and prevention and integrates current topics such as mental health as well as social media & online communication. The latter prepares you to convey nutritional competencies on modern platforms.

You will gain legal and economic knowledge in food law & quality management and sustainable food technology. The portfolio is complemented by mathematics/statistics, scientific work, and a practical project on business start-up. Through elective areas, you can set your individual focus – for example in health promotion & prevention, social media and content creation, or mental health. The programme is internationally oriented and includes content in cooperation with Arizona State University®.

After successful completion, you are entitled to pursue the DGE certification as a nutrition consultant – a prerequisite to invoice counselling services with statutory health insurance funds.

  • Expert knowledge: food processing, biochemistry, nutrition in illness, food law, quality management
  • Consulting competence: communication, counselling psychology, coaching
  • Media know-how: social media, digital communication, content creation
  • Practice: project management, health promotion, founding of nutrition projects

How is the process and structure of the distance learning programme organised?

The Distance Learning Nutritional Science programme is modular and comprises a total of 180 ECTS over a standard period of study of 6 to 8 semesters. You can flexibly choose between different time models – from 36 to 72 months – and can start at any time on the first of a month. All teaching is conducted digitally via the Online Campus studynet, including access to study magazines (Studymags), video lectures, interactive exercises, and the digital library.

You learn completely independently of location and set your own pace. Examinations are mainly conducted online or in the form of alternative assessments such as term papers, presentations, or open-book exams. Traditional exams are kept to a minimum and can, if required, be taken mostly digitally or at selected examination centres. For many modules, you can choose between presence and online exams.

You receive support from personal study coaches as well as from a dedicated teaching team with academically qualified and practically experienced professors. Optionally, a hybrid model (“SaturdayOnly”) for presence workshops is available, but not mandatory.

  • Start learning anytime without semester restrictions
  • Access to all teaching materials digitally or optionally as printed Studymag
  • Flexible examination formats: online exams, term papers, presentations, project work, open-book exams
  • Bachelor thesis forms the conclusion of the programme
  • Individual support by study coach, instructors & student services

What career opportunities open up for you with this degree programme?

With the Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science, you possess extensive specialised and consulting competencies for diverse career fields in the health and nutrition sector. Many graduates work as nutrition consultants (e.g. following DGE certification), for example in nutrition centres, rehabilitation clinics, or their own practice.

  • Nutrition counselling: individual counselling, group prevention, workplace health management, online courses
  • Health promotion and prevention: development of programmes in schools, companies, municipalities
  • Food industry: product development, quality assurance, marketing, food start-ups
  • Public sector and research: collaboration in scientific studies, development of guidelines, nutritional education
  • Self-employment: founding your own consulting practice, developing workshops, nutrition apps or books
  • Social media/content creation: nutrition communication, influencer activities, nutrition education via digital channels

Due to the scientific and practice-oriented design of the content, you are also qualified for a subsequent Master's degree – e.g., in Public Health, Health Management, or Nutritional Medicine.

What costs can you expect for the Distance Learning Nutritional Science programme?

The tuition fees depend on the chosen time model. In the 72-month model, you pay €259 per month, in the 48-month model €349, and in the 36-month model €395. Thanks to a discount code, reduced monthly rates are currently possible (e.g. €220.15 per month in the 72-month model, as of June 2024). The total costs amount to around €14,220 depending on the model.

The tuition fees include:

  • Access to all digital learning materials, scripts and video lectures
  • Use of the online library (e-books, journals etc.)
  • Regular examination fees (including final thesis and certificate)
  • Personal support by study coach and teaching team

Additional costs may arise if you attend voluntary presence workshops, take individual exams in presence, or order printed Studymags. Costs for technical equipment (PC, internet) and possibly costs for DGE certification after completing the programme are not included.

For financing, the university offers various options: BAföG, KfW study loan, scholarships (e.g., Deutschlandstipendium), employer funding, or tax deductibility as work-related expenses. A 15% discount for contracts signed by a certain deadline significantly reduces monthly fees for selected time models.

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