Nutraceuticals in Health & NutritionNútraiceodaigh sa tSláinte ┐sa Chothú

Nutraceuticals are concentrated compounds obtained from food sources that can provide health benefits, including prevention of disease and health promotion. Examples of nutraceuticals include substances such as Omega 3, antioxidants or probiotics.

In today’s competitive food industry, and with increased consumer awareness of the link between diet and health, nutraceuticals are a dynamic and growing market sector.

This course covers a range of scientific disciplines and new nutraceutical technologies. It aims to produce contemporary food scientists capable of exploiting this growing opportunity in health and wellness.

An additional feature is that it covers the emerging area of sports nutrition and nutrigenomics.

Work Placement

You’ll undertake a three-month work placement, and a full semester in Year 4 is dedicated to an independent research project that will allow you to develop your research skills and in-depth knowledge in an area of your choice.

Study Abroad Opportunities

You may have the opportunity to complete a semester, full-year, project work or work placement abroad under the Lifelong Learning Course (LLP)/Erasmus mobility schemes or their equivalent in other countries.

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Click on the link below to view an indicative timetable for this course. Timetables are subject to change and up to date timetables will be provided to students on commencement.

View Sample Timetable

• New Product Development
• Food Technologist
• Product Technician
• Packaging Manager
• Ingredients Development (enzymes)
• Product Development Scientist
• Process Technologist
• Packaging Manager
• Quality Assurance/Control Manager/Co-ordinator
• Research and Development
• Production Manager/Planner
• Academia/Lecturer
• Research Assistant
• Lab Technician
• Brand Technologist/Specialist
• Operations Manager
• Procurement Manager
• Regulatory Affairs Officer
• Patent Agent
• Technical Author
• Writer/Journalist
• Technical Recruiter
• Account/Client Manager
• Marketing Executive
• Sales Manager Representative
• Entrepreneur
• Business Development Executive

Irish/EU Applicants

Applications from all Irish/EU citizens are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

The standard closing date to apply is February 1st. Late applications will close on May 1st. For restricted courses, the closing date is February 1st. Please see important dates on the CAO website. For a detailed guide on how to apply, please visit our CAO Hub.

International Students (Non-EU) 

Applications from international students are welcome for this programme. If you meet any of the following criteria, applications should be made directly to TU Dublin via the “Apply Now – Non-EU” link on each programme webpage.

• You hold Non-EU Nationality, and you live in a Non-EU country.
• You hold EU Nationality, but you have not lived in an EU country for 3 of the last 5 years AND you have not attended 5 years primary/secondary education in an EU country.
• You require a Student Visa to study in Ireland

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

For full details on How to Apply, Visa & Immigration Information, Accommodation Information and International Fees, please visit our International Hub.

Application Dates for Non-EU Applicants

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing September 2025 are now closed.

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing in September 2026 will open in November 2025. Applications will close in June 2026.

Advanced Entry applications are accepted to this course. For further information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. A full list of courses open for Advanced Entry are listed on the CAO website.

To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in a related area. You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:

• To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
• For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
• For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.

The course is unique in its diversity. This course and its supportive lecturing staff helped me build my distinctive skills and knowledge base through practical laboratory work, problem-based learning tasks and interactive e-learning lectures

There is a heavy focus on current advances and future directions of research which fit with the developing nature of the science. I got to study in Lund University, Sweden and this invaluable experience broadened my academic perspective and amplified my enthusiasm as I gained a sense of the overall potential of functional foods. I then carried out my final-year project in Polytechnic University, Valencia (Spain) where I furthered my understanding of how the science is developing globally.

I was awarded a scholarship by the Irish Research Council to carry out an employment-based PhD in conjunction with Trinity College Dublin and Nuritas Ltd, a young biotechnology company.

On graduation, you’ll be qualified to enter postgraduate research courses, both in Ireland and abroad, in nutraceutical research and related areas at masters or PhD level. Demand for researchers in this area is currently high and is predicted to further increase in future years.