Exploring the Basics of Human Nutrition



Overview

A person’s body requires the ingestion and utilisation of food components to fulfil its basic functions. This is referred to as Nutrition. Humans obtain most of their nutrients from their daily eating habits. According to age and physical conditions, the needed nutrients vary.

The course 'Exploring the Basics of Human Nutrition' offers a comprehensive introduction to key principles in human nutrition and its importance, together with the main food groups. Through engaging classes, participants will explore into topics including  the evaluation of general concept of nutrition and explore the relevance and the roles of the essential nutrients and their components, dietary guidelines, and gaining a foundational understanding of how food impacts health and lifestyle. This course combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications, empowering learners to make informed dietary choices and adopt healthy eating habits. With interactive activities and examples, students will develop critical thinking skills and enhance their nutritional literacy. Whether pursuing personal wellness goals or considering a career in nutrition, this course provides an essential framework for lifelong learning and healthy living.

This course combines online study with a weekly 1-hour live webinar led by your tutor. Find out more about how our short online courses are taught.

Programme details

This course begins on the 14 Jan 2026 which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 21 Jan 2026, 2:00-3:00pm (UK time).

Week 1:  Nutrition: Overview

Week 2:  Exploring the Mechanism to Ingest Nutrients

Week 3:  Macro-nutrients: The Carbohydrates

Week 4:  The Lipids

Week 5:  Proteins: Complete and Incomplete Sources

Week 6:  Micro-Nutrients: Water-soluble Vitamins

Week 7:  Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Week 8:  Minerals 

Week 9:  Recommended Daily Energy Intake in Diet: Concepts of Energy Balance

Week 10: Planning a Healthy Meal and Hydration 

Certification

Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points 

Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework. All those enrolled on an online course are registered for credit and will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

See more information on CATS points

Digital credentials

All students who pass their final assignment will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. 

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £360.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Mrs Iris Rodriguez

Iris is a registered Nutritionist (AfN), a scholar, and a lecturer in clinical nutrition, diet, and health. She read clinical nutrition among many other degrees in project management and engineering. She is currently working on her doctoral research.

Course aims

This course aims to explore the basics of human nutrition and healthy lifestyles. It considers the different nutrients and offers a broader understanding of both the essential and non-essential ones. It also provides a clear context and comprehension of a healthy diet and evaluates the necessary nutritional values.

Course objectives:

  • To formulate a broad understanding of the key fundamental points of human nutrition to help sustain daily life activities and promote good health and lifestyle.
  • To confidently assess nutritional reading material and read scientific literature with critical thinking focused on understanding and communication.
  • To encourage to put into practice the knowledge acquired by making better food choices.

Teaching methods

This course takes place over 10 weeks, with a weekly learning schedule and weekly live webinar held on Microsoft Teams. Shortly before a course commences, students are provided with access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare students for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students. All courses are structured to amount to 100 study hours, so that on average, you should set aside 10 hours a week for study. Although the course finishes after 10 weeks, all learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished.

All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars. Tutors will also provide individualised feedback on your assignments. All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will learn from you.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be expected to:

1. Acquire an understanding of the nutrients essential to the human body and their main role;  

2. Understand how to analyse the composition and content of a healthy diet, and learn to utilise the components of proven nutrition best practices;

3. Understand relevant research articles and display critical thinking skills.

 

Assessment methods

You will be set independent formative and summative work for this course. Formative work will be submitted for informal assessment and feedback from your tutor, but has no impact on your final grade. The summative work will be formally assessed as pass or fail.

Application

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

Level and demands

This course is open to all and no prior knowledge is required.

This course is offered at FHEQ Level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments and for the weekly webinar. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours, including those spent in live webinars.

English Language Requirements

We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements please follow this link: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/english-language-requirements

IT requirements

Any standard web browser can be used to access course materials on our virtual learning environment, but we recommend Google Chrome. We also recommend that students join the live webinars on Microsoft Teams using a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone or tablet due to the limited functionality of the app on these devices.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support