Bachelor of Nutrition Science/Bachelor of Business Administration

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 2 locations

Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
CRICOS Code
095926A
IELTS
6.5 overall score (with a minimum of 6.0 in speaking, writing, listening and reading)
Fees (first year)*
$30408
Start dates
February 2026, February 2027

Overview

Nutrition Science provides an extensive knowledge and skills base in the scientific principles that underpin the study of food and nutrition, to promote health and optimal nutrition in individuals and the wider community, with the capacity to apply knowledge and skills in an ethical and respectful manner. The degree promotes the relationship between food/nutrition and health as a major contributor to wellbeing and disease prevention through the lifespan.

The Bachelor of Business Administration is a general business degree without specialisation in a particular subject area. The course is structured around six business foundation units which are common to other undergraduate business courses and a further four units that will build your business knowledge in areas such as managing money, IT, human resource management, marketing and general management.

Combining the Bachelor of Nutrition Science with the Bachelor of Business Administration will enable graduates to utilise their knowledge and skills in industry, the public service or in small business enterprises.

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  • Top 10 Catholic universities globally

  • Top 40 young universities worldwide

Professional experience

Students are required to undertake a community engagement unit where they engage in voluntary work within a not-for-profit organisation over a period of 35-70 hours. Alternatively, students in this double degree are able to select a community engagement unit within the Faculty of Health Sciences undertaking work in a selected public sector or non-profit community organisation. Visit the faculty’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) webpage to view opportunities in nutrition science. 

Professional recognition

Graduates of this degree will be eligible to apply for registration as a nutritionist with the Nutrition Society of Australian (NSA). This degree has been designed to meet the competencies deemed essential by the NSA for registration.

The degree meets the academic qualifications required for Professional Membership of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST). Note: Professional Membership of AIFST also requires three years of relevant professional experience.

Careers

Examples of the work and settings the course prepares graduates for include:

  • national and international health agencies
  • state and federal government health departments
  • public health nutrition
  • industry nutrition
  • private practice nutrition
  • nutrition assessment
  • nutrition communications
  • food science and technology industry
  • food safety and regulation
  • quality assurance
  • research and product development
  • education sector

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Specified Units - Nutrition ScienceBIOL125Human Biology 110 cp
  • Specified Units - Nutrition ScienceNUTR101Introduction to Nutrition10 cp
  • Specified Units - Business AdministrationBUSN113Managing People and Organisations

    Must be completed before other business units.

    (Inc: MGMT100, BUSD113)

    10 cp
  • Specified Units - Business AdministrationBUSN112Managing Markets

    Must be completed before other business units.

    (Inc: MKTG100, BUSD112)

    10 cp
  • Specified Units - Nutrition ScienceNUTR102Culinary Nutrition Science10 cp
  • Specified Units - Nutrition ScienceBIOL126Human Biology 2

    (Pre: BIOL125)

    10 cp
  • Specified Units - Business AdministrationBUSN104Money Matters

    Must be completed before other business units.

    (Inc: ACCT100, BUSD104)

    10 cp
  • Specified Units - Business AdministrationITEC100Information Technology in Action

    (Inc: ITED100)

    10 cp

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit. 

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Commencing Semester 2

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit. 

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Double Bachelor - Bachelor/Bachelor - AQF Level 7

Additional course information

Students become part of ACU’s national and international commitment to community engagement and outreach to populations in need, both in Australia and overseas. Students can undertake community engagement opportunities in a range of challenging and inspiring settings.

Graduates of TAFE and other VET providers, holding a cognate certificate, diploma or advanced diploma may be eligible to receive advanced standing for some units in the course. The exact level of advanced standing will be determined on a course-by-course basis.

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent

StatePrerequisites

New South Wales

Assumed knowledge: English (Advanced or Standard) (Band 3) or English as an additional language (Band 4)

Victoria

Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 25 in any other English

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

View transparency admission information

International applicants

If you’re an international applicant you’ll need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate.

Find the equivalent qualification for your country

You’ll also need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy , including the English Language Proficiency requirements.

See the language requirements

 If you’re an international student completing one of the following qualifications, you will need to apply for admission through your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and be assessed on your performance in these studies (i.e. your ATAR or equivalent):

 an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)

an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Pathways into course for international applicants

If you don’t currently meet the direct entry requirements for admission to your chosen program, don’t worry. Our range of pathway programs can help you build the language proficiency, academic skills and confidence you need to succeed. 

Find out more about English language programs 

Find out more about the ACU Foundation Studies program 

Find out more about Diploma pathways 

Further study

Bachelor degree graduates may be eligible to progress to honours study or to a range of postgraduate coursework programs, e.g. graduate certificate and graduate diploma and, through them and/or with relevant work experience, to master’s degree programs.

Fees

Course costs

  • Unit fee: $3801
  • Average first year fee: $30408
  • Estimate total cost: $121632

The tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.

Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships 

How to apply

International applicants

Melbourne

Apply through VTAC

VTAC code 1200210293

Direct application

Apply now

Information on the application procedure

International students undertaking an Australian Year 12 qualification should apply through the relevant tertiary admissions centre.

Deferment

Yes. See Defer your offer.

Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.

Staff Profile

Emma Stirling

Senior Lecturer (Nutrition and Dietetics) School of Behavioural and Health Sciences

Emma Stirling is a Senior Lecturer in nutrition and dietetics at our Melbourne campus. She is also an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and award-winning nutrition communicator. As Culinary Nutrition Science Lead Emma brings her extensive industry experience from the food, hospitality, media and health sectors to the curriculum design, teaching and research of this exciting new practice area. At ACU Emma is also responsible for helping drive partnerships and programs with a range of community, cultural and industry groups nationally and in the Asia Pacific region.

Dr Marzena Baker

Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School

Dr. Marzena Baker is an accomplished Senior Lecturer at the Peter Faber Business School. She is an alumna of Queensland University of Technology, where she obtained a PhD and Master of Business degrees. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Auckland University. Before joining ACU, she was a Lecturer in Project Management at the University of Sydney. Dr. Baker's professional experience spans over 25 years in senior corporate positions, where she has managed consumer research, marketing, and communication projects in fast-moving consumer goods, construction, and property development industry sectors. Her research has resulted in multiple conference papers and industry presentations, further demonstrating her expertise and dedication to the field.

 

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