Graduate Certificate in Culinary Nutrition Science

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 2 locations

Duration
0.5 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$4656 CSP
$15972 Fee-paying

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning January 2025
Applications open August 2024
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025
Applications open April 2025

Overview

The Graduate Certificate of Culinary Nutrition Science (GCCNS) is a 40-credit point, 6-month full-time, or 12 months part-time, program. This course includes two core units in culinary nutrition science and two electives. Electives will be available from the Master of Dietetic Practice and other courses across ACU. The Graduate Certificate in Culinary Nutrition Science will be a standalone degree but also an exit point for students who do not complete the Master of Dietetic Practice.

Established in 2021, the Cobram Estate Culinary Nutrition Scholarship supports students undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Culinary Nutrition Science or related microcredentials at ACU’s Melbourne or North Sydney campuses.

Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the Courses costs section below, under Fees.

Community engagement

Students can choose to undertake a unit ‘Engaging with communities’ where principles of community engagement is integrated within the context of solving food and nutrition problems

Careers

Graduates of this program may already be employed and have upskilled or are looking to transition to a new career focus. Graduate opportunities may depend on the professional background of the individual.

Examples of the work settings the course prepares graduates for includes:

  • private or professional practice and consulting
  • food and nutrition communication, publishing and media industries
  • primary production and food industries
  • restaurant and hospitality industries
  • secondary, tertiary, corporate and community education sectors.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Professional Term 2 - Full-time

  • NUTR500 Advanced Culinary Nutrition Science in Practice ORNUTR506 Advanced Culinary Nutrition Science in Practice - Virtual

    NUTR500 - Multi-mode

    NUTR506 - Online Unscheduled

    10 cp
  • Elective Units Elective Unit 10 cp
  • Elective Units Elective Unit10 cp
  • NUTR504 Foods for Special Diets in Practice orNUTR507 Foods for Special Diets in Practice - Virtual

    NUTR504 - Multi-mode. (Pre: NUTR500 or NUTR506)

    NUTR507 - Online Unscheduled. (Pre: NUTR500 or NUTR506)

    10 cp
  • NUTR500 Advanced Culinary Nutrition Science in Practice orNUTR506 Advanced Culinary Nutrition Science in Practice - Virtual

    NUTR500 - Multi-mode

    NUTR506 - Online Unscheduled

    10 cp

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling 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

Graduate Certificate - AQF Level 8

Overseas study available

International placement will also be offered however these will be voluntary.

Entry requirements

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

International applicants must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must:

  1. have completed a Bachelor degree or higher; OR
  2. submit a resume alongside their formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

Applicants with higher education study

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

International applicants must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed a Bachelor degree or higher;

Applicants with work and life experience

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

International applicants must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must submit a resume alongside their formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.

English language requirements

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Overall score 7.0

Individual score of 7.0 in all tests

Pearson Test of English

65 with a minimum of 65 in all four communicative skills

Test of English as a Foreign Language – Academic (TOEFL)

Internet based total of 94: with a minimum of 27 in writing, 23 in speaking, 24 in reading and 24 in listening

ACU English Language Test

A (75-100%)

C1 Advanced

Overall score of 185

Individual score of 185 in all tests

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 applicants with previous study and/or life experience

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

International applicants must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must:

a.    have completed a Bachelor degree or higher;

OR

b.    submit a resume alongside their formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.

Further study

Individuals that meet the prerequisite requirements to study a postgraduate dietetics course may progress to a Master of Dietetic Practice or equivalent.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$4656 CSP
$15972 Fee-paying

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester; 
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and 
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

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

Domestic applicants

Direct application

Apply now

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.

Associate Professor Sharon Croxford

Associate Professor (Nutrition and Dietetics) and Head of Discipline Nutrition and Public Health, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences

Associate Professor Sharon Croxford is an award-winning academic with expertise across a range of teaching and food and nutrition-related professional domains. She has written on food and cooking, as well as nutrition, and has published in academic journals, magazines and newspapers both locally and overseas. Sharon has written and co-written books on Ottoman and Turkish cuisines, cheeses and preserving methods, the science of food, and food and nutrition through the life cycle. Sharon is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and has worked professionally as a dietitian/nutritionist for more than 35 years in a range of contexts including acute health care, community and public healthcare, and education. Her research interests relate to dietary acculturation and its impact on health and defining terms in culinary culture and nutrition.

 

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