Testimonial from a student

Read an interview with a student from the Master of Science programme (MSc) in Human Nutrition:

The Theoretical Component is Very Interesting

Anne Louise Winkler Pedersen did a professional bachelor in nutrition and health, and then applied for the master’s programme in Human Nutrition. “The workload has definitely increased. But the programme is really good. So it doesn’t matter that I have to put a lot of work into it,” says Anne Louise.

Why did you choose to study Human Nutrition?

I didn’t feel I had learned enough about nutrition, and it’s an area I find really interesting.

I did a professional bachelor in nutrition and health at VIA University College in Aarhus. This did not directly qualify me for the master’s programme, so I did supplementary courses in statistics and in experimental biochemistry.

What was your future dream when you started the bachelor’s programme?

I thought I wanted to work with dietary counselling. But now I’m more interested in the theoretical element, so I’ve abandoned the idea of being a dietician.

The theory is very interesting – it appeals to me more than the psychological and practical aspects of dietary counselling. I now intend to go down the nutritional science path.  On the master’s programme we have done subjects like nutritional physiology, methodological subjects, public health and nutrition-related diseases.

Has it been hard to start the master’s programme compared to the bachelor’s programme?

The workload has definitely increased, and the amount of reading has been demanding. But the programme is really good.

I haven’t done as much physiology in the past as many of my fellow students, so I had to put many hours into it. But it ended well! I’ve really learned a lot, and the subjects are exciting. So it doesn’t matter that I have to put a lot of work into it.

Do you like the programme?

Yes, very much. It has met all my expectations. Even though it was a bit of a bore having to do supplementary courses before I could start. But that was a result of my choice. I could have chosen another bachelor’s programme.

What has it been like for you socially to move to a new city and place of education?

I’ve found it pretty easy. I already knew some people living in Copenhagen. And I lived there for a whole year before I started on the master’s programme. I moved to Copenhagen six months before I finished my bachelor’s degree, and wrote my bachelor project here in Copenhagen. I did the necessary supplementary courses in statistics and experimental biochemistry in parallel and afterwards.

How have you found social life at the university?

Really good. We started off with a few intro days where we got to know each other.

There are about 35 in our year, including 10-15 foreigners, most of whom are Norwegians. The lecturers encourage us to speak English as much as possible, so we get used to it before the exams. But if everyone around you speaks Danish, it is still easier and more natural to speak Danish.

Have you had to take on student jobs?

No, I’ve managed just with the state education grant and my savings, which are slowly being depleted. I had a student job when I lived in Aarhus, but I knew the workload would be harder on the master’s programme, so I chose not to work.

I also play sports, and wanted to continue to have the time for that, so I don’t spend all my time on a chair. But over the next few months I will be working for one of our lecturers. It’s a practical job, helping to contact a number of test subjects.

What job do you want when you are finished?

Anything related to nutrition will be fine.

Would you recommend this programme to others?

Absolutely! The academic level is good, and the courses are very relevant. It’s been a good experience.

After completing the master’s programme, Anne Louise did a PhD degree programme at the University of Southern Denmark.