phd dietetics uk

School of Health Professions

Phd nutrition and health.

Study for a PhD degree with the School of Health Professions and join a supportive community of researchers who are working to further understand the relationship between nutrition and health. You work on an advanced research project with a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies and are expected to fully engage with your personal skills development and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts.

Course details

Programme overview.

• This full time or part time doctoral programme is suitable for people who have a particular research question or topic in mind, and wish to explore this through independent study in order to produce an original contribution to the subject. If you aspire to a research career this is the most appropriate research degree to undertake. The research team carries out research in a range of areas of nutrition and health from dietetic practice and nutritional management of disease in childhood and adults, public health nutrition, to nutrition and ageing and nutrition and metabolism.  You will be guided by a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies and will be expected to fully engage with skills development and training and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts. Your PhD will be assessed via submission of either a written thesis (up to 80,000 words) and a viva voce (an oral examination). For full details of what doing a PhD entails at the University of Plymouth, please visit our postgraduate research degrees pages .

Entry requirements

• you'll usually need a 2:1 degree from a UK University or equivalent and an academic IELTS score of 6.5 (with no less than 6 in each component test area) or equivalent if you are a non-UK applicant
• two satisfactory academic references
• evidence of funding for the duration of your course.

Fees, costs and funding

How to apply.

• ) Apply online
• / Contact us
• ; Info for applicants
• 6 Studentships

The Doctoral College is able to answer any questions you may have about applying for or undertaking a postgraduate research degree at the University of Plymouth: [email protected] or +44 1752 587640 . 

Access our Masters of Clinical Research modules

Funding for postgraduate research students

Doctoral College

Find out more about the Doctoral College and the support it offers students, supervisors and examiners of postgraduate research at the University of Plymouth.

Our PhD students past and present

Find out about the experiences of dietetics and health PhD students

Munira Khan

Craig Cutler

Julia Eisenblaetter

Louise Wilkinson

Leanne Smewing

Ann Ashworth

Dietetics, human nutrition and health research group  .

Research Team

Professor Mary Hickson

Professor in dietetics, research group lead.

Dr Avril Collinson

Associate professor in dietetics.

Dr Clare Pettinger

Associate professor in public health dietetics.

Dr Desley White

Lecturer in dietetics.

Dr Gail Rees

Head of school.

Dr Raul Bescos Garcia

Lecturer in dietetics (physiology specialist).

Dr Tracey Parkin

Associate professor.

Dr Patricia Casas Agustench

Lecturer in nutrition.

Dr Abigail Tronco Hernandez

Dr Louise Mole

Lecturer in dietetic practice.

Dr Jen Carroll

Honorary research fellow.

• Dr Lisa Bunn , School of Health Professions Postgraduate Coordinator
• Professor Mary Hickson , Dietetics, Human Nutrition and Health Research Lead

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Food and Human Nutrition MPhil, PhD

Our Food and Human Nutrition PhD and MPhil seek to understand how food affects human health and wellbeing.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:

Start date(s):

• September 2024
• January 2025

Within your research, you'll explore how nutrition affects:

• healthy ageing
• food security
• sensory quality
• international nutrition
• personalised nutrition.

Our research is multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary. We have many expert research areas in the School. We also work across the University, through the Human Nutrition Research Centre .

Our research themes include:

Health benefits of consuming selected foods and food types. Our research looks at cardiovascular health, cancer, sarcopenia and cell damage. We'll explore:

• whole grains
• nitrate-rich vegetables
• food supplements

Elucidation of roles of fat-soluble vitamins in health and disease. We examine:

• vitamins A and D
• modelling and understanding sources
• metabolism in humans and farm animals

Medicinal properties of herbs and plant extracts. We explore the effects on:

• cognitive performance

Effects of production/processing factors on food composition & sensory quality. We look at:

• effects of organic/conventional production
• supply chain temperatures
• varieties/breeds

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our  Academic experience page , which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our  terms and conditions and student complaints information , which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Related courses

Qualifications explained.

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 - 50,000 word thesis.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications

A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.

How you'll learn

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Find out more about our postgraduate research student support

Your development

Faculty of medical sciences (fms) researcher development programme .

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

• perform better as a researcher
• boost your career prospects
• broaden your impact
• Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.

You’ll cover:

• techniques for effective research
• methods for better collaborative working
• essential professional standards and requirements
• Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

Find out more about the FMS researcher development programme

Doctoral training and partnerships

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:

• Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
• Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:

• they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
• you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
• they’re often interdisciplinary
• your PhD may be funded

Find out more about doctoral training and partnerships

If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.

The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:

• Discovery Medicine North - MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership

Your future

Our careers service.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information .

Our modern laboratories provide important teaching and research environments. They have analytical equipment such as:

• CNS analyser
• centrifuges
• spectrophotometer
• molecular biology equipment

Our specialist research facilities include:

• a tissue culture laboratory
• plant growth rooms
• a Class II laboratory for safe handling of human biological samples
• taste panel facilities and test kitchen
• a thin section facility for soils analysis

Find out more about our lab facilities

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year).

We are unable to give an exact fee, this is why the fee is shown as a range. This fee range takes into account your research topic and resource requirements.

Your research topic is unique so it will have unique resource requirements. Resources could include specialist equipment, such as laboratory/workshop access, or technical staff.

If your research involves accessing specialist resources then you're likely to pay a higher fee. You'll discuss the exact nature of your research project with your supervisor(s). You'll find out the fee in your offer letter.

Home fees for research degree students

For 2024-25 entry, we will be aligning our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) . The standard fee will be confirmed in Spring 2024 by UKRI. The Home tuition fees for this course will be updated after this confirmation. 

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here .

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See  our   searchable postgraduate funding page  for more information.  

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section .

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English language requirements, admissions policy.

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB) Other policies related to admissions

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

• How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages .

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You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

• Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Medical Sciences Graduate School Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 7002 Email: [email protected]

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

Fill in our enquiry form

Our Ncl chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.

You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.

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We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.

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• How You'll Learn
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• Entry Requirements
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PhD opportunities

Why study a PhD with us?

We offer world-leading research facilities and have a long-standing reputation for the quality of our research. 95% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2*submissions – Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences).

Fees and funding

How we support you

Life in the Department

Join a large, inclusive community, and enjoy opportunities to present your research in workshops and at conferences, and visit researchers from other institutions.

Our research

Reading has a long-standing reputation for the quality of its research in food science. 95% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences).

Our facilities

Take the next step.

• How to Apply
• Get a prospectus
• Ask us a question
• Learn about the Doctoral and Researcher College

UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences

Nutrition and Dietetics degrees

Accreditation.

• Basic Science for Non-Basic Scientists
• What is the difference between a Dietician and a Nutritionist?

Undergraduate Virtual Open Day

Join a Virtual Open Day to find out more about our programmes and get the chance to ask your questions in a live session. Book your place today.

Nutrition & Medical Sciences: Tues 23 April, 4:30pm

Our programmes

Join UCL's world-leading academic community working on obesity, child health, epidemiology, and the psychiatry of disordered eating. Our courses explore the biomedical and societal effects of the food we eat, the benefits of good diet, and the worldwide impact of unhealthy eating. Benefit from an extensive range of scientific, clinical, and educational expertise and access to world-class training, facilities, and equipment.

Nutrition and Medical Sciences, BSc

Explore nutrition at all stages of life, from cellular, whole body and global public health perspectives, on this three-year, full-time BSc degree.

• Full-time, 3 years .
• Subjects : Nutrition and Dietetics

Clinical & Public Health Nutrition, MSc / PG Dip

This master's degree focuses on over- and under-nutrition, which apply to most developed nations as well as those undergoing rapid transformation.

• Full-time, 1 year.

Dietetics, MSc (Pre-registration)

Our two-year MSc Dietetics combines academic knowledge with practice to help you become a competent, passionate, autonomous dietitian.

• Full-time, 21 months.

Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition, MSc / PG Dip / PG Cert

This is the only graduate programme available in eating disorders. It is for professionals wishing to work in the eating disorders field at a high level.

• Full-time, 1 year. Part-time, 2 years.

Obesity and Clinical Nutrition, MSc

Explore the latest evidence on treating obesity, combining state-of-the-art research, new technologies, and real-life treatment through clinical visits.

Why study Nutrition and Dietetics at UCL?

Nutrition is an important concern with global consequences. At UCL, you can learn from leading academics in the field and focus on real-life clinical case studies. Our courses contain specialist modules in a variety of areas, from human biology and nutritional science to the psychiatry of eating disorders. Find out more about studying nutrition in the heart of London.

UCL Scholarships

UCL offers a Master's Bursary and Master's Scholarships worth up to £15,000 for those from lower income backgrounds to study a taught master's degree.

Several of our courses are accredited by the Association for Nutrition, a quality kitemark for qualifications that meet the association's competence requirements.

Meet a Dietitian

Dr Adrian Brown is a Senior Research Fellow and lecturer at UCL, and also a Senior Specialist Weight Management and Bariatric dietitian.

Exceeded my expectations

The variety on our BSc Nutrition and Medical Sciences degree tempted Adriana Salame down a sports-related career avenue.

Why be a dietitian or nutritionist?

The titles 'Dietitian' and 'Nutritionist' are often incorrectly interchanged. Find out more about these distinct and important roles.

Basic science for nutrition

Some of our programmes are quite heavily biochemical. If you don't have a bioscience background, follow these tips to get started.

Shared first year for flexibility

Most BScs in Medical Sciences have a shared first year. This gives you the flexibility to switch degrees if your interests change.

A really fantastic experience

Georgia studied the MSc Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition while working and says the course has given her friends for life.

A new career perspective

The BSc Nutrition and Medical Science created opportunities for Matylda that she hadn't considered before studying at UCL.

"Help people go in the right direction"

Shahana studied the MSc in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition in London at UCL. She was a major supporter of both healthy eating and exercise and even developed her own blog while she worked on her master's degree. Follow her story and why she would recommend the course at UCL.

Sign up for updates

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Our nutrition courses will equip you with a real advantage when entering a competitive careers market. Graduates are eligible for a wide range of UK and international career opportunities and are well-equipped for further studies such as a PhD.

Depending which programme you choose, you will be able to pursue a career as a nutritionist in the health services of the UK and other countries, in the clinical nutrition or pharmaceutical industries. 

Students who are health professionals can apply for relevant clinical and research positions at a senior level. We address the needs of professionals working in clinical services in the field of eating disorders and elsewhere.

“ I made a very sudden decision to study nutrition instead of medicine, partly due to the huge amount of misinformation I was seeing online around nutrition and health. I chose UCL because of its academic reputation and thoroughly enjoyed the course. Without the MSc I would not be working as a nutritionist now, with my own private practice. The presentation skills also paid off as I now do more media work, both TV and radio, as a nutrition expert, as well as science communication through social media and publishing a book. Pixie Turner, Registered Associate Nutritionist.

Did you know?

• UCL Alumni Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins won a Nobel Prize for the discovery of growth-stimulating vitamins.
• UCL Professor Sir Jack Drummond designed the wartime diet or rationing, since regarded as the healthiest period in British History.
• 12.4% of people aged 18+ with obesity have diagnosed diabetes, five times that of people with healthy weight.
• In the UK, the estimated cost of overweight, obesity and related morbidity to the NHS was £4.2 billion in 2007. This is predicted to reach £9.7 billion by 2050.
• UCL is ranked 7th for Clinical and Health in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by subject.

Our research in Nutrition and Dietetics

As a global leader in nutrition research, UCL examines the incidence and associated problems on a worldwide scale of nutrition-related epidemiology, child health, overnutrition, undernutrition and the psychology behind disordered eating. We publish in high-ranking journals and regularly appear on TV and radio to discuss vital topics around nutrition, diet and health.

Discussing diabetes remission on The Dietitian Café

Dr Adrian Brown joins co-authors on the Dietitian Café podcast to discuss their new landmark review exploring dietary strategies for the remission of type 2 diabetes.

Academic follows ultra-processed diet for documentary

Dr Chris Van Tulleken featured in a 2021 BBC One documentary, 'What are we feeding our kids?'. He ate ultra-processed food for one month, to highlight the harm it causes the body and brain.

Our teaching leads

Dr Adrian Brown

Prof. Nathan Davies

Dr Anastasia Kalea

Dr Efstathia Papada

Prof. Paul Robinson

Dr Adrian Slee

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• Postgraduate study

Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z

• Staff research interests search

Postgraduate research  

Nutrition PhD/iPhD/MD/MSc (Research)

Research on nutrition at Glasgow covers a wide range of areas including gut, food and metabolism as well as diet and chronic disease at MSc, MD and PhD level.

Research projects

Iphd self-funded projects (november-april).

Our  Integrated PhD combines an MSc and PhD project in a 1+3+1 format. You can select from the below projects and indentify your chosen MSc from the options listed on the project.

Please note that you can apply for the below PhD projects outwith the IPhD route.

Dietary Fibre Impact in Healthy Children

Supervisors : Dr Ada Garcia ,  Prof. Christine Edwards

MSc choice :  Human Nutrition [MSc(MedSci)]

Summary : The impact of dietary fibre in health and disease prevention in adults is well established but very limited evidence exists for children. Public health recommendations are to increase dietary fibre intake but this is not achieved across all age groups. This PhD will aim to 1) study health effects of different types of dietary fibre in healthy children of different ages and 2) design strategies to improve dietary fibre consumption in children.

The methodologies to be used will include a combination of in vivo feeding studies and lab related techniques. Feeding intervention in children and families will employ non-invasive tools to study health effects of fibre in childhood (e.g. dietary assessment, satiety questionnaires, markers of gut health) and/or in vitro fermentation models using faecal material to study fermentation capacity for different dietary fibres, gut microbiota composition and production of bioactive molecules such as short chain fatty acids and other markers of gut health.

Tailored Interventions to address Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM)

Supervisors :  Dr Ada Garcia ,  Prof. Charlotte Wright

Summary : Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) remains a public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. The treatment of MAM varies between countries depending on policies and local protocols. In many countries the first treatment approach is to supply all screened children with ready to use lipid-based supplement foods, with only limited history taking, assessment or dietary counselling, although high energy lipid-based supplement foods are expensive and of limited efficacy.

This PhD programme of studies will develop preparatory work to undertake a randomised control trial that uses a tailored approach based on identifying eating and feeding behaviours that are modifiable and prone to intervention. The student will work with existing partners in one or more middle-income countries to study and compare existing treatment programmes and help develop and pilot standardised counselling approaches. The PhD programme could also include behavioural experiments or health economic elements, depending on the background of the student.

The gut, food and metabolism research section has a portfolio of research which spans the life cycle from birth to adulthood. Research projects deal with the digestion and absorption of foods and food components, interactions with gut microflora, metabolism of nutrients and non-nutrient food ingredients, impact on plasma lipids and insulin resistance in normal subjects and in adult and child patients.

The diet and chronic disease research group has pioneered new research methods in a portfolio of research which spans the full spectrum of translational research.

Research projects are often jointly supervised accross our research institutes.

Study options

• Duration:  3/4 years full-time; 5 years part-time

Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.

Integrated PhD programmes (5 years)

Our  Integrated PhD  allows you to combine masters level teaching with your chosen research direction in a 1+3+1 format. 

International students with MSc and PhD scholarships/funding do not have to apply for 2 visas or exit and re-enter the country between programmes. International and UK/EU students may apply.

Taught masters level modules are taken alongside students on our masters programmes. Our research-led teaching supports you to fine tune your research ideas and discuss these with potential PhD supervisors. You will gain a valuable introduction to academic topics, research methods, laboratory skills and the critical evaluation of research data. Your grades must meet our requirements in order to gain entry on to your pre-selected PhD research project. If not, you will have the options to pay outstanding MSc fees and complete with masters degree only.

Years 2, 3 and 4

PhD programme with research/lab work, completing an examinable piece of independent research in year 4.

Thesis write up.

MSc (Research)

• Duration : 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

MD (Doctor of Medicine)

• Duration : 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time (for medically-qualified graduates only)

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

• 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:

Toefl (ibt, my best or athome).

• 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18;Writing 21
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

• 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

• 176 overall, no subtest less than 169

Oxford English Test

• Oxford ELLT 7
• R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
• W&S: OIDI level no less than 6

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

• students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country  and  within the last 6 years
• students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country  and  within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses

Fees and funding

• UK: £4,786
• International & EU: £30,240

Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

• Fee status and policies

Alumni discount

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.

Possible additional fees

• Re-submission by a research student £540
• Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
• Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
• Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

The iPhD  is not supported by University of Glasgow Scholarship/Funding

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences  Graduate School  provides a vibrant, supportive and stimulating environment for all our postgraduate students. We aim to provide excellent support for our postgraduates through dedicated postgraduate convenors, highly trained supervisors and pastoral support for each student.   Our overarching aim is to provide a research training environment that includes:

• provision of excellent facilities and cutting edge techniques
• training in essential research and generic skills
• excellence in supervision and mentoring
• interactive discussion groups and seminars
• an atmosphere that fosters critical cultural policy and research analysis
• synergy between research groups and areas
• extensive multidisciplinary and collaborative research
• extensive external collaborations both within and beyond the UK 
• a robust generic skills programme including opportunities in social and commercial training

How to apply

Identify potential supervisors.

All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search .

IPhD applicants do not need to contact a supervisor, as you will choose from a list of IPhD projects. Each project has named supervisors.

Gather your documents

Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

• Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
• Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document
• Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional [except iPhD applicants, where only one academic or professional reference is required]. References may be uploaded   as part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference.  We can also accept confidential references direct to  [email protected] , from the referee’s university or business email account.
• Research proposal, CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area. iPhD applicants do not need to submit any of these as you will start your programme by choosing a masters.
• Completed  College of MVLS Postgraduate Research Cover Letter

Notes for iPhD applicants

• add 'I wish to study the MSc in (select MSc from IPhD project choices) as the masters taught component of the IPhD' in the research proposal box
• For supervisor name, please ensure you write the named supervisors from your chosen IPhD project.

Before you apply

PhD/MSc/MD: email  [email protected]

iPhD: email  [email protected]

After you have submitted your application

PhD/MSc/MD/iPhD:  contact our Admissions team

Any  references  may be submitted by email to:  [email protected]

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Attend an open day

PhD/MPhil Nutrition / Entry requirements

Year of entry: 2024

• View full page

Academic entry qualification overview

We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

English language

For applicants whose first language is not English, or if you have not studied recently in the UK, you must provide evidence of how you meet the English Language requirement.

We mainly accept IELTS or TOEFL tests. Please note IELTS and TOEFL are only valid for two years.

We require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall or TOEFL (iBT) 90. Each component of the English test should meet the minimum requirement of IELTS 5.5 in all components, TOEFL (iBT 22). For the  writing component , we expect you to have achieved a minimum of 6.0 (IELTS).

If your IELTS or TOEFL expires before the start of your programme, you will need to take another official English test before we can issue you with a CAS for your visa application. This is a requirement of UKVI.

For more information about English language tests see English language requirements .

Please contact us at [email protected] for further information.

English language test validity

Other international entry requirements.

Research opportunities

Food science and nutrition.

Expertise of research area 3D Multiphase Structures; Cancer; digestion; food; food colloids; food design; food processing; food safety; food science; food security; functional biopolymers; global health; lifestyle interventions; metabolic disease; nutrition; nutrtional epidemiology; obesity; soft matter

We are recognised as world leaders in food colloids and diet and health. We apply fundamental scientific principles to address issues of food quality, safety and sustainability, diet quality and consumer behaviour, from food production to the consumer’s plate.

<p>Our research is supported by dedicated and experienced technical staff and&nbsp;<a href="http://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-research-innovation/doc/research-facilities">first-class facilities</a>.&nbsp;This allows us to scientifically develop new processes and products, and analyse the quality and composition of foods from the macro- to the nanoscale.</p> <p>100% of our research has either &lsquo;outstanding&rsquo; or &lsquo;very considerable&rsquo; impact, according to the latest Research Excellence Framework.</p> <h3>Our research</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-our-research/doc/digestion-delivery-1">Digestion and delivery</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-our-research/doc/food-colloids-soft-matter-interfaces-1">Food colloids and soft matter interfaces</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-our-research/doc/food-safety-food-security-global-health">Food safety, food security and global health</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-our-research/doc/functional-biopolymers-food-health-1">Functional biopolymers for food and health</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-our-research/doc/human-nutrition-lifestyle-interventions">Human nutrition and lifestyle interventions</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-our-research/doc/novel-food-design-processing-1">Novel food design and processing</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-our-research/doc/nutritional-epidemiology-1">Nutritional epidemiology</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-our-research/doc/obesity-cancer-metabolic-disease-1">Obesity, cancer and metabolic disease</a></li> </ul> <p>We have project&nbsp;opportunities for postgraduate researchers, and we welcome&nbsp;new proposals that match our areas of expertise. You&rsquo;ll join a friendly, supportive and diverse community of postgraduate researchers who come from all over the world.</p> <h5>Why do your PhD at Leeds?</h5> <p><strong>Study in an active research environment&nbsp;</strong><br /> Studying your PhD with us means you&rsquo;ll be working in a professional research environment, using UK-leading facilities to bring your project to life &ndash; alongside active researchers who are at the forefront of their area.&nbsp;<br /> <strong>A strong network of support &nbsp;</strong><br /> The Leeds Doctoral College connects our community of researchers and can offer you the guidance, services and opportunities you&rsquo;ll need to get the most out of your PhD.&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Close industry links&nbsp;</strong><br /> Our partnerships and links to companies and academic institutions give you the opportunity to network at industry talks, seminars and conferences, building connections that&#39;ll benefit your next steps after you complete your PhD.&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Professional skills development &nbsp;</strong><br /> We think of the whole picture at Leeds. That&rsquo;s why we offer a range of workshops and courses that&#39;ll enhance your skillset further and transfer into your professional career.&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Personal and wellbeing services&nbsp;</strong><br /> Mental health and wellbeing support are integral to who we are at Leeds and you&rsquo;ll have access to the full range of services we offer to ensure you&rsquo;re feeling your best &ndash; and reaching your potential in your studies.&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Join our global community&nbsp;</strong><br /> We welcome students, researchers, academics, partners and alumni from more than 140 countries, all over the world. This means, as a university, we&rsquo;re bringing together different cultures and perspectives which helps strengthen our research &ndash; and societal impact.</p> <h3>Useful links and further reading:</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-research-degrees">Research degrees in the School of Food Science and Nutrition</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-research-innovation">School of Food Science and Nutrition, Research&nbsp;and Innovation</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leeds Doctoral College</h3> <p>Our <a aria-label="Link Doctoral College" href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-leeds-doctoral-college" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-leeds-doctoral-college">Doctoral College</a> supports you throughout your postgraduate research journey. It brings together all the support services and opportunities to enhance your research, development and overall experience.</p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University&#39;s website</a>.</p>

<p>For general enquiries and details regarding the application process, please contact the Graduate School Office:</p> <p>e:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><a href="mailto:[email protected]" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">[email protected]</a></span></span>, t: +44 (0)113 34 36333</p>

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Nutritional Sciences PhD/MPhil

• Full-time: Up to 4 years
• Part-time: Up to 8 years
• Start date: Multiple start dates
• UK fees: £5,100
• International fees: MPhil - £30,200 or £35,750 depending on the nature of your project / PhD - up to £52,500 per year

Research overview

The overarching theme of the school's  nutritional sciences research group  is the scientific understanding and improvement of nutrition for both humans and animals.

The main areas of research include:

• control and manipulation of the nutritional and processing quality of animal and plant products, including texture of fruit and meat products
• nutritional enhancement of fat and protein content in animals
• control of growth of farm animals, especially nutrient-gene interactions and synchronising the supply of energy and nitrogen
• nutritional evaluation of feed for animals, such as the effect of dietary tannins on parasitic infections
• programming and health
• diet-health interactions in man, including nutrient-gene interactions
• the effect of dietary components (fatty acids, proteins, micronutrient and antioxidants) on health and disease processes
• the molecular basis of nutrient signalling
• population based studies in human nutrition and dietetics
• food analysis and authentication (micronutrient assessment, proximate analysis, food bioactives)

To view our areas of research in clinical nutrition, please see our Clinical Nutrition PhD page. 

Course content

A PhD is an independent in-depth research project. You will be able to develop additional skills through training programmes to help you complete your PhD. See the support section for more details.

In each year you will have a regular meetings with your supervisor and an annual review.

An MPhil is a shorter research degree. You will do a research project over one to two years. You'll have a supervisor to support you. An MPhil is assessed by a research thesis.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

For all of our research degrees, the first step is to identify one or more supervisors you would like to work with.

To do this, look through our  academic staff research interests . We strongly encourage contacting supervisors before making a formal application, to discuss potential research projects and to ensure the best application possible.

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice .

As a student on this course, we do not anticipate any extra significant costs, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books and journals you’ll need through our libraries.

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

The school believes that formal training and guidance are critical components of the postgraduate experience and have developed specific and generic training which are available for all postgraduates.

Project-related training is provided by the supervisors and other staff within the school. You will have frequent contact with your supervisor, often on a weekly or even daily basis, and there is a formal requirement for at least 10 recorded meetings per year.

Teaching is typically delivered by professors, associate and assistant professors. Some practical laboratory sessions and research projects may be supported by postdoctoral research fellows.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services , including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer .

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

Sutton bonington campus.

Sutton Bonington Campus combines world-leading laboratories with a countryside location, just a few miles from the city of Nottingham. The campus is home to over 2,500 biosciences and veterinary medicine students.

You will have access to student services, a library, sports centre and places to eat. Specialist facilities include the super lab, food processing pilot plant, glasshouses and University farm. 

You can travel to  University Park Campus  in around 25 minutes on our free hopper bus.

Food, Nutrition & Dietetics

The division contains a range of modern facilities including:

• a fully equipped dietetics laboratory for the preparation of modified diets
• clinical consulting rooms for taking anthropometric assessments and blood samples
• an extensive array of rheological techniques for the physio-chemical analysis of food
• cell culture facilities
• controlled growth incubators
• new liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Related courses

Food sciences phd/mphil/mres, clinical nutrition phd, biosciences phd/mphil/mres, research excellence framework.

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 01 August 2023 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

2024 Sullivan Award winners lead with compassion, service to others

• Published April 18, 2024
• College Events , Featured News , Student Spotlight

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 18, 2024) — Two University of Kentucky students and one local citizen have received UK’s highest honor for humanitarian efforts — the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.

Established by the New York Southern Society in 1925 and named for its first president, Algernon Sydney Sullivan, the award recognizes those “who exhibit Sullivan’s ideals of heart, mind and conduct as evince a spirit of love for and helpfulness to other men and women.” After the society closed, the award has lived on through the Sullivan Foundation and is given at several universities in the South.

At UK, the Sullivan Award is bestowed each year on two graduating seniors and one citizen who has a connection to the university. This year’s Sullivan award student winners are Emmanuel Dhemby Moussabou and Kotomi Yokokura. Alexandra “Alex” Simpson, who passed away in 2022, is the citizen award recipient.

Kotomi Yokokura

Kotomi Yokokura, of Northern Kentucky, will graduate this May with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Social Work (CoSW).

While Yokokura, also a Lewis Honors College student, has academically excelled throughout her time at UK, her true passion is advocacy.

During her freshman year, Yokokura founded the “Take a Tampon” initiative — hosting a donation drive to ensure ample supply of hygiene products across campus. After much research, she realized how prevalent period poverty is and how detrimental it can be to not only one’s mental and physical health, but their academic success.

Yokokura also sought collaborative partnerships with other institutions, including the University of Louisville, to address this issue on higher education campuses, in low-income middle and high schools, and at homeless shelters across the state. Additionally, she met with State Sen. Harper Angel, the sponsor of a bill providing menstrual products in schools and created research documents to contribute to the cause.

Yokokura’s work in the community also includes two other important societal issues.

Yokokura has assisted with research on the migration of those experiencing homelessness in relation to community services available with Andrew Sullivan, Ph.D., (a graduate of the UK Martin School of Public Policy and Administration). She also completed a study on the perceptions and utilization of social support among men experiencing homelessness with Natalie Pope, Ph.D. (CoSW).

Yokokura has a published peer-reviewed journal article on homelessness in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s “Cityscape.”

Additionally, she contributed to a survey research project through the UK Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment that explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted college students’ psychosocial health, formal and informal support utilization, employment, food insecurity, and social behaviors, which was published by the Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs. She is also part of the Chellgren Student Fellowship program at UK.

Despite her many community service endeavors, when asked, Yokokura said she’s most proud of her awareness and prevention work surrounding sexual assault. Her efforts consisted of researching the prevalence of these experiences and testifying about her own experience in support of HB 288.

“No matter who you are or what you are studying, your voice and efforts can be impactful. The people at the University of Kentucky have been instrumental in both my academic and advocacy efforts — going out of their way to help a student they may not have known,” she said. “The faculty I have had the pleasure of working with have gone out of their way to empower my pursuits in the field of research, nonprofit work and advocacy. Without these individuals, I would not be where I am today.”

Emmanuel Dhemby Moussabou

Emmanuel Dhemby Moussabou will graduate from the Clinical Leadership and Management program in the College of Health Sciences this May.

Dhemby Moussabou was born in Tchibanga, Gabon, a small town on the west coast of Africa. From a young age, his goal in life has been to help others. Even if it is in a small way, Dhemby Moussabou has worked to provide relief when possible and encourage anyone who may be disheartened.

At UK, Dhemby Moussabou is recognized for his experiences in community involvement, campus engagement, academic success and professionalism. He demonstrates intuitive leadership skills driven by his passion for faith and serving others.

“Much of this stems from an ardent desire to better the lives of those I encounter, which primarily includes my community and the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Dhemby Moussabou said.

In addition to his academic success, Dhemby Moussabou serves as a Presidential Student Ambassador and College of Health Sciences Student Ambassador. Upon graduation, he will serve as a UK Alumni Ambassador. He is also actively involved in YWCA Black Achievers program and has provided support and leadership for the BCTC A Few Good Men Initiative.

Dhemby Moussabou is proactive and always finds ways to help his peers, patients, families and communities. He is constantly demonstrating excellence of character and humanitarian service. He has overseen soccer camps for children, helped young students with reading and served members at his church through worship and Sunday school.

As part of his undergraduate studies in the College of Health Sciences, Dhemby Moussabou is completing his advanced professional practicum experience working with CHI St. Joseph Health’s leadership team. He spends his time learning and working on advocacy and finance projects while demonstrating high levels of leadership. He has received outstanding assessments of his skills, engagement and commitment to quality health care.

“It makes me so happy to know that the people around me notice the work I do to try to help others,” Dhemby Moussabou said. “I feel extremely honored to have even been considered for this award.”

Alexandra Simpson

Alexandra “Alex” Simpson of Lexington is remembered as a bright, compassionate young woman who used every moment of her short life to advocate for children with cancer.

Growing up immersed in the arts, Simpson understood the importance of creative expression and the healing capabilities of art, especially for children. She was a talented singer, actor and dancer; she found her home on the stage, appearing in 22 stage productions. Throughout her recurring battle with a rare form of Ewing’s sarcoma, Simpson raised funds for her fellow patients, supporting art and music therapy at Kentucky Children’s Hosptial (KCH). According to her mother, Simpson found the arts healing throughout her cancer journey. She knew if she could get patients and families out of their rooms for painting, singing, knitting and watching others perform, it would lift their spirits.

She became an advocate for other children in the hospital to experience a life enriched by the arts, leading to the establishment of the Simpson Family Theater. The theater is a space for children at KCH to participate in art projects, theater productions, storytelling, holiday parties, music and more. This opportunity for creative expression offers a much-needed reprieve for patients. Wanting to make sure all patients had the chance to find healing through art, Simpson also founded her own music therapy fund to ensure that KCH patients had the option to receive music therapy during their inpatient stays.

Simpson graduated from Dartmouth cum laude in 2022 during her third battle with cancer. She majored in French and psychology and had plans to attend law school. She found her calling in supporting children with cancer, and intended to use her law degree to be an advocate for pediatric patients and health care providers.

Simpson’s cancer was rare, and she believed researching her cancer would save lives. She gave her tumor to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for research and established the Alexandra Simpson Pediatric Oncology Research Fund to help educate doctors and researchers and to give children like herself a chance against rare forms of cancer. She encouraged genetic mapping of her tumors to help other sarcoma patients. She also worked as a research assistant in the lab of her oncologist, John D’Orazio, M.D.

Simpson passed away at age 22, having faced cancer three times with grace and courage. Her generous spirit lives on, touching the lives of not just KCH patients, but children at Central Christian Church, Lexington Theater Company, The Lexington School, Lexington Children’s Theater, Dartmouth University’s French program and Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates through endowed funds established in her memory.

Drawing inspiration from A.A. Milne’s Eeyore who said “weeds are flowers too,” Simpson’s mother, Melanie, stated in a reflective statement that her daughter spent her short life turning the weed of cancer into a bouquet of beautiful and stunning “flowers” for many people and organizations.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It’s all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.

For 85 years, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) has been a leader in social work education. As a college, we promote community and individual well-being through translational research and scholarship, exemplary teaching, and vital community engagement. We are committed to the people and social institutions throughout Kentucky, the nation, and the world. Like the University, CoSW is an organization that cultivates a diverse academic community characterized by interpersonal fairness and social justice. We are fiercely committed to developing outstanding social work professionals — leaders who will serve individuals, families, and communities through innovative and effective practices that are guided by cultural competency, systematic ethical analysis, and a keen and pragmatic understanding of the human condition.  

UK College of Social Work Hosting 22nd Annual Rosenstein Lecture

New Era of You: UK Social Work Celebrates the Sarah Bennett Holmes Awards 

Empowering Children and Families: Q&A with Tara Pulaski, CJA and CRP Program Coordinator

• April 18, 2024