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Course type
Qualification, university name, phd degrees in nutrition and dietetics.
17 degrees at 14 universities in the UK.
Customise your search
Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study
About Postgraduate Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and dietetics is a field of applied science which focuses on the science of food, nutrition and their impact on human health. It encompasses a range of topics related to diet, lifestyle and overall well-being, and professionals in the field work to promote good dietary habits, prevent and manage diseases and provide individuals with personalised advice.
A PhD in nutrition and dietetics is the highest formal qualification which can be studied at university. It is an advanced programme that is designed for people seeking to conduct original research, often aiming to build new knowledge in areas such as nutrition-related diseases, dietary interventions and public health nutrition.
For PhD entry, you’ll usually need a postgraduate qualification in nutrition and dietetics, or a related health science or biochemistry-oriented field, as well as a significant amount of professional experience. There are 13 PhD courses in the UK, offered by 11 different universities.
What to expect
You can expect to spend three to four years studying a full-time course, or four to six years if you choose to attend on a part-time basis. Typically, you’ll work on a research project with a small supervisory team of academic experts, and there’s a high likelihood you’ll collaborate with other allied health researchers and professionals to build an interdisciplinary approach to your work.
You may choose to specialise in a particular area such as public health nutrition, management of disease in children or adults, or the effect of diet in ageing and the metabolism. You will write a thesis which is typically 50,000 to 100,000 words in length, and your research will contribute new insights to the field.
You’ll graduate with the ability to make a significant impact on public health and nutrition, and with the experience to take on senior roles in a wide range of organisations.
Related subjects:
- PhD Nutrition and Dietetics
- PhD Dietetics
- PhD Food Science
- PhD Food Science and Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics
- PhD Food Technology
- PhD Nutrition
- Course title (A-Z)
- Course title (Z-A)
- Price: high - low
- Price: low - high
PhD Food Policy, Nutrition and Diet
University of hertfordshire.
A University of Hertfordshire research degree is an internationally recognised degree signifying high levels of achievement in research. Read more...
- 3 years Full time degree: £5,925 per year (UK)
Nutrition PhD
University of glasgow.
Research on nutrition at Glasgow covers a wide range of areas including gut, food and metabolism as well as diet and chronic disease at Read more...
- 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
- 5 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
- 5 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)
Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences PhD
Newcastle university.
Explore cutting-edge health science research across biomedical, nutritional, and sport science disciplines with our MPhil and Read more...
- 36 months Full time degree
- 72 months Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)
Clinical Nutrition PhD
University of nottingham.
Internationally renowned for research on nutrition and metabolism, healthy aging, public health dietetics and the prevention of chronic Read more...
- 4 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)
- 8 years Part time degree
PhD Nutrition and Health
University of plymouth.
Study for a PhD degree with the School of Health Professions and join a supportive community of researchers who are working to further Read more...
- 4 years Part time degree: £3,180 per year (UK)
Food Business and Nutrition Science PhD
University of west london.
Research in the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism (LGCHT) focuses on exploring innovation within the food sector. We Read more...
- 4 years Full time degree: £3,995 per year (UK)
- 6 years Part time degree: £2,000 per year (UK)
MPhil/PhD Clinical Sciences and Nutrition
University of chester.
The Department has a very strong presence in postgraduate education offering well established MSc degrees in the following areas of Read more...
Food and Human Nutrition MPhil, PhD
Our Food and Human Nutrition PhD and MPhil seek to understand how food affects human health and wellbeing. Within your research, you'll Read more...
- 36 months Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
Nutritional Sciences PhD
The overarching theme of the school's nutritional sciences research group is the scientific understanding and improvement of nutrition Read more...
- 3 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)
- 6 years Part time degree
Obesity and Endocrinology PhD
University of liverpool.
The Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease researches clinical aspects of obesity and diabetes in humans, with particular reference to Read more...
- 2 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
- 4 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)
University of Manchester
Programme description Our PhD/MPhil Nutrition programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Read more...
- 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)
Exercise, Nutrition and Health PhD
University of bristol.
A PhD in Exercise, Nutrition and Health equips students with the skills and experience to apply research methods and the tools to Read more...
- 4 years Full time degree: £4,758 per year (UK)
- 8 years Part time degree: £2,379 per year (UK)
PhD/MPhil Food and Nutritional Sciences
University of reading.
Our research spans all aspects of food and nutrition, from farm to fork and beyond. We offer interdisciplinary research projects in a Read more...
Nutrition and Health Phd
University of aberdeen.
Basic, policy and industry informed research on the impact of human nutrition on cells, tissues, whole body and population health. The Read more...
Human Nutrition, Dietary Patterns and Physical Activity PhD
Abertay university.
The food and drink industry is extremely important to the UK/Scottish economy and Abertay research within the Division of Engineering and Read more...
- 3 years Full time degree: £4,829 per year (UK)
- 6 years Part time degree: £2,415 per year (UK)
PhD Nutrition Innovation Centre for food and HEalth (NICHE)
Ulster university.
Our mission in NICHE is the achievement of global excellence in nutrition research and education. Our nutrition research activities are Read more...
- 6 years Part time degree: £2,390 per year (UK)
PhD Food, Nutrition and Health
Course type:.
- Full time PhD
- Part time PhD
Qualification:
Related subjects:.
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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: £5,350
- International fees: MPhil - £32,400 or £35,750 depending on the nature of your project / PhD - up to £56,400 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:
- Population based studies to assess nutrient status and health including areas like for example, dietary choice impacts, financial impacts, and effects of nutrition on fertility, pregnancy, and early infant outcomes
- Diet-health interactions in humans, including nutrient-gene interactions, cohort analysis and interventions, MRI imaging, and the influence of health and disease(s) such as obesity and diabetes on digestive process and nutrient utilisation
- Sustainable nutrition. The identification of novel protein sources for human and animal nutrition, mineral nutrition, and novel carbohydrates sources
- Nutritional enhancement of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to enhance food quality,
- Food analysis and authentication (micronutrient assessment, allergenicity and novel routes of exposure, proximate analysis, food bioactives, metabolomics)
- The effect of dietary components (fatty acids, proteins, micronutrient and antioxidants) on health and disease processes
- Gastrointestinal models of nutrient bioavailability and utilisation
- The molecular basis of nutrient signalling
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 2025 entry.
Qualification | PhD/MPhil |
---|---|
Degree | 2:1 (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject or 2:2 (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject with a merit at masters. Other qualifications may also be accepted. |
Qualification | PhD/MPhil |
---|---|
Degree | 2:1 (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject or 2:2 (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject with a merit at masters. Other qualifications may also be accepted. |
International and EU equivalents | We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our . |
IELTS | 6.5 (6.0 in each element) |
English language requirements | As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other . This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. |
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.
Qualification | PhD | MPhil |
---|---|---|
Home / UK | £5,350 | £5,350 |
International | £32,400 for low-cost projects, £35,750 for high-cost lab-based, £44,000 for technically intensive or specialised projects with high consumable costs, or £56,400 for exceptional technically intensive or specialised projects with high consumable costs. An assessment will be made on receipt of your project proposal and confirmed in your offer letter. For details, contact [email protected] | £32,400 or £38,400 depending on the nature of your project. An assessment will be made on receipt of your project proposal and confirmed in your offer letter. For details, contact [email protected] |
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 July 2024 . 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.
MPhil or PhD or Masters by Research
Find a course
Start dates.
January 2024 / September 2024
Application deadline
Please allow at least four months between submitting your application and your expected start date, especially if you are an international student arranging a visa.
Course length
Full time: 2 - 3 years
Part time: 3 - 4 years
Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work
Funding status
Self-funded
Browse our research
How to apply
Contact [email protected]
A research degree in Nutrition allows you to:
- develop your skills
- contribute to internationally recognised research
- be supported by skilled staff and a vibrant research student community.
We offer a number of flexible part-time and full-time research degree opportunities including MSc by research, MPhil, PhD and PhD by published work.
To get an overview of the research and groups within the department, and the areas where we can support research degree projects, take a look at our Research Centres and Groups page .
Research expertise
Underpinned by the work of our research centre, the department is at the forefront of research in a number of fields.
Institutes and Centres
- Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health
- Clinical Applied Nutrition (CAN)
Degree routes
All students enrol as probationer research students. During the first year you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes.
Masters by Research
These research degrees run for one year full time or two years part time and allow students to critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic and combine the equivalent of up to one semester’s taught programme (focusing on research training) with a major research project. As with other research degrees, they are examined by thesis and viva.
Length of study : Full-time: 1 year. Part-time: 2 years.
Entry requirement : The minimum entry requirement for the degree of MA, MSc and LLM by Research is a lower second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.
If you undertake an MPhil you will:
- critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic
- demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
- Present and defend a substantial thesis by viva.
Length of study : Full-time: 2 years. Part-time: 3 years.
Entry requirement : The minimum entry requirement for an MPhil degree, or an MPhil with the intention of transferring to a PhD, is a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.
Applications are also welcomed from those holding qualifications other than the above and will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed. You will be required to provide the names of two academic referees.
MPhil with the possibility of transfer to a PhD
A candidate registered initially for an MPhil may be able to transfer to a PhD, and has to complete a transfer process within the Faculty, once sufficient progress has been made on the work to provide on the evidence of the development to PhD.
This is normally after 18 months of full-time study or 24-26 months of part-time study). Transfer comprises three main elements:
- a 1000 word transfer report which should be sent to the relevant Postgraduate Research Tutor and the supervisory team
- an oral presentation and/or interview
- an additional piece of work as indicated by the Faculty, Department/School or supervisory team.
Length of study : Full-time: 3 years. Part-time: 4 years.
PhD (direct entry)
If you undertake a PhD you will:
- critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic, resulting in an independent and original contribution to the field
- present and defend a substantial thesis by viva.
Entry requirement : The normal entry requirement for the degree of PhD is a master’s degree in a discipline which is appropriate to the proposed research and which has included research training and a research project.
In exceptional cases, applicants who have a good honours degree (or equivalent) may apply for direct registration to PhD if they have appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment.
Entry requirements
All students must be able to meet the University’s requirements for a research degree, which is to be able to devote a minimum of 35 hours per week (full-time) or 15 hours per week (part-time) to the programme of research.
The minimum entry requirement for the degree of MPhil, or MPhil with transfer to PhD, is a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.
The normal entry requirement for a PhD is a Masters degree, or exceptionally a good honours degree/equivalent.
The minimum entry requirement for the degree of MA, MSc and LLM by Research is a lower second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.
English language requirements
Our requirement is IELTS: 6.5-7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking), depending on the subject. Please note that an IELTS certificate must be current; they are only valid for 2 years from issue. For further information about the test visit the IELTS website . Please note that we are unable to accept TOEFL qualifications.
However, there may be some exceptions. See UK Government visa information for more detail on the information.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements .
Application process
We welcome initial enquiries. Please contact the Research Administrator ( [email protected] ) and/or the relevant Postgraduate Tutor or Supervisor.
- If you have a research proposal in mind, explore our research groups and supervisory staff webpages, to identify the relevant research group/s for your research.
- Check the fees information on the university website. Oxford Brookes Alumni may be entitled to a discount on course fees.
- Email your CV and an outline of your area of interest to [email protected] . Give a brief explanation of how your studies will be funded.
- Once we have the initial information we will liaise with you as necessary and pass the information to the relevant Postgraduate Tutor/s, who will advise whether an application can be progressed. If this is possible we will invite you to submit an application through the university system.
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
For International fees the following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
Home fees are set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and are released approximately five months before the start of each academic year.
If you have any questions about fees, get in touch with the Research Degrees Team at [email protected] .
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page
Compulsory costs
Additional costs | Amount (£) |
---|---|
The continuation fee, where it is payable is compulsory, but not applicable to Masters by research or PhD by Published Work, detailed as follows: |