Nutrition PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for UK Students in the UK

Nutrition influences growth, development, and disease immunity so a Nutrition PhD will give you the opportunity to research a specific area of bioscience, diet, and health. By the end of your PhD, you will complete an independent research project that should make a significant original contribution to the field.

What’s it like to study a PhD in Nutrition?

Studying a Nutrition PhD will mean that you are contributing to a global understanding of the relationship between nutrition and health. This is a wide-ranging field from ageing metabolism and dietetic practices to childhood nutritional management and public health.

Some typical research topics in Nutrition include:

• obesity and diabetes
• maternal and child nutrition
• sport, exercise, and rehabilitation
• effects of lifestyle factors on eating behavior and control of eating
• changing consumer behaviour via food labelling

PhD programmes in Nutrition are advertised with funding attached, however there are cases of advertised projects without funding. These are either three-year programmes or a four-year doctoral training programme. Since the project is advertised, the scope and key aim of the project is pre-determined by the supervisor, but you will shape the remainder of the project.

Any training is usually provided by the Faculty/Department, and you will be encouraged to take part in researcher development programmes at your institution.

To be awarded your PhD, you must submit a thesis of about 60,000 words and defend it during your viva exam.

PhD in Nutrition entry requirements

The entry requirements for a typical PhD in Nutrition usually involve a Bachelors and a Masters degree in a related subject. You will also need to submit a compelling research proposal detailing your study plans. You may also need some professional experience in Nutrition, depending on the programme. If English is not your first language, you will also need to show that you have the right level of language proficiency. 

PhD in Nutrition funding options

In the UK, PhDs in Nutrition are funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) which provides a tuition fee waiver and a living cost stipend. Depending on the programme, you may submit your own research proposal before being considered for funding or apply for a project that already has funding attached.  

It is also possible to apply for a PhD loan to help with the costs of a doctorate in Nutrition (although this cannot be combined with Research Council funding). Other options for financial support include university scholarships, graduate teaching assistantships and charities.

If you are considering a part-time PhD in Nutrition, it may also be worth asking your employer if they are happy to sponsor you.