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.