Food and Human Nutrition

Entry requirements

MPhil: A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a science or medicine related subject.

PhD: A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent. Further research experience or a master’s degree would be advantageous.

Months of entry

January, April, September

Course content

MPhil and PhD supervision covers a number of research topics supported by our research active academic staff. Our broad range of research areas relate to understanding how food and food constituents affect human health and well-being, relating to healthy ageing, food security, sensory quality, international nutrition and personalised nutrition.

Much of the research is multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary, via links across research areas within the School, and across the University through the Human Nutrition Research Centre.

Research themes

• health benefits of consuming selected foods and food types, eg whole grains, carrots, nitrate-rich vegetables, food supplements, regarding cardiovascular health, cancer, sarcopenia, cell damage
• elucidation of roles of fat-soluble vitamins in health and disease, eg vitamins A and D, modelling and understanding sources and metabolism in humans and farm animals
• medicinal properties of herbs and plant extracts, eg effects on cognitive performance, pain, mood, well-being, dementia
• effects of production/processing factors on food composition & sensory quality, eg effects of organic/conventional production, supply chain temperatures, varieties/breeds.

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Department specialisms

Ecological agriculture; Food and human nutrition; Integrated animal science; Soils, plants and environment; Rural development in advanced economies; Food systems, consumption and marketing; Science and technology studies in food and environment.

Information for international students

English Language Requirements

To study these courses you need to meet the following English Language requirements:

IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in all other sub-skills).

Our typical English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores but we also accept a wide range of English Language tests

The equivalent academic qualifications that we accept are listed on our country pages.

You may need an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate. You'll need to get this before you can get your visa or study on this programme. We'll let you know about the ATAS requirement in your offer letter.

Fees and funding

See Fees and Funding tab in the Programme information in our online Prospectus.