Overview
Join us for your MPhil or PhD in Food and Society. You’ll be supervised by research-active academic staff.
Our research primarily involves food systems, food consumption and food marketing:
- consumer studies in food, food provisioning and behaviour change
- perceived risk associated with food and food production
- food supply chains and territorial development
- international political economy of food and agriculture
- risk-benefit communication
- acceptance of novel food and technologies within the value chain
Opportunities are available for postgraduate research in the following areas.
Understanding and measuring societal and individual responses to risks and benefits
- Food, nutrition and healthy dietary choices
- Sustainable consumption and the reduction of food waste
- Food safety and authenticity throughout the supply chain
- Emerging food technologies
Developing new methodologies for assessing socio-economic impacts of food risks and communication strategies and other public
- Systematic review
- Evidence synthesis
- Systems thinking
- Bayesian networks
- Rapid evidence assessment
Employing qualitative and quantitative methodologies to understand attitudes and behaviours related to food
- Microbiological food hazards
- Personalised nutrition
- Food authenticity
- Societal and consumer responses to emerging food production technologies
- Behaviour change in relation to food
- Food waste
Stakeholder analysis and effectiveness of public engagement
- Research agenda setting
- Policy and governance, in the area of emerging food technologies
- Food and agricultural policy issues
Integrating social and natural science into the development of predictive models
Predictive models of food security to provide evidence for policy translation in the agri-food sector.
- Bayesian networks
- Systems thinking
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
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 2024-25.
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.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MPhil – Master of Philosophy
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
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
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.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
How you’ll learn
Delivery and teaching methods
Delivery
We offer a number of different routes to a research degree qualification, including full-time and part-time supervised research projects.
We attract postgraduates via non-traditional routes, including mature students and part-time postgraduates undertaking study as part of their continuing professional development.
Off-campus (split) research should be available from Semester two. This allows you to conduct trials in conditions appropriate to your research programme.
Assessment methods
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Thesis
- Viva
Postgraduate research student support
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
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Find out more about our postgraduate research student support
Your development
Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) 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.
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
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:
- Newcastle Liverpool Durham BBSRC 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
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
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.
Facilities
Centre for Rural Economy
The Centre for Rural Economy is a Newcastle University Research Centre. It specialises in interdisciplinary social science, researching rural development and policy, food and society, and the wellbeing of rural communities.
NU-Food Food and Consumer Research Facility
The NU-Food and Consumer Research Facility has undergone a £700,000 refurbishment. It now boasts:
- a culinary training suite
- a sensory laboratory
- food handling facility
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.
We usually expect research experience and/or a postgraduate qualification, such as a MRes or MSc, for PhD study.Â
