Cognitive Neuroscience

The MSc Cognitive Neuroscience is delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, practical sessions, workshops and lab placements.

Lectures provide key theoretical information on general topics such as cognition, emotion and neuropsychology, and in-depth knowledge of a range of techniques used in cognitive neuroscience research (focusing on their strengths and weaknesses). This core knowledge is then enriched by seminars, workshops, practical sessions and lab placements.

While seminars and workshops allow student-led discussions with the aim of developing your critical thinking, your oral communications and your writing skills, practical sessions and lab placements provide you with in-depth and hands-on knowledge of selected research techniques as well as programming skills (i.e. Matlab included in the Techniques in Cognitive Neuroscience module) - most wanted key abilities in cognitive neuroscience research. Importantly, practicals also include the application of a range of widely-used statistical tests and a critical understanding of research design, project management and data presentation. All skills that are easily transferable to any future career that you might decide to pursue.

Lab placements are a crowning point of the MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience. They allow you to experience research rather than just hearing about it. This is a unique opportunity for you to gain in-depth practical knowledge of techniques that are relevant right now in Cognitive Neuroscience.

Finally, the dissertation module is an opportunity for students to do in-depth research in a particular area of Cognitive Neuroscience. This is your project and the department provides excellent support and opportunities, enabling you to conduct a significant piece of independent research.

Outside timetabled contact hours, you are also expected to undertake your own independent study to prepare for your classes and broaden your subject knowledge.

Altogether, the course is focused on supplying you with broad theoretical knowledge and practical experience in cutting-edge research in cognitive neuroscience and psychology, before you embark on a psychology related career.

2:1 in Psychology or Psychology related subject (or equivalent).

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway course at the Durham University International Study Centre.

English language requirements

Full Time Fees

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Career destinations for graduates include consultant, advisor, human resources professional, talent manager, business analyst, market researcher, public relations professional, marketeer, administrator, manager, civil servant, coach, trainer or teacher. However, the broad nature of the curriculum ensures that graduates also qualify for career destinations in clinical and healthcare settings.

The Department of Psychology provides a world-class teaching and research environment for postgraduate students in biological, cognitive, social, developmental psychology and neuroscience.

We offer both postgraduate taught courses and postgraduate research degrees. Our Masters courses provide you with core skills – ideal if you want to continue on to complete a PhD, take on a research position or enter the workplace.

To find out more see our department pages.

Rankings

• We are proud to hold an Athena SWAN silver award, underlining our commitment to equality and diversity.
• World Top 100 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2022
• Top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2023

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Psychology Department pages

Facilities

Staff and students benefit from access to a wide range of cutting-edge facilities and laboratories which allow us to understand the mind and behaviour through both high precision experimental methods, and ecologically valid controlled environments.

More information on our facilities and equipment.

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