Cognitive Neuroscience

The MSc Cognitive Neuroscience combines lectures, seminars, workshops, practical sessions and lab placements, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning.

Lectures cover core topics such as cognition, emotion, perception, as well as key research methods. Seminars and workshops develop critical thinking and communication skills through student-led discussions. Practical sessions offer training in research design, statistics, programming (e.g. Matlab, R), and data presentation. Lab placements provide hands-on experience in applying research techniques. The dissertation allows you to conduct a substantial independent project, supported by an expert academic.

Alongside timetabled activities, students are expected to engage in independent study. On average, the course requires 35 hours of work per week, divided between contact hours and self-directed learning.

Assessment

Assessments include examinations, written assignments, practical exercises, poster presentations, and the dissertation.

We typically require a 2:1 Bachelor (Honours) degree in a neuroscience-related discipline, including—but not limited to—Neuroscience, Medicine, Psychology, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, and other related fields.

Candidates would usually demonstrate knowledge of statistics and research methods (core principles of research ethics, experimental design, data collection and analysis). This requirement can be met in different ways:

• via statistics-related or research methods modules in your degree

or

• via other evidence of relevant training or experience in statistics and research methods (e.g., a research project-based dissertation or research-based work experience).

The majority of relevant modules should be at 2:1 grade or better.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications 

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.  

English language requirements

Country specific information

The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Our Masters qualifications provide the essential skills and understanding to progress to research at a higher academic level or to launch a professional career.

Our students enter the workplace with knowledge relevant to careers in psychology but also with the transferable skills in analysis and problem-solving that are valued by employers.

Such skills are highly sought after in a range of professions and our postgraduates have progressed to roles that include consultants, advisors, human resources professionals, talent managers, business analysts, market researchers, public relations professionals, marketeers, administrators, managers, civil servants, coaches, trainers and teachers.

In addition, the broad nature of the Department means that some of our postgraduates also qualify for careers in clinical and healthcare settings.

Our Department provides world class teaching and research into understanding the mind and human behaviours. We investigate the processes that bring about the thoughts, feelings and motivations that lie behind our actions.

The Department of Psychology provides a world-class teaching and research environment for postgraduates who are interested in understanding more about the thoughts, feelings and motivations that lie behind actions and human behaviours and the processes that trigger them.

Our academic team are leading experts in their specialisms and provide outstanding supervision for postgraduate learning and research in key areas of psychology including Developmental Science, Cognitive Neuroscience and Quantitative Social Psychology.

Our range of taught Masters qualifications offer the opportunity to focus on a specific aspect of psychology be it biological, cognitive, social, developmental or neuroscience-related and to learn key approaches to the discipline including statistical training. For those who are interested in pursuing their own research interests we offer the MA/MSc by Research which offers a direct route to the PhD.

All postgraduate taught courses include a postgraduate dissertation in a chosen subject, supported by a member of staff with expertise in that area. Students also have access to state-of-the art technical, clinical and experimental facilities to support learning and research.

In the Department, we are proud to have passionate and committed teachers, who love their subjects and want to share that passion. We encourage collaborative working on new ideas so that together we can make new discoveries about human behaviour.

Facilities

The Department of Psychology is located on the main Mountjoy site, close to many academic departments and University services, and is within walking distance of Durham’s historic centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Facilities in the Department are outstanding. They provide state-of-the-art support for postgraduate work in understanding mind and behaviour through high precision experimental methods and ecologically valid controlled environments.

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