Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology (Taught)

This MA/MSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology offers you hands-on training in cutting-edge behavioural and imaging neuroscience techniques and combines a basic-science perspective with clinical case-study perspectives.

Why choose this course?

• Taught by leading researchers in the field, it gives you the chance to examine how theories of cognitive function can be informed by evidence from converging neuroimaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging, electrophysiology and transcranial magnetic stimulation, as well as neuropsychological, patient-based techniques.

• This course benefits from its strong connection to centres such as the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development (CBCD) and Birkbeck/UCL Centre for Neuroimaging (BUCNI).

• Depending on your professional interests and career aspirations, this course gives you the ability to gain an MA or MSc award, based on your dissertation choice.

What you will learn

Modules on this course equip you with knowledge and skills in a wide range of relevant topics in cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology, including:

• neuroimaging methods

• sensorimotor processes

• neuropsychological case studies

• the structure and measurement of the human brain.

These specialised modules are complemented by more general modules in which you will gain further academic and research skills including in advanced quantitative methods.

You will have the opportunity to apply what you have learnt and follow your interests by completing a dissertation. With supervision and guidance, you will either conduct a research project to gain an MSc, or undertake a literature review to be awarded an MA.

How you will learn

You will be able to choose between full- or part-time study. Classes take place in the daytime.

Our focus is on ensuring student participation and discussion in lectures and seminars. Your dissertation will involve working in one of our lab groups undertaking cutting-edge research.

Highlights

• We have an outstanding research tradition in psychological sciences, with an international reputation in all aspects of cognitive neuroscience, especially developmental cognitive neuroscience. You will have the opportunity to interact with world-class researchers from centres such as the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, the Brain and Behaviour Lab and the Birkbeck/UCL Centre for Neuroimaging and attend research seminars organised by the School of Psychological Sciences and a number of other local research centres and institutes.

• In the 2023 National Student Survey, Birkbeck's School of Psychological Sciences ranked 5th in the UK for teaching.

• We are consistently regarded as one of the top institutions teaching psychological sciences in the UK. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, and for the third time, we were ranked in the top ten universities in the UK.

• If you have a strong academic record but require financial support to take this course, you may be eligible for the Kenway Legacy Scholarship which will cover the cost of your tuition fees.

• ESRC funding may be available in conjunction with PhD study.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in psychology, the health sciences, research, or policy development. Possible professions include:

• neurologist

• psychologist

• researcher

• policy development roles

• higher education lecturer.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.