Skip navigation

Neuroscience

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 13 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Central area campus
More about The University of Edinburgh

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

Neuroscience explores one of the most complex systems in the body: the nervous system. Neuroscientists aim to understand how the brain works and how nerves interact to control thought, movement and behaviour.

In this degree programme, you will study how the nervous system is structured and how it develops, functions, malfunctions and can be manipulated. You will also explore how neuroscience research can lead to new ways of repairing, protecting and enhancing brain function.

By deepening our understanding of the brain, neuroscientists are helping to advance treatments for conditions such as:

  • stroke

  • neurodegenerative diseases

  • mental illness

  • cancer

  • neurotoxicity and trauma

This degree combines scientific discovery with real-world impact, preparing you to contribute to one of the most exciting and rapidly developing fields in modern science.

Our Neuroscience degree is part of our suite of Biomedical Sciences degrees. In all programmes, you will develop your knowledge and understanding of biomedical sciences in Years 1 and 2 and then choose from a suite of more specialist courses in Year 3.

The flexibility of our programmes means that you can also change your specialism at the end of Year 3. Specialisms you can choose from include:

  • anatomy and development

  • biomedical sciences

  • reproductive biology

  • pharmacology

  • infectious diseases

Programme benefits

  • Join an interdisciplinary programme that equips you with the knowledge, skills and development essential for globally competitive graduates in our key disciplines.

  • Benefit from the opportunity to undertake projects with our leading biomedical researchers, addressing major global biomedical challenges.

  • In Year 3, enjoy the option to study abroad at one of our partner universities.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Central area campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 13 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
B140
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
B140
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB

Required subjects: A levels: Biology and Chemistry, one at A and one at B (BB for minimum entry requirements). Mathematics or Physics is recommended. GCSEs: Mathematics at B or 6; English at C or 4.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AABB

AABB (achievement by end of S5 preferred) (Standard). ABBB by end of S6 (Minimum). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: Biology at B; Chemistry at B. Higher Mathematics or Physics and Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry are recommended. National 5s: Mathematics at B; English at C. We accept Higher Applications of Mathematics at C in place of National 5 Mathematics at B.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 34

34 points with 655 at HL (Standard). 32 points with 655 at HL (Minimum). Required subjects: HL: Biology and Chemistry, one at 5 and one at 6. Mathematics or Physics is recommended. SL: English at 5; Mathematics: Analysis and approaches or Mathematics: Applications and interpretation at 5. If Mathematics and English Language do not form part of your IB diploma, we will also accept GCSE Mathematics, or equivalent, at B/6 and GCSE English Language or equivalent at C/4.

Direct entry to second year is available; see our website for entry requirements. There are a limited number of places for second year entry each year. Achieving the required grades does not guarantee an offer for direct entry into second year. You will not be considered for second year entry where you:

  • are applying with resit qualifications
  • have taken your final examinations over more than one academic year
  • have a gap in study since completing your eligible high school qualifications

To be considered for direct entry to Year 2, you will need to meet all the requirements listed.

Apply for only one Biomedical Sciences degree. If you apply for multiple degrees within the Biomedical Sciences suite only one application will be taken forward for consideration with the remaining applications being processed as unsuccessful. You will have the opportunity to switch between degrees in later years provided the required courses have been passed.

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference. https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/2027/2-neuroscience?utm_source=ucas&utm_medium=programme&utm_campaign=ug_institution_profiles&utm_content=listing

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level ABB

Required subjects: A levels: Biology and Chemistry, one at A and one at B (BB for minimum entry requirements). Mathematics or Physics is recommended. GCSEs: Mathematics at B or 6; English at C or 4.

Scottish Higher ABBB

AABB (achievement by end of S5 preferred) (Standard). ABBB by end of S6 (Minimum). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: Biology at B; Chemistry at B. Higher Mathematics or Physics and Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry are recommended. National 5s: Mathematics at B; English at C. We accept Higher Applications of Mathematics at C in place of National 5 Mathematics at B.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Offer: 32

34 points with 655 at HL (Standard). 32 points with 655 at HL (Minimum). Required subjects: HL: Biology and Chemistry, one at 5 and one at 6. Mathematics or Physics is recommended. SL: English at 5; Mathematics: Analysis and approaches or Mathematics: Applications and interpretation at 5. If Mathematics and English Language do not form part of your IB diploma, we will also accept GCSE Mathematics, or equivalent, at B/6 and GCSE English Language or equivalent at C/4.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)total 92 with at least 20 in each component (before 21 Jan 2026); total 4.5 with at least 4.0 in each component (from 21 Jan 2026). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. We also accept other English language tests and qualifications from around the world. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, Oxford Test of English Advanced, Trinity ISE. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.

Learn more on the The University of Edinburgh website

International entry requirements

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/international-qualifications

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for The University of Edinburgh - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Scotland£1820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050
EU & International£40900

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) students commencing or continuing their studies in September 2027, the tuition fees will be £10,050.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme

Related courses

At The University of Edinburgh

Like this page