Psychology at UEA
Find out more about studying Psychology at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMSc Cognitive Neuroscience
Course
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Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Cognitive neuroscience is the fastest-growing area of psychology. It blends psychology with neuroscience.
Our Cognitive Neuroscience Master’s programme provides training in research methods. You'll explore advanced topics at the cutting edge of the field. You’ll learn about the brain's role in thinking and action. You'll also learn modern research methods like fMRI, EEG, and TMS.
You’ll access world-leading research facilities at UEA’s brain imaging centre (UWWBIC). The course includes a substantial master's research project supervised by active researchers.
You’ll also benefit from a tailored research placement, through which you can acquire and hone specific skills you need to further your research goals.
This course is perfect for top graduates in psychology or related fields. These include medicine, neuroscience, and biological sciences. Take a look at the School of Psychology’s webpage to find a researcher who works on a topic that interests you. This is great preparation for a PhD in cognitive neuroscience or a research career. It helps in psychology consultancy, data analysis, scientific communication, and government jobs.
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Study and Modules
Structure
You can complete this programme in one year full-time or two years part-time. You'll complete two required modules, two optional modules, and a dissertation.
Understanding brain function and the impact of dysfunction is a major challenge for current research. There’s increasing demand for research into the processes of the human brain.
Our expert cognitive neuroscientists will help you study how the brain works. You'll explore perception, memory, action, and decision-making. You'll look into the latest cognitive neuroscience research methods. These include fMRI, EEG, and TMS. Plus, you’ll get to analyse data during practical sessions.
You'll learn psychology and cognitive neuroscience research techniques. We'll cover software used in functional MRI data collection and analysis. You'll also gain specialised experience and techniques. These will boost your CV and may help with your dissertation research. You’ll learn about experimental design, programming, and MRI. This includes fMRI data collection and analysis of a neuroimaging experiment.
The dissertation allows you to research a topic of your choice, enabling you to explore your area of greatest interest in depth.
Examples of previous dissertation topics include:
- Facial emotion perception
- Motivated thought substitution and thought suppression
- Probabilistic learning
- Predictive processing in the sensory brain
- Effects of social anxiety on attentional bias
- Neural basis of autobiographical memories
- Conscious and unconscious processing of size constancy
- Eye movements and perceptual span during reading in Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Object ownership, but not object touch, facilitates novel association formation
- The impact of stress on cerebellar related functions
- Virtual reality as a method of diagnosis and rehabilitation of spatial neglect in stroke patients
Finally, gain hands-on experience and build valuable connections through an external placement. This flexible placement helps you gain experience that can boost your career.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
You’ll experience different teaching methods: lectures, seminars, workshops, and research placements. You’ll also have practical experience with state-of-the-art research equipment.
Independent Study
Your schedule will include classes, private study, coursework, and session prep. You’ll also complete a major independent research project under expert supervision.
Assessment
Assessment will be through a combination of coursework, including critical reviews, research proposals, and a research project.
Employability
After the Course
This Master’s degree gives you advanced training in Cognitive Neuroscience research methods. It's ideal preparation for a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience or a research-focused career.
Careers
Examples careers that you could enter include:
- Research associate
- The third sector (such as charities or NGOs)
- Government setting
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Psychology or related degree (eg. medicine, neuroscience or biological science)
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Psychology or related degree (eg. medicine, neuroscience or biological science)
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £12,800
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International Students: £23,850
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.