MSc Cognitive Neuroscience
Course options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
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Course Overview
Cognitive neuroscience is one of psychology’s most fast-moving and fundamental areas, bringing together aspects of psychology and neuroscience.
On our Cognitive Neuroscience Master’s programme. You'll combine research methodology training with in-depth study at the cutting edge of the field to gain understanding of the neural basis for cognition and sensorimotor skills.
You will get up close to the world leading facilities for brain imaging research at UEA’s research dedicated brain imaging centre (UBIC). The course builds to a substantial piece of Master’s research, which you will undertake with the supervision of active researchers.
You’ll also benefit from a tailored research placement, through which you’ll acquire and hone further research skills.
You can complete your course in one year full-time or over two years part-time. It is ideal if you are a high-calibre psychology graduate, or a graduate of a related discipline such as medicine, neuroscience, or biological sciences and are preparing for a PhD in the subject, or aim to pursue a career with a significant research element.
Our MSc Cognitive Neuroscience combines research method training with in-depth study of the subject as a whole. During your time with us, you’ll become familiar with modern psychological research methods, for example fMRI, EEG, and TMS.
You’ll gain the ability to understand the neural basis of cognition, prepare research proposals, conduct critical reviews, and perform hands-on data analysis. You will also acquire transferable skills in oral and written communication, and in the analysis of complex data sets. You can also undertake a research placement tailored to the specific skills you need to enhance your employability.
The programme includes compulsory modules, which will give you a solid grounding in the subject’s key areas, and optional modules, which you’ll choose according to your specific interests.
The course builds to a substantial piece of Master’s research, which you will undertake with the supervision of active researchers in the School of Psychology. Take a look at the School of Psychology’s webpage to find a researcher who works on a topic that interests you. You’re welcome to contact our academics to discuss your research interests and find out how we can help you explore those areas before you apply.
Study and Modules
Structure
You can complete this programme in one year of full-time study, or over two years part-time. You’ll take three compulsory modules, complete a dissertation and choose an optional module.
Cognitive Neuroscience
Understanding how the brain functions typically and how it is affected by dysfunction presents one of the major challenges for research in the 21st century. As such, there is increasing demand for research training into cognitive processes of the human brain.
This module brings together our expert cognitive neuroscientists and provides you with the opportunity to examine the scientific study of brain function across a variety of domains – for example perception, memory, action, and decision-making. You’ll also study state-of-the-art cognitive neuroscience research methods, for example fMRI, EEG, TMS etc, and you’ll have the chance to undertake data analysis in practical sessions.
Practical Skills for MRI Research
This module aims to introduce students to psychology and cognitive neuroscience research techniques and software commonly used in functional MRI data collection and analysis, and provide students with experience of these tools and techniques so that they can add these skills to their CV for job applications and potentially use them for their dissertation research project. The module will cover aspects of experimental design, programming, MRI and functional MRI (fMRI) data acquisition and analysis, which will be delivered in the context of a neuroimaging experiment.
Dissertation
Your dissertation is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to carry out a piece of independent research on a subject of your choosing. It also allows you to go into greater detail in the area that interests you most.
Previous dissertation topics have included:
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Facial emotion perception
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Motivated thought substitution and thought suppression
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Probabilistic learning
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Predictive processing in the sensory brain
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Effects of social anxiety on attentional bias
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Neural basis of autobiographical memories
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Conscious and unconscious processing of size constancy
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Eye movements and perceptual span during reading in Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Object ownership, but not object touch, facilitates novel association formation
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The impact of stress on cerebellar related functions
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Virtual reality as a method of diagnosis and rehabilitation of spatial neglect in stroke patients
Optional modules
You’ll choose optional modules to complement your studies and areas of interests. Exact modules offered will vary each year but usually include both quantitative and qualitative research options.
Research placement and professional skills
This optional module brings together our expert researchers and research organisations, along with our Careers Service, so that you gain both advanced practice knowledge and the skills you’ll need to increase your employability. In particular, you’ll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and valuable contacts by undertaking a placement in an external setting. Your module leader will help and guide you in your search for a suitable placement organisation. The type of placement is flexible, as long as you’re able to demonstrate that you’ll be utilising your research skills.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)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 a wide range of teaching methods throughout the course, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and research placements, and the hands-on use of state-of-the-art research equipment.
Independent study
Your schedule will include timetabled classes, private study, completion of coursework assignments and preparation for sessions. You will also complete a major independent research project under expert supervision.
Assessment
You’ll primarily be assessed through coursework, including critical reviews, research proposals and a research project.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- Bachelors degree - 2.1 or equivalent
- Degree Subject
- Psychology or related degree (eg. medicine, neuroscience or biological science)
- English Foreign Language
We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:
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IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each component)
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PTE (Pearson): 76 (minimum 67 in each component)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests
INTO UEA also run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk
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- Intakes
- This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2023/24 are:
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UK Students: £10,850 (full time)
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International Students: £19,800 (full time)
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 £1,023 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
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.
Employability
After the Course
This Master’s degree programme will equip you with advanced training in Cognitive Neuroscience research methods. It’s the ideal preparation if you’re interested in studying for a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and will be of great benefit if you’re planning, or already pursuing, a career with a significant research component.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers you could enter include:
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Research associate
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The third sector
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Government setting