University College London (UCL)
Clinical Neuroscience MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The MSc in Clinical Neuroscience is designed to give students a solid understanding of how the nervous system functions and how it is affected by various disorders. The program covers the fundamental principles of neuroscience, focusing on brain structure, function, and development. It emphasizes clinical applications, helping students understand how neuroscience research translates into patient care for conditions like stroke, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases. Throughout the course, students engage with current research, developing skills in analyzing scientific literature and understanding advanced techniques used in neuroscience studies.
Students can expect a blend of taught modules, hands-on laboratory work, and independent research projects. This combination helps build both theoretical knowledge and practical skills relevant to clinical practice and research. The program also offers opportunities for work-based learning and networking with professionals in the field. Overall, it aims to prepare students for careers in research, healthcare, or further study, with a clear focus on the scientific and clinical aspects of neuroscience. The course is suitable for those interested in understanding the brain and nervous system at a detailed level, whether they plan to pursue a PhD or work directly in clinical settings.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through small and large group lectures. Lectures are supported by audio-visual aids and supplementary materials including handouts, reading lists and references to original papers.
Assessment is through unseen and multiple-choice examination, unseen short answer question examination, seen essay, library project (if applicable), research project.
For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
Modules
Full-time
The programme consists of five compulsory modules (90 credits), either a library project or two optional modules (30 credits) and a research project (60 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Clinical Neuroscience.
You will gain knowledge of the clinical features and scientific basis of both common and unusual neurological disorders including a study of: genetics of CNS disorders; brain metabolism, neurotransmitters and neurodegeneration; autoimmune disease and repair mechanisms; epilepsy; nociception and pain; motor control; basal ganglia/movement disorders; hearing, balance, vision and eye-movements, cognition and dementia.
Teaching is organised in sequence for the compulsory modules; optional modules may result in some overlap in teaching/assessment and students are advised to review modules at the beginning of the Academic Year.
Part-time
The programme consists of five compulsory modules (90 credits), either a library project or two optional modules (30 credits) and a research project (60 credits).
You will complete modules over two years. In Year 1 you will complete all compulsory taught modules and in Year 2 you will complete the Research Project. You can choose to complete optional modules in either year 1 or year 2.
Compulsory modules
- Higher Functions of the Brain
- Motor Systems and Disease
- Paroxysmal disorders, Tumours and Special Senses of the Central Nervous System
- Research Methods and Introduction to Statistics
- Basic Neuroscience and Investigation of Nervous System
- Research Project: MSc Clinical Neuroscience
Optional modules
- Library Project: Clinical Neuroscience
- Motoneurons, Neuromuscular Junctions and Associated Disease
- Advanced Genetic Technologies and their Clinical Applications
- Skeletal Muscle and Associated Diseases
- Peripheral Nerves and Associated Diseases
- Stroke: Risk factors, Pathophysiology and Imaging
- Clinical Manifestations of Stroke
- Treatment (HASU and Service Delivery)
- Neurorehabilitation
- Clinical Neuroscience of Dementia
- Applied experimental approaches to studying neuronal circuits in health and disease
- Genetic Therapies for Neurological Diseases
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Clinical Neuroscience.
What this course will give you
The mission of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology is to carry out high-quality research, teaching and training in basic and clinical neurosciences. Together with our associated hospital, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, the Institute promotes the translation of research that is of direct clinical relevance to improved patient care and treatment.
With its concentration of clinical and applied scientific activity the institute is a unique national resource for postgraduate training in neuroscience, and this MSc enhances the scientific skills of clinicians and provides non-clinical graduates with insight into clinical problems that will allow them to work alongside clinicians in clinical research projects. Students are given the opportunity to take an original research project in a world-renowned centre of excellence. Publications routinely result from the best MSc projects.
The foundation of your career
Many of our graduates go on to careers in health and social care and academic research and higher education.
Employability
This programme offers an established entry route into both PhD studies in the UK and internationally, and to medicine at both undergraduate and graduate level.
Networking
The Queen Square Institute of Neurology is home to some of the world's most influential academics. By studying with us, students will have the opportunity to be part of the next generation of experts in neuroscience. We are home to some of the world's most influential researchers and offer a wealth of scientific and clinical expertise, from laboratory benches through to patient care.
Many of our lecturers are also NHS consultants working at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery which is a leading centre for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with a wide range of neurological conditions.