University College London (UCL)
Clinical Neuroscience: Neuromuscular Disease 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
This MSc program in Clinical Neuroscience focuses on understanding neuromuscular diseases, combining neuroscience with clinical practice. It covers the underlying biology of neuromuscular disorders such as motor neuron disease, muscular dystrophy, and peripheral nerve conditions. Students will explore diagnosis methods, disease mechanisms, and current treatment approaches, gaining a broad understanding of how these conditions affect patients and how to manage them effectively.
The course is designed to give students both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It includes a mix of lectures, laboratory work, and clinical placements. Throughout the program, students will learn how to interpret diagnostic tests, work with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to research efforts aimed at improving patient outcomes. The program prepares graduates for careers in clinical research, healthcare, or further study in the field of neuromuscular disorders.
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 a combination of lectures, practical sessions, presentations, tutor group meetings and discussions with a research project supervisor.
Assessment of the taught modules will be a mixture of short-answer/multiple choice question examinations, essays and coursework. The research project will be assessed by a written dissertation.
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 six compulsory modules (105 credits), one optional module (15 credits) and a research project (60 credits).
Part-time
You will complete modules over two years. In Year One you will complete all compulsory taught modules and in Year Two you will complete the Research Project. You can choose to complete optional modules in either year.
Compulsory modules
- Research Methods and Introduction to Statistics
- Basic Neuroscience and Investigation of Nervous System
- Motoneurons, Neuromuscular Junctions and Associated Disease
- Advanced Genetic Technologies and their Clinical Applications
- Skeletal Muscle and Associated Diseases
- Peripheral Nerves and Associated Diseases
- Research Project: MSc Neuromuscular Disease
Optional modules
- Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy
- Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Higher Functions of the Brain
- Motor Systems and Disease
- Paroxysmal disorders, Tumours and Special Senses of the Central Nervous System
- Neuromuscular Literature Review
- 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: Neuromuscular Disease.
What this course will give you
The UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology has a world-class reputation in the treatment and management of patients with a wide range of neuromuscular diseases. Our specialised peripheral nerve and muscle clinics are run by leading clinical experts in the field, many of whom teach on this master’s programme.
Students will have a unique opportunity to attend clinical meetings and presentations and to learn about the clinical management of a wide variety of neuromuscular diseases.
Students will also acquire specialised expertise in research into neuromuscular disease by conducting cutting-edge clinical or basic science research. We aim to educate future generations of experts in neuromuscular diseases.
The foundation of your career
This programme will enable you to advance your career to a higher specialised level or help become more established in your career. As well as gaining knowledge in the specialised field of neuromuscular disease, the extended research project will enable you to gain many transferable skills in conducting research in the clinical and medical science area. All of our students are in graduate-level work 15 months after completion of this programme (Source Graduate Outcomes Survey published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)).
Employability
Many of our graduates have undertaken further study at PhD level, or have successfully applied to medical school. Some clinicians who took time out to obtain a higher qualification have returned to training, and scientists have progressed to become post-doctoral researchers.
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 neuroscience experts. We offer a wealth of scientific and clinical expertise, from laboratory 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.