University College London (UCL)
Educational 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 Educational Neuroscience focuses on understanding how the brain develops and functions in relation to learning and education. It combines insights from neuroscience, psychology, and education to explore how students learn best and how educational strategies can be informed by brain science. The program covers core topics like brain development, learning processes, and the impact of different teaching methods, helping students gain a solid foundation in both neuroscience and education practices. It's designed to give students practical skills that they can apply in educational settings or research.
The program also emphasizes research methods and critical thinking. Students will get involved in data collection and analysis, allowing them to understand how evidence is gathered and interpreted in the field of educational neuroscience. This prepares graduates to contribute to improving educational outcomes through research or policy work. The course is suitable for those interested in careers in education, mental health, or research, offering a comprehensive overview of how neuroscience can be used to support and enhance learning across various contexts.
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
This course is delivered by face-to-face daytime or evening sessions and attendance may vary depending on your choice of optional modules.
Teaching strategies include various pedagogical techniques and approaches, used to facilitate learning, promote student engagement, and achieve the program's educational objectives. These include, but are not limited to: a) traditional lectures delivered by subject matter experts to present core concepts, theories, and principles; b) pre-recorded lectures to enhance flexibility and accessibility of content; c) workshops where students can apply theoretical knowledge and develop hands-on skills; d) group projects that foster teamwork and communication skills; e) self-directed study to encourage students to take responsibility for their learning through independent research and study.
Assessment is primarily by coursework, including essays, presentations, and an empirical dissertation. Students are assessed on their ability to apply theory, interpret data, and communicate research clearly. Some optional modules may include written exams. Formative feedback supports skill development and helps scaffold the dissertation process.
For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week per taught module. 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.
Each 15-credit module at Birkbeck requires a notional 150 hours of study, and each 30-credit module at UCL requires a notional 300 hours of study. This translates to about 10 hours per week for 15-credit modules and 20 hours per week for 30-credit modules.
In the summer period, when there are no taught sessions, students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.
Modules
Full-time
If studied on a full-time basis, the course will take place over a full calendar year.
The course comprises seven taught modules and a dissertation. You will be expected to attend both UCL and Birkbeck for lectures and will be granted access to both institutions’ facilities.
The taught modules on the course are lecture-based theory modules and practical laboratory modules, designed to provide you with a firm foundation in the different topics relevant to educational neuroscience. You will take compulsory modules at Birkbeck in Genetics of Development, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Advanced Quantitative Methods, and Neuroimaging Methods, plus Issues in Educational Neuroscience at UCL. You will also take two optional modules from a selection offered by UCL.
You will also be required to complete a research component. The dissertation is a research project carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff, from either Birkbeck or UCL, who has research interests in the area of the project. For students taking the MSc, you will be required to collate and analyse statistical data for your dissertation project. For students taking the MA, you will be required to conduct a literature review for your dissertation.
Part-time
If studied on a part-time basis, the course will take place over two years.
The course comprises seven taught modules and a dissertation. You will be expected to attend both UCL and Birkbeck for lectures and will be granted access to both institutions’ facilities.
The taught modules on the course are lecture-based theory modules and practical laboratory modules, designed to provide you with a firm foundation in the different topics relevant to educational neuroscience. You will also be required to complete a research component.
In the first year of the course, students take the compulsory modules Genetics of Development, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at Birkbeck, plus Issues in Educational Neuroscience at UCL. Students also take one optional module from a selection offered by UCL (see below).
In the second year, students take the compulsory modules Advanced Quantitative Methods and Neuroimaging Methods at Birkbeck, plus one optional module from a selection offered by UCL and a dissertation. The dissertation is a research project carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff, from either Birkbeck or UCL, who has research interests in the area of the project. For students taking the MSc, you will be required to collate and analyse statistical data for your dissertation project. For students taking the MA, you will be required to conduct a literature review for your dissertation.
Compulsory modules
- Issues in Educational Neuroscience
Optional modules
- Social and Individual Development
- Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development
- Individual Differences and Social Psychology in Education
- Cognitive Development and Learning
- Psychological Aspects of Counselling
- Autism: Research and Practice
- Reading and Spelling Difficulties
- Maths and Science Learning
- Psychological and Sociological Perspectives on Inclusion and Special Educational Need
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 210 credits. Upon successful completion of 210 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Educational Neuroscience.
What this course will give you
The Department of Psychology and Human Development at IOE brings together staff with research and teaching interests that encompass psychological approaches to learning, development, and teaching from early childhood to adulthood.
The Centre for Educational Neuroscience (CEN) was formed in 2008 to promote applications of cognitive neuroscience within educational research, and build partnerships with professionals to translate findings into new practice. The CEN involves 30+ academic staff with expertise in developmental psychology, pedagogy and learning technologies (UCL), cognitive neuroscience and educational psychology (UCL) and developmental neuroscience and computational modelling (Birkbeck).
The CEN established the MA/MSc in Educational Neuroscience, with an intake of psychology graduates and education professionals, which feeds into an ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council)-accredited doctoral training pathway.
Students choosing this course will benefit from cutting-edge research-led teaching, gaining exposure to the latest advancements in educational neuroscience. The course’s interdisciplinary nature allows students to draw on expertise from leading researchers across developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and learning technologies. Additionally, the two departments' strong ties to professionals in the field provide opportunities to translate theory into practice through hands-on learning experiences. The established link to an ESRC-accredited doctoral training pathway offers students a clear route to further academic study and research, making this an ideal course for those wishing to pursue careers in educational psychology, research, or related professions.
The foundation of your career
Graduates can pursue career paths in psychology, education and policy development. Possible professions include:
- child/youth psychologist
- teacher
- special educational needs teacher
- learning mentor
- youth worker.
Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed in:
- teaching and senior educational leadership in schools
- educational consultancy
- policy work and the Civil Service
- science communication
- research-intensive universities
- charitable foundations.
Employability
Students gain experience of thinking critically about how to apply scientific theories and findings to educational practice, and how to build an evidence base for education. These are crucial skills that aid career development in both the science and the education sectors.
Networking
Students will have opportunities to attend research centre seminars, journal clubs and research talks.