MSc Cognitive Neuroscience

• Brain Structure &  Function: This unit provides an overview of basic human functional neuroanatomy. You will learn about the principles underlying the anatomical organisation and functional segregation of the human brain, as well as the necessary neuroanatomical background to develop relevant research questions in cognitive neuroscience. 
• Experimental Design in Cognitive Neuroscience: The theoretical component of the unit covers a range of approaches to experimental design in cognitive neuroscience and critical evaluation of current practices in designing experiments. The practical component of the unit illustrates principles of experimental design by using relevant examples from the published studies focusing on a technique-specific design, limitation, and advantages, ways to control unwanted variables, common pitfalls, and neuroethics. The unit aims to prepare students for undertaking an independent research project in cognitive neuroscience 
• Critical Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience: The unit provides a comprehensive overview of the critical issues in cognitive neuroscience, the scientific study of the underlying biological processes of cognition. Current research issues (e.g., modularity vs. brain connectivity) will be discussed and supplemented with recent peer-reviewed journal articles. 
• Advanced Research Methods: The unit covers a range of research methods and a tool used for conducting advanced level research, and describes the intricacies of experimental design in such contexts. The unit aims to prepare students for undertaking independent research using advanced research techniques.  
• Advanced Statistics: You will learn and apply a range of statistical techniques intended for analysing data from psychological research. These are advanced techniques which are not covered at undergraduate level, but they build on statistical knowledge that you should have acquired in your undergraduate course.  
• Key Transferable Skills - Presentation & Scientific Writing: In this unit, you'll gain key skills for interpreting, presenting and writing research. Topics will include writing research and grant proposals, presentation skills and the development of advanced writing skills. 
• Research Project: You will work closely with a member of staff engaging in discussions in order to choose an appropriate research project based around a particular topic that interests you, or expanding an element from the course that you want to pursue further, perhaps linked to your future career aspirations.  

For the MSc Cognitice Neuropsychology we are looking for applicants who:

• are keen to develop their knowledge in how the brain supports cognitive processing & behaviour
• are interested in biological psychology
• want to gain hands-on experience of brain imaging, electrophysiology, and brain stimulation.

Please see our website for the application deadlines. You should apply as early as possible to be considered for your course of choice. If you require a student visa, apply for the visa as soon as you have an unconditional offer and receive your CAS. There may be delays in visa processing in your country and you need to be in Bournemouth ready to study for the start of term.

Click the green ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application free of charge online through myHub, our application portal. You will create your own myHub account so that you can track the progress of your application. Don’t forget to save your application as you go; you can return to it at as many times as you want before you submit it. For more information visit our How to apply section.

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application; there are usually no interviews or selection activities needed. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

The normal requirements for embarking upon this degree are:

• A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2, or equivalent in a required subject
• Required subjects are: Psychology, Biomedical Science, Biological Science, Physical Science (such as Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Sport Science) or a related discipline

​If you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, there are several alternative routes to follow - some based on experience. Contact the Future Students Enquiry team for more information.

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry:

• India: Bachelor’s degree (4 years) from a recognised HE institution with a minimum overall result of 55% 
• Nigeria:  Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with a minimum classification of 2:4 
• China:  Chinese Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognised higher education institution with 65% or above 
• Turkey: Bachelor’s degree (Lisans Diplomasi - four years) with a minimum overall GPA of 2.3/4.0 
• Vietnam:  Bachelor's degree/Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with an average score of 6.5/10, or 2.25/4, or a Master’s degree/Thac si. 

All applications will be subject to a minimum grade and your degree may need to be in a relevant subject area.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements, for this course are normally:

• IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.
• You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

View further information about our English language requirements.

Bournemouth University International College offers a number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes to prepare international students for postgraduate study at BU. Admission to the degree is guaranteed on successful completion of your course to the required level. 

As a Cognitive Neuropsychology graduate, you will be prepared to undertake roles such as:

• Cognitive Neuroscientist
• Academic Researcher
• Lecturer
• Data Analyst
• PhD Student

Other areas of employment would be within cognitive neuroscience and related fields, including psychology, computing, neuroscience, medicine and computer science. Your future position could be in the NHS, education, academia or the private sector.

After completing this comprehensive programme in the study of brain and cognition, you will be well prepared for a PhD programme in cognitive neuroscience. If you want to continue your studies after achieving your Master’s, you can look into our range of doctoral programmes.

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course, including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses
• Accommodation and living costs. Please visit our website for more information.
• Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable).
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website.
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study
• SportBU membership.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

If you need to repeat one or more units during the course of your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full time fee.

We offer a range of scholarships to students who are beginning their studies at BU. Our fees and funding pages also provide details on living costs, budgeting and paying your tuition fees.

International (not Rep. of Ireland) students need to pay a non-refundable £3,000 deposit to secure their place on a postgraduate course. You will need to pay your deposit by the date stated in your offer letter. The remainder of your fee will be payable on registration/enrolment. There are two exceptions to the non-refundable rule on the deposit:

• You fail to meet the academic or English requirements of your offer
• You are refused a visa to enter the UK, provided the reason for the refusal is not a fraudulent application.

Ala has completed her degree in Cognitive Neuroscience at Birmingham University (School of Psychology) in 2012. Prior to coming to Bournemouth, she held post doc and senior post doc positions at The Centre of Cognitive Neuropsychology at Oxford University and lectureship position at Liverpool Hope University.

Her research interest lies in social cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging.

Matteo is a lecturer at BU since 2021. He works on visual and haptic perception and combines eye movement recordings with computer graphics and machine learning. 

Federica's research interests lie in the field of Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience. She studies visual cognition, and is particularly interested in the foveal and parafoveal processes during reading and the link between behavioural and neural measures. She uses a variety of experimental techniques such as eye movements, event-related potentials, and their co-registration in her research.