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MSc Cognitive Neuroscience

  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months Part Time: 24 months
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months Part Time: 24 months

With MSc Cognitive Neuroscience gain a firm grounding in interdisciplinary cognitive neuroscience, as well as classical psychology and neuropsychology with options in developmental psychology and psychopathology.

This course is designed to train you for further research and study, ideally for a doctoral programme in psychology, neuroscience, clinical psychology, or a related field. It is research intensive, providing essential training in analytical ability, methods awareness and critical thinking, among other highly valuable transferable skills such as programming.

You will receive training in both neurobiology and psychological aspects of cognitive neuroscience and highly transferable analytical skills such as statistics and programming. You will also have the opportunity to engage in research with the NHS Berkshire Memory and Cognition Research Centre, the Centre for Autism and the NHS Anxiety and Depression in Young People Research Unit.

You will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, and will be encouraged to use our excellent facilities including brain imaging systems, and eye-tracking, psychophysiology, nutritional testing, and virtual reality and haptic laboratories.

Our School is housed in a modern building with extensive teaching and research facilities, including a state-of-the-art multi-million pound neuroimaging centre, including fMRI, EEG and TMS facilities, and three NHS Clinics. The School also hosts significant computing facilities for modelling and analytical purposes.

In addition to the facilities and resources provided in our on-campus University Library, our department provides a dedicated study room for MSc students complete with computing facilities. There is a further separate student resources room which can be used for quiet study or group discussions, which has Wi-Fi and kitchen facilities.

Overall, 99% of graduates from Psychology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation; of those in full-time employment, 96% are in graduate-level roles. (Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes postgraduate [taught] Psychology responders)

For more information, please visit the School of Psychology's website.

Overview

With MSc Cognitive Neuroscience gain a firm grounding in interdisciplinary cognitive neuroscience, as well as classical psychology and neuropsychology with options in developmental psychology and psychopathology.

This course is designed to train you for further research and study, ideally for a doctoral programme in psychology, neuroscience, clinical psychology, or a related field. It is research intensive, providing essential training in analytical ability, methods awareness and critical thinking, among other highly valuable transferable skills such as programming.

You will receive training in both neurobiology and psychological aspects of cognitive neuroscience and highly transferable analytical skills such as statistics and programming. You will also have the opportunity to engage in research with the NHS Berkshire Memory and Cognition Research Centre, the Centre for Autism and the NHS Anxiety and Depression in Young People Research Unit.

You will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, and will be encouraged to use our excellent facilities including brain imaging systems, and eye-tracking, psychophysiology, nutritional testing, and virtual reality and haptic laboratories.

Our School is housed in a modern building with extensive teaching and research facilities, including a state-of-the-art multi-million pound neuroimaging centre, including fMRI, EEG and TMS facilities, and three NHS Clinics. The School also hosts significant computing facilities for modelling and analytical purposes.

In addition to the facilities and resources provided in our on-campus University Library, our department provides a dedicated study room for MSc students complete with computing facilities. There is a further separate student resources room which can be used for quiet study or group discussions, which has Wi-Fi and kitchen facilities.

Overall, 99% of graduates from Psychology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation; of those in full-time employment, 96% are in graduate-level roles. (Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes postgraduate [taught] Psychology responders)

For more information, please visit the School of Psychology's website.

Entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2.1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK. Your undergraduate degree should be in psychology or a related discipline (for example, cognitive neuroscience), reflect psychology as a scientific discipline, and have included the study of brain and behaviour.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1

Compulsory modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

Empirical Project

Code:

PYM0EP

Convenor:

DR Eva Feredoes

Summary:

The purpose of this module is to expose students to empirical research in psychology. By designing, undertaking and reporting their own research project, students will develop a range of research and transferable skills.

Assessment Method:

Dissertation 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

fMRI Data Analysis

Code:

PYM0FM

Convenor:

DR Etienne Roesch

Summary:

The purpose of this module is to provide students with working knowledge about the brain in the field of cognitive neuroscience, and practical experience of analysing fMRI data. The module interweaves lectures and hands-on experience of data processing, using the University cloud computing infrastructure. Students will familiarise themselves with each step of a typical processing pipeline, learn how to script and automate analyses, and be introduced to the best practices in reproducible neuroimaging.  Students enrolling on this module should be confident and competent with Undergraduate level statistics, and possess general computing skills (for more information see Outline Content).

Assessment Method:

Report 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Placement

Code:

PYM0PL2

Convenor:

DR Davina Ledermann

Summary:

The module provides students with an opportunity to work with an established researcher, or team of researchers, in psychology, or neuroscience.  The principal researcher will generally be a member of academic staff in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences at the University of Reading. Exceptionally, with the agreement of the Programme Director, the placement may be conducted elsewhere.  Allocation to any particular placement is the decision of the Module Convenor. 

Students will be exposed to practical issues in research. They will work on practical problems and write a report about their activities, the skills they have acquired and what they have learned about the particular research field in which they have been embedded. 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 60%, Report 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Project Preparation

Code:

PYM0PP

Convenor:

DR Eva Feredoes

Summary:

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to some of the key activities for research in psychology or language science. Students will receive teaching in generic and transferable research skills. 

Assessment Method:

Oral 30%, Report 70%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Data Collection & Analysis 1

Code:

PYM0S1

Convenor:

DR Eugene McSorley

Summary:

Via seminars and workshops the module will enable students to apply and interpret core descriptive and inferential statistics using R, thus developing an understanding of strategies of data analysis and their applications to psychological research.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Data Collection & Analysis 2

Code:

PYM0S2

Convenor:

DR Eugene McSorley

Summary:

Via a mix of seminars and workshops, the module will extend students' theoretical and practical knowledge of data analysis, and of general statistical concepts such as general linear models.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience

Code:

PYMCAN

Convenor:

PROF Carien Van Reekum

Summary:

Building on undergraduate-level knowledge of cognitive neuroscience, the purpose of this module is to engage students with the current state of knowledge and debate in a selection of topics that fall under the umbrella terms “cognitive and affective neuroscience”. Topics reflect the expertise in our School and include: emotion (including pain) and regulation of emotion, cognitive control, beliefs and decision-making, and lifespan development of cognition-emotion interaction.  

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Methods in Cognition and Neuroscience

Code:

PYMMCN

Convenor:

PROF Philip Beaman

Summary:

The purpose of this module is to inform students about some of the methods used in the study of cognition and neuroscience research. The focus of the module is on methodological issues in the study of cognitive psychology and neuroscience, for example understanding the function of the brain using fMRI, EEG and TMS. Students read set material and discuss it in a series of seminars. Students are required to make informal presentations of written material.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Programming for Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences

Code:

PYMPBC1

Convenor:

DR Peter Scarfe

Summary:

Being able to program experiments and understand experimental design in an essential component of doing scientific research in Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience. This course will introduce you to programming and experimental design in Matlab, with the Psychtoolbox and Palamedes packages. The primary focus will be on Matlab is this is one of the most widely used programming languages in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience.

Assessment Method:

Practical 70%, Class test 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Code Module Convenor
PYM0EP Empirical Project DR Eva Feredoes
PYM0FM fMRI Data Analysis DR Etienne Roesch
PYM0PL2 Placement DR Davina Ledermann
PYM0PP Project Preparation DR Eva Feredoes
PYM0S1 Data Collection & Analysis 1 DR Eugene McSorley
PYM0S2 Data Collection & Analysis 2 DR Eugene McSorley
PYMCAN Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience PROF Carien Van Reekum
PYMMCN Methods in Cognition and Neuroscience PROF Philip Beaman
PYMPBC1 Programming for Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences DR Peter Scarfe

These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £12,100

New international students: £25,800

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

 

Careers

This course will particularly appeal to those interested in academic, clinical and research careers where knowledge of human cognitive and emotional systems is relevant.

All of our MSc programmes are research intensive, providing essential training in analytical ability, methods awareness and critical thinking, among other fundamental transferable skills. The MSc Cognitive Neuroscience is designed to train you for further research and study, ideally for a doctoral programme in psychology, neuroscience, clinical psychology, or a related field. Our students regularly move on to PhD positions, applied and clinical psychology posts in the NHS and private sector, as well as research-based positions in industry.

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