Second year undergraduates in a chemistry lab session, Chemistry building, University Park. November 5th 2021.

Neuroscience MSci

Medical School Building and University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK

Qualification	Entry Requirements	Start Date	UCAS code	Duration	Fees
MSci Hons	AAB	September 2024	B141	4 years full-time	£9,250 per year

How to apply

Get in touch

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Qualification	Entry Requirements	Start Date	UCAS code	Duration	Fees
MSci Hons	AAB	September 2024	B141	4 years full-time	£9,250 per year

How to apply

Get in touch

Course information

Are you an international student?

Royal Society of Biology Advanced Accreditation

Advanced Degree Accreditation highlights the degrees that have the potential to educate the life science leaders and innovators of the future. Advanced accredited degrees have been shown to provide graduates with the skills and experience needed to enter a successful career in the biosciences.

Royal Society of Biology Advanced Accreditation

Advanced Degree Accreditation highlights the degrees that have the potential to educate the life science leaders and innovators of the future. Advanced accredited degrees have been shown to provide graduates with the skills and experience needed to enter a successful career in the biosciences.
Start date:
September 2024

September 2024
IB score

34

IB requirements

including two Higher Level science subjects at grade 5, including one from Biology or Chemistry.

IELTS

6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element).

English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

High school qualifications

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country

A level

AAB

Required subjects

A Levels

Two science subjects, one of which must be biology/human biology and/or chemistry. Second science subject can be from biology, chemistry, electronics, geography, geology, human biology, maths, computer science, statistics, physics or psychology.

A pass is normally required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately. Due to the disruption to examinations in 2020/2021, if you completed your A levels during this time we will waive the requirement for a pass in the practical.

GCSE

GCSE English language and maths at grade 4 are also required.

Additional entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

Non-UK entry requirements
Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
- RQF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science DDD considered on a case by case basis.
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science at DD plus 1 A level in Biology or Chemistry at grade A.
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus 2 A levels including Biology or Chemistry and an acceptable second science at AB.
- Access to HE Diploma with 30 Level 3 graded credits at Distinction including 15 credits in Biology and Chemistry and 15 credits in an acceptable second science subject. The remaining 15 graded credits must be obtained at Merit or above.
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

MSci Progression requirements

MSci students should have a minimum of 55% in the first year of studies in order to continue on the (Neuroscience) MSci programme.

Foundation progression options

Neuroscience is one of the progression pathways for our Science with a Foundation Year course. Requirements for progression are:
- Foundation Biological Science - 55%
- Foundation Chemistry - 55%
- Overall pass - 40%
Contextual offer

In order to recognise the potential of talented students from all backgrounds we make contextual offers for this course to students who have international fee status. These offers could be one or two grades lower than the advertised standard entry requirements. Please see this page for further information.

Mature Students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.
A level

AAB

Required subjects

A Levels

Two science subjects, one of which must be biology/human biology and/or chemistry. Second science subject can be from biology, chemistry, electronics, geography, geology, human biology, maths, computer science, statistics, physics or psychology.

A pass is normally required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately. Due to the disruption to examinations in 2020/2021, if you completed your A levels during this time we will waive the requirement for a pass in the practical.

GCSE

GCSE English language and maths at grade 4 are also required.

IB score

34

IB requirements

including two Higher Level science subjects at grade 5, including one from Biology or Chemistry.

Additional entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

UK entry requirements
Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
- RQF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science DDD considered on a case by case basis.
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science at DD plus 1 A level in Biology or Chemistry at grade A.
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus 2 A levels including Biology or Chemistry and an acceptable second science at AB.
- Access to HE Diploma with 30 Level 3 graded credits at Distinction including 15 credits in Biology and Chemistry and 15 credits in an acceptable second science subject. The remaining 15 graded credits must be obtained at Merit or above.
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.

Contextual offers

We recognise the potential of talented students from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement at school or college. These offers are usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

MSci Progression requirements

MSci students should have a minimum of 55% in the first year of studies in order to continue on the (Neuroscience) MSci programme.

Foundation progression options

Neuroscience is one of the progression pathways for our Science with a Foundation Year course. Requirements for progression are:
- Foundation Biological Science - 55%
- Foundation Chemistry - 55%
- Overall pass - 40%
Mature Students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.
UCAS Code:
B141

B141
Study Abroad and the Year in Industry are subject to students meeting minimum academic requirements. Opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update information as quickly as possible should a change occur.

Study Abroad and the Year in Industry are subject to students meeting minimum academic requirements. Opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
*For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

Additional costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books you will need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies.

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

International students

We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Additional costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books you will need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies.

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

Home students*

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

* A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.

Course overview

Curious about how your brain works?  Would you like to understand neurological diseases such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s at an advanced level? Then our MSci in Neuroscience is for you.

Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, in this course you'll study the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, as well as neurological diseases and disorders.

Our degree programme convers concepts from the genome through to human based clinical neuroscience.

Through optional modules and research projects, you can tailor the course to focus on the specific areas of neuroscience that interest you. You’ll be taught by leading scientists with a range of specialities to broaden your understanding of neuroscience.

Course overview

Course overview

Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, in this course you'll study the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, as well as neurological diseases and disorders.

Our degree programme convers concepts from the genome through to human based clinical neuroscience. Disciplines studied will include:

behaviour
cellular and molecular biology
experimental design
genetics
pharmacology
physiology
neuroanatomy
neuroimmune interactions
environmental neuroscience

BSc or MSci?

MSci degrees are undergraduate-level courses which last for four years and have an integrated master's qualification. They are the equivalent to a BSc plus a master's level qualification. The MSci provides additional intensive laboratory research and the opportunity for you to add in industrial experience to enhance your future career prospects.

Why choose this course?

Teaching hospital Study in one of the UK’s major teaching hospitals on a course with a strong clinical and pharmacological emphasis

Laboratory experience Laboratory experience begins in term one

Tailor your course Tailor the course to your unique interests with a range of optional modules

Student feedback High quality of teaching and student feedback

Student support A personal tutor assigned to you to provide academic and pastoral advice throughout your degree

Employability High number of our students secure employment or postgraduate education

Important information

This online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.

Indicative modules

Year one

Year two

Year three

Msci year

Mandatory

Year 1

Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Mandatory

Year 1

Core Skills in Neuroscience

Mandatory

Year 1

Human Physiology

Mandatory

Year 1

Genes, Molecules and Cells

Optional

Year 1

Life on Earth

Optional

Year 1

Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour

Mandatory

Year 2

Higher Skills in Neuroscience

Mandatory

Year 2

Building Brains

Mandatory

Year 2

Neurons and Glia

Optional

Year 2

Neurobiology of Disease

Optional

Year 2

Animal Behaviour and Physiology

Optional

Year 2

Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics

Optional

Year 2

Drugs and Diseases

Mandatory

Year 3

Neuroscience Research Project

Mandatory

Year 3

Pain and Sensory Disorders 3

Mandatory

Year 3

Advanced Skills in Neuroscience

Optional

Year 3

Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Glia

Optional

Year 3

Neuroimaging

Optional

Year 3

Neurogenetics and epigenetics

Optional

Year 3

History of Science

Optional

Year 3

Clinical Neuroscience

Optional

Year 3

Molecular Aspects of Brain Disease

Optional

Year 3

Chronobiology

Optional

Year 3

Psychpharmacology

Optional

Year 3

Mental Health and Hearing

Mandatory

Year 4

Neuroscience Research Project

Mandatory

Year 4

Advanced Skills in Neuroscience

Mandatory

Year 4

Sensational Neuroscience

Optional

Year 4

Computational Neuroscience

Optional

Year 4

Epigenetics

About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Wednesday 25 October 2023.

Fundamentals of Neuroscience Core Skills in Neuroscience Human Physiology Genes, Molecules and Cells Life on Earth Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour

This module will give you a good grounding in the basic principles of the nervous system of humans and other animals. Topics will include neuroanatomy, cellular neuroscience, neuropharmacology, sensory systems, neuroendocrinology, memory, behavioural neuroscience and diseases of the nervous system. These will be delivered through weekly lectures and practical classes.

Through lectures, workshops and tutorials this module will enable you to develop core skills in statistics, pharmacology, neuroscience methodology, scientific writing, data handling and analysis, experimental design and scientific presentations. This module is designed to develop your problem solving scientific skills. An important aspect of this module is the small-group tutorials which allow you to get to know the member of staff who will be your tutor for the duration of your studies.

In this module, you will be introduced to the physiology of major systems such as cardiovascular, nervous, and musculoskeletal, including some aspects of drug action. This module will allow you to understand your biochemical and genetics knowledge in the context of the intact organism. This module includes lectures and laboratory classes.

This module combines lectures and laboratory classes and introduces you to the structure and function of significant molecules in cells, and the important metabolic processes which occur inside them. You will study, amongst other topics, protein and enzyme structure and function, the biosynthesis of cell components, and the role of cell membranes in barrier and transport processes. You'll examine how information in DNA is used to determine the structure of gene products. Topics include DNA structure, transcription and translation and mutation and recombinant DNA technology.

Life on Earth provides an introduction to the fundamental characteristics and properties of the myriad of organisms which inhabit our planet, from viruses, bacteria and Archaea, to plants and animals. In weekly lectures, and regular laboratory practical classes, you will consider how living organisms are classified, how they are related genetically and phylogenetically, and basic aspects of their structure and function.

Starting with Darwin’s theory of evolution, you will learn how natural selection and other evolutionary forces have shaped the ways in which organisms interact with each other and their environment. In addition to lectures, practical classes will give you hands-on experience with a range of ecological and behavioural concepts in the laboratory and the field.

Neuroscience Research Project Advanced Skills in Neuroscience Sensational Neuroscience Computational Neuroscience Epigenetics

The research project is a year-long module. Preparatory work including a literature review and familiarisation with laboratory techniques and protocols occurs in the autumn semester, with the bulk of the practical work in the spring semester. You will choose the topic of your project from a list of suggestions and will finalise the experimental plan after consultation with your supervisor. Each project will involve collection of data by means such as experiment, questionnaire or observation, as well as the analysis and interpretation of the data in the context of previous work.

This module builds upon the training provided in modules taken in previous years.   Students will attend three series of small group  workshops/seminars where they 1) develop a public engagement project as a group, 2) develop data analysis and interpretation skills, and 3)  get experience of research presentations by current neuroscientists.

This module provides an overview of the processing of sensory information by the nervous system, examining the function of the somatosensory, chemosensory, visual and auditory systems. You will also develop your scientific research and evaluation skills. The module is delivered through lectures and seminar-based workshops.

Teaching methods

Lab sessions
Lectures
Seminars
Tutorials
Workshops
Practical classes
Anatomy sessions
Case-based learning
Placements
Problem-based learning
Self-study
Small group learning

Exams happen twice a year at the end of each semester. Coursework runs throughout each year and exists in many different formats.

Find out more about our teaching on our school website.

Assessment methods

Dissertation
Essay
Examinations
Lab reports
Presentation
Workplace-based assessment
Coursework
Case studies
Debates
Formative assessments
Literature review
Poster presentation
Practical exams
Practical write-ups
Short project
Verbal exam

Approximately 20 hours of contact time per week. Class sizes vary with module.

Graduates from our course have developed careers in scientific research in the pharmaceutical industry and academia. Other careers have included management, scientific writing, professions allied to medicine, teaching and graduate entry medicine.

Recent graduate destinations include:

Axol Bioscience: laboratory production scientist
Nielsen: neurophysiologist
Ashfield Healthcare UK: recruitment executive
Public Health England: healthcare scientist
Cancer Research UK: clinical trial assistant

Find out more about the career options open to neuroscience graduates.

Average starting salary and career progression

93.90% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £28,993.

HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Your Campus - University Park

University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Course data

Related courses

See all

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

3 years full-time

Neuroscience BSc Hons

Qualification
BSc Hons

Entry requirements
AAB

UCAS code
B140

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

5 years full-time

Medicine BMedSci and BMBS

Qualification
BMBS

Entry requirements
AAA

UCAS code
A100

See all

Ask us anything

Our webpages contain detailed information about all processes in your student journey. Check them out alongside our student enquiry centre to find the information you need. If you’re still struggling, head to our help page where you can find details of how to contact us in-person and online.

Neuroscience MSci

Course overview

Indicative modules

About modules

How you will learn

How you will be assessed

Contact time and study hours

Careers overview

Job prospects

Careers advice

Your Campus - University Park

Course data

Related courses

Neuroscience BSc Hons

Medicine BMedSci and BMBS

Ask us anything