Undergraduate Psychology and Human Neuroscience Degrees FAQs

Thinking about studying the mind and brain at UCL? Explore the most common questions below to find the right course for you.

Choosing Your Course

What's the difference between Psychology BSc and Human Neuroscience BSc at UCL?

Psychology BSc focuses on understanding behaviour and mental processes from a broad perspective. You'll study social interactions, memory, development, and clinical psychology, often applying this knowledge to real-world situations. This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is essential for certain career paths like clinical psychology.
Human Neuroscience BSc is run by the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and delves deeper into the biological mechanisms of the brain. You'll explore how the brain's structure and function enable us to perceive the world, move, influence our mental health, and how we communicate and interact with each other. We will also explore neurological and mental health conditions, drawing on expertise from multiple Departments across the Faculty of Brain Sciences. This programme is not BPS accredited but provides a deep specialisation for careers in neuroscience research as well as in companies with a neuroscientific focus.

What is the difference between the Psychology BSc and the Psychology with Education BSc?

Psychology BSc is run by the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences. It examines education as one of many areas where psychological principles apply, through topics like learning and memory.
Psychology with Education BSc is run by the UCL Institute of Education department. It uses psychological science as a key lens to understand and address core issues in education, education policy, and teaching.

Which undergraduate course is best for a career in clinical psychology or neuropsychology?

For clinical psychology, the Psychology BSc or Psychology and Language Sciences BSc are the direct routes, as they provide the mandatory BPS accreditation required to pursue a Clinical Psychology doctorate in the UK.
For neuropsychology, all three degrees offered by the Faculty of Brain Sciences are strong foundations. You would typically specialise further with a master's degree. The psychology degrees allow you to choose neuropsychology-focused research projects and optional modules in your final year.

Is Psychology and Language Sciences BSc an equal blend of psychology, neuroscience, and behaviour?

Psychology and Language Sciences BSc provides a full, accredited foundation in psychology, along with dedicated language sciences modules.

The structure is as follows:

Core Foundation: A full British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited curriculum in psychology.
Language Specialism: An additional, dedicated focus on language sciences, typically through:
Years 1 & 2: Approximately two language-focused modules per year.
Year 3: Full flexibility to choose your optional modules, allowing you to customise the balance between language sciences and other areas like neuroscience to suit your career goals.

Careers and Opportunities

What are the career prospects for graduates of these UCL Brain Sciences undergraduate degrees?

Psychology BSc Graduates become: Clinical Psychologists (with further study), Counsellors, Data Scientists, Behavioural Analysts, HR specialists, and Civil Service professionals.
Psychology & Language Sciences BSc Graduates pursue roles in: Speech and Language Therapy (with further study), User Experience (UX) Research, Software Development (specialising in human-computer interaction), Public Policy, and Education.
Human Neuroscience BSc Graduates will be well-suited for roles in both the academic and applied settings (public or private), for example: Researchers, Neuroscience educators and consultants, Neuromarketing specialists, with roles in Science Communication and in companies where they bridge the gap between translational research and understanding what's happening in neuroscience research.

Can I work as a Clinical Psychologist straight after completing the MSci Psychology?

No, to practise as a Clinical Psychologist in the UK, you must complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. The MSci Psychology is an excellent undergraduate master's degree that prepares you for this path, but it is not a qualification for clinical practice. After your degree, you can begin gaining essential experience in supportive roles (like an Assistant Psychologist) while you prepare your application for the doctorate programme.

Application Process

What should I include in my personal statement for a psychology or human neuroscience degree at UCL?

Focus on your academic interests: Don't just state you're interested; demonstrate it. Discuss books you've read, research studies that fascinate you, or specific questions about the human mind you want to explore.
Reflect on your experiences: If you mention work experience or reading, reflect on what you learned and how it deepened your understanding, rather than just listing it.
Showcase your skills: Highlight your aptitude for science and critical thinking. Your personal statement is one part of your application, with your predicted grades being highly important.

With limited places on the UCL Human Neuroscience BSc, what do you look for in an application?

Predicted and achieved grades are the most significant factor in our decision-making. For your personal statement, we recommend demonstrating a broad interest on the human brain rather than focusing narrowly on our specific course.

Do: Write about your general interest and motivation in neuroscience and the human brain. Discuss specific topics, recent scientific news, or books that have inspired you.
Don't: Feel you must repeatedly mention "Human Neuroscience" or tailor your statement exclusively to our course. A strong, broad science personal statement is viewed positively.
We are looking for: Genuine intellectual passion and a clear motivation for studying the brain.

Should I apply for the MSci Psychology directly through UCAS, or can I switch from the BSc later?

The most straightforward way to join the MSci Psychology course is by applying directly through UCAS. For students who begin on the BSc pathway, there is an opportunity to apply for an internal transfer after their first year. Please be aware that transferring is competitive; it requires consistently high academic performance (typically a first-class average) and is dependent on space being available in the MSci cohort.