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Brain and Mind Sciences MSc

London, Bloomsbury

UK students International students

Study mode

Full-time

UK tuition fees (2026/27)

£16,800

Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)

£42,700

Duration

1 academic year

Programme starts

September 2026

Applications accepted

Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in neuroscience or related biological science (e.g. physiology, psychology, biochemistry); or a medical degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. If you have not studied basic cellular neuroscience in your undergraduate degree, you will be required to do an introductory module during the first year of studies at UCL.

Applicants must be able to follow a postgraduate curriculum in both the French and English languages as the programme involves a year of study in London and a year of study in Paris.

Please note: You must have successfully completed the UCL year (year one) in order to progress to year two in Paris.

The English language level for this course is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

You will develop an understanding of cognitive sciences and neurosciences, exploring how mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, network, and system levels influence normal brain function and disease. You will design your own curriculum in both London and Paris, tailoring your studies to your own area of interest. The individualised nature of the programme attracts intellectually mature students who are confident enough to define their own research path. Students will graduate with a Master's from UCL (awarded at the end Year 1), and an international university diploma (Master's level) from Sorbonne/ENS (on completion of Year 2). Upon successful completion of the MSc programme, students will be able to embark upon a successful career in their chosen field of research.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for students who will benefit from a personalised programme of study and research in the neurosciences and cognitive science disciplines relevant to a career in brain and mind sciences. All students will be rigorously selected on the basis of academic excellence and academic recommendation.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

You will benefit not only from the high-quality teaching and training available through the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (QSIoN), but also through our partners in Paris, at Campus Pierre et Marie Curie at Sorbonne University, and Ecole Normale Supérieure.

You will undertake two distinct research projects, one at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and another at Campus Pierre et Marie Curie at Sorbonne University, and Ecole Normale Supérieure.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

The opportunity to undertake original research in two centres of excellence makes the successful student more attractive to potential PhD supervisors, as evidenced by the fact that the majority of graduating students go on to full-time doctoral studies. 92% of graduates from this course were in work or further study within 15 months of completing their studies (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022–2023).

Employability

Graduates of the MSc Brain and Mind Sciences develop a deep interdisciplinary understanding of neuroscience and cognitive science, alongside strong analytical, research, and communication skills. They gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge techniques, collaborate across disciplines and cultures, and are well-prepared for careers in research, healthcare, or further academic study.

Networking

The QSIoN is home to some of the world's most influential academics. By studying with us, students will have the opportunity to be part of the next generation of experts in neuroscience. We are home to some of the world's most influential researchers and offer a wealth of scientific and clinical expertise, from laboratory benches through to patient care.

Many of our lecturers are also NHS consultants working at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery which is a leading centre for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with a wide range of neurological conditions.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered (depending on the taught modules selected) through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical workshops. Lectures are supported by audio-visual aids and supplementary materials, including hand-outs, reading lists and references to original papers and/or reviews.

Depending on the taught modules selected, assessment is through a variety of methods including coursework, examination, library project, research dissertation and oral examination.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students will also display a level of independent study (25-30 hours per week), for example, by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the programme.

Modules

During the UCL year, the programme consists of up to six taught modules, a library project, and a research project. Learning outcomes are variable depending on which modules you choose to study, although any available module aligns to the overall programme learning outcomes.

Students choose up to six modules from the following degrees:

Clinical Neuroscience MSc
Neuroscience MSc
Philosophy MA
Clinical Neuroscience: Neuromuscular Disease MSc
Cognitive and Decision Sciences MSc
Cognitive Neuroscience MSc
Advanced Neuroimaging MSc
Dementia: from Neuroscience to Clinical Practice MSc
Translational Neuroscience MRes.

Choosing a module is always dependent on its availability in the current year; other UCL departments may cap module numbers or make them available only to their own students, therefore it is not guaranteed you will be able to take modules outside QSIoN. You are invited to make enquiries with the relevant departments before the year begins. Most modules at the QSIoN are not capped and are available to all but you should check for timetable/assessment clashes and discuss with the programme team.

Students must have successfully completed the UCL year in order to progress to Paris. Students will be enrolled as a UCL student for Year 1 only. They will only be enrolled at Campus Pierre et Marie Curie at Sorbonne University, and Ecole Normale Supérieure for Year 2.

Compulsory modules

Library Project: MSc Brain and Mind Sciences

Research Project: MSc Brain and Mind Sciences

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. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits in the first year of the course at UCL and are registered UCL students only for the duration of Year 1. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Brain and Mind Sciences.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£16,800
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£42,700

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

At UCL, international students will bear any costs incurred in acquiring certification equivalent to DBS (Police check) in their home country. These checks are necessary for any student who undertakes a clinical project at UCLH.

In addition, studying abroad during your course is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.

There is financial support available to students who continue the course in Paris. Students can refer to https://www.campusfrance.org/en/bursaries-foreign-students for more information.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

The UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology offers a number of scholarships for postgraduate taught students. For further information and to apply visit our scholarship page.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding should take note of the funding application deadlines.

There is no application fee for this course.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

Why you want to study a two-year, two-centre Master's programme
What you think the strengths of a "pick and mix" curriculum are
How you think your previous academic and/or research experience might help you meet the demands of the programme
What languages you speak, and to what level
Whether or not you want to do a PhD, or other professional scientific or clinical training when you complete the programme.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please ensure you mention your plans for both the London and Paris years in your personal statement. Please note you will be enrolled at UCL only during Year 1 of the Programme.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This course only requires one reference in support of your application. Your reference should be academic unless you have been out of university education for more than four years. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.