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Clinical Neurology MSc

Distance learning programme

The Clinical Neurology MSc by distance learning programme is aimed at medical doctors who are looking to further their knowledge and skills in clinical neurology. The fully interactive programme provides scientific and clinical knowledge through online lectures, several opportunities of clinical case discussion, case-based learning through online forums and video conference with tutors and research supervisors.

UK students International students
Study mode
Flexible
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
This programme is only available to Distance Learning students and is only available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£24,100
This programme is only available to Distance Learning students and is only available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
Not applicable
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
All applicants: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A first degree in Medicine (MBBS) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants must hold registration with the UK General Medical Council (GMC), or be fully registered in their home country.

The English language level for this programme 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


On this MSc you will acquire skills for neurological examinations and diagnostics that are applicable in day-to-day clinical practice and the principles of clinical research. Our teaching focuses on clinical approach and scientific basis of common neurological conditions such as headache, epilepsy, stroke, nerve and muscle disorders, demyelinating disorders, and CNS infections. It covers interpretation of investigations used in neurological practice such as neuroimaging and electrodiagnosis. Basic aspects of neurosurgery, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-otology, paediatric neurology, and neuropsychiatry are also covered.

Who this course is for

  • Any practicing doctor or general physician looking to update their knowledge and skills in clinical neurology
  • Early career doctors aiming for further training or research in neurology or neurosurgery
  • Overseas trained doctors, physicians and neurologists 
  • Trained specialists in related fields such as acute medicine, stroke, geriatrics, psychiatry, paediatrics to enhance their sub-speciality interest in neurology.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The Clinical Neurology MSc by distance learning:

  • Allows you to enhance the knowledge in neurology through learning from experts based at Queen Square;
  • Enhances the chances of getting into further education or training;
  • Allows cross disciplinary learning in neurology for doctors looking to sub-specialise.

The Queen Square Institute of Neurology provides:

  • A national resource for postgraduate training and research in neurology
  • A focus on clinical and applied scientific activity
  • A Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Neurology (by Distance Learning) has been running successfully since 2012 with over 80 students based across the world
  • Flexible learning - you can access teaching sessions remotely at any time
  • Contact with a programme tutor and a research project supervisor based at Queen Square.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This programme can increase your chance of getting into formal training or research. For GPs or physicians and specialists in stroke, geriatrics, psychiatry, and paediatrics, you can develop your sub-specialist interest in neurology.

Employability

This programme provides an excellent basis for a clinical or research career in clinical neurology and related disciplines.

100% of our students are in graduate-level work or study 15 months after completion of this programme (based on the latest Graduate Outcomes survey 2021-22).

Networking

There are networking opportunities both with fellow students and with the course tutor. Students on the course are working doctors based around the world. Each one will have their own expertise and knowledge. We try and facilitate student-student interactions by providing, and encouraging use of, student forums. In addition, networking possibilities exist with and via the course tutor. Additional networking opportunities exist for the final research year via the project supervisor.

Teaching and learning

The teaching and learning methods on this course are very student centred, with considerable flexibility on when the online lectures on the course are studied in preparation for both MCQ and written case-based assessments. Self-directed learning is therefore an important element on the course. In addition to this we promote the use of student-student interactions in learning via our course forum pages, encouraging involvement in learning opportunities with activities such as journal clubs.

Later in the course we build the earlier written case discussions to assess live online structured case reviews of hypothetical cases and essays as part of the assessment in the advanced modules.

In preparation for the final year research project (typically a systematic review), we provide online learning for systematic reviews and on aspects of academic writing.

Teaching on this programme is led by experts based at Queen Square in London, a world-renowned centre for clinical neurology and neuroscience, and is delivered through:

  • online sessions using multimedia and videos, interactive graphs, case scenarios, illustrations and forums;
  • learning through real-world case examples;
  • assessments are by multiple choice questions, essays; structured case reviews, tutor assessments and 10,000-word dissertation.

The time spent learning online varies per rate of study and module taken. Overall, we suggest students dedicate 12-15 hours per week self-study time.

Modules

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. You can choose when you wish to take modules throughout the five years of enrolment, but must have completed all taught modules before commencing the research project. The programme comprises more than 400 sessions covering a comprehensive range of neurological topics. Sessions cover a wide variety of neurological conditions, and include some sessions on neurosurgery, neurophysiology and neuropathology. There is great flexibility about when a student goes through the e-lectures of the module they are on. There is less flexibility with course assessments, which have set dates.

Compulsory modules











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. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Clinical Neurology.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £24,100

This programme is only available to Distance Learning students and is only available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

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

There are no additional costs for this programme.

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 £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. 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

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

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Clinical Neurology
  • What particularly attracts you to the programme
  • How you think you might manage the demands of a distance learning programme
  • How this qualification might help you in your future clinical career, bearing in mind that this degree is not a direct entry route into neurology training.

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

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology

ion.dladmin@ucl.ac.uk

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