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Clinical Neuroscience MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This well-established and highly competitive MSc provides specialist training in the basic scientific principles of modern neuroscience, and in the application of these principles to the understanding of a wide variety of neurological disorders. You will benefit from studying in an internationally renowned and research-intensive environment at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,800
£8,400
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£42,700
£21,350
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 27 Mar 2026

Applications closed

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 an appropriate subject (neuroscience or related biological science e.g. physiology, psychology, pharmacology, biochemistry; or a medical degree from a UK university), Bachelor's degree in a profession allied to medicine (e.g. nursing, physiotherapy, occupational health) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required.

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

The Clinical Neuroscience MSc is a pioneering Master's programme taught at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology. UCL is the top-ranked university in the UK for research power in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience according to the UK’s most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021.

On this programme, you will cover the fundamental cellular, molecular, genetic and systems level basis of both common and unusual neurological disease. It will relate the underlying pathophysiology to behavioural (or clinical) manifestations of neurological disease and will identify potential therapeutic targets that can halt or even reverse disease progression, or ameliorate disabling symptoms.

Through our partnership with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, students benefit from learning from researchers linked to the UK's largest dedicated neurological and neurosurgical hospital and reflecting our commitment to translational research.

During your research project, you will have the opportunity to further develop your in-depth knowledge within a particular area of neuroscience. You will engage with current research at UCL, reflecting the Institute's cutting-edge research focus and environment.

Who this course is for

This MSc is suitable for clinical graduates with some experience in the neurosciences, and for non-clinical graduates with a degree in neuroscience or related subjects (psychology, biological sciences). The programme is aimed at those pursuing a career in professions relevant for clinical neuroscience and provides training for a future research career in basic and clinical neuroscience.

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

What this course will give you

The mission of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology is to carry out high-quality research, teaching and training in basic and clinical neurosciences. Together with our associated hospital, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, the Institute promotes the translation of research that is of direct clinical relevance to improved patient care and treatment.

With its concentration of clinical and applied scientific activity the institute is a unique national resource for postgraduate training in neuroscience, and this MSc enhances the scientific skills of clinicians and provides non-clinical graduates with insight into clinical problems that will allow them to work alongside clinicians in clinical research projects. Students are given the opportunity to take an original research project in a world-renowned centre of excellence. Publications routinely result from the best MSc projects. 

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

The foundation of your career

Many of our graduates have undertaken further study at PhD level, or have successfully applied to medical school. Some clinicians who took time out to obtain a higher qualification have returned to training, and scientists have progressed to become post-doctoral researchers. 92% of our students were in highly skilled work, further study or volunteering within 15 months of graduating (Most recent Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022–23 data). 

The Clinical Neuroscience MSc is an incredibly well-supported programme with an accessible education team. I particularly enjoyed my optional modules, which enabled me to deep dive into specific techniques in basic neuroscience research that were previously unfamiliar to me as a medical student.

tsi_lok_ho

Tsi Lok Ho

Clinical Neuroscience MSc

Read more

Employability

This programme will enable you to advance your career to a higher specialised level or help become more established in your career through our research-embedded clinical teaching. As well as gaining knowledge in the field of clinical neuroscience, the extended research project will enable you to gain many transferable skills in conducting research in the clinical and medical science area.

Networking

The Queen Square Institute of Neurology 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 through small and large group lectures. Lectures are supported by audio-visual aids and supplementary materials including handouts, reading lists and references to original papers.

Assessment is through unseen and multiple-choice examination, unseen short answer question examination, seen essay, library project (if applicable), research project. 

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

The programme consists of five compulsory modules (90 credits), either a library project or two optional modules (30 credits) and a research project (60 credits).

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Clinical Neuroscience.

You will gain knowledge of the clinical features and scientific basis of both common and unusual neurological disorders including a study of: genetics of CNS disorders; brain metabolism, neurotransmitters and neurodegeneration; autoimmune disease and repair mechanisms; epilepsy; nociception and pain; motor control; basal ganglia/movement disorders; hearing, balance, vision and eye-movements, cognition and dementia.

Teaching is organised in sequence for the compulsory modules; optional modules may result in some overlap in teaching/assessment and students are advised to review modules at the beginning of the Academic Year.

The programme consists of five compulsory modules (90 credits), either a library project or two optional modules (30 credits) and a research project (60 credits).

You will complete modules over two years. In Year 1 you will complete all compulsory taught modules and in Year 2 you will complete the Research Project. You can choose to complete optional modules in either year 1 or year 2.

Compulsory modules








Optional 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 Neuroscience.

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.

Where you'll study

National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

The UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology is a global leader in neuroscience. Part of the Faculty of Brain Sciences, we are at the forefront of the mission to translate neuroscience discovery into diagnostics and treatments for patients with neurological diseases.

Find out more

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Introduction to Clinical Neuroscience, Neuroimaging and Dementia

Welcome to the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and our suite of Masters programmes. During both sessions you'll get to hear from the programme Directorship about the Institute as well as a showcase of our flagship programmes. We'll discuss the course structure and modules for each and the career outcomes and life as a student in the department, UCL and London more widely.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Introduction to Clinical Neuroscience, Neuroimaging and Dementia

Welcome to the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and our suite of Masters programmes. During both sessions you'll get to hear from the programme Directorship about the Institute as well as a showcase of our flagship programmes. We'll discuss the course structure and modules for each and the career outcomes and life as a student in the department, UCL and London more widely.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800 £8,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £42,700 £21,350

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.

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 based at University College London Hospitals.

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 (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course 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 Neuroscience at UCL
  • What particularly attracts you to the programme
  • How you think your previous academic and/or research experience might help you meet the demands of the programme
  • How the degree might fit into your future career plans.

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 courses (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: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

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

m.khanom@ucl.ac.uk

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