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Clinical Neuroscience: Neuromuscular Disease MRes

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2026/27 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Clinical Neuroscience: Neuromuscular Disease MRes (2025/26), click here

UK students International students

Study mode

Full-time

UK tuition fees (2026/27)

£16,800

Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)

£42,700

Duration

1 calendar year

Programme starts

September 2026

Applications accepted

Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 27 Mar 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 Bachelor's degree from a UK university 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

By studying this programme you will benefit from the cutting-edge research conducted at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and take modules in anatomy and physiology of the neuromuscular system; pathophysiology, genetic and clinical research; and clinical trends in neuromuscular diseases. You will carry out substantial projects in world-leading laboratories engaged in neuromuscular diseases and attend clinical presentations given by clinical experts.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for candidates with a background in medicine, biology, biomedical sciences or related disciplines.

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

What this course will give you

The UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology has a world-class reputation in the treatment and management of patients with a wide range of neuromuscular diseases. Our specialised peripheral nerve and muscle clinics are run by leading clinical experts in the field and who teach on this programme.

Students will have a unique opportunity to attend clinical meetings and presentations, and learn about the clinical management of a wide variety of neuromuscular diseases.

Students will also acquire specialised expertise in research into neuromuscular disease by conducting cutting-edge clinical and basic science research. We aim to educate the future generation of experts in the area of neuromuscular disease.

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 an MRes have returned to training, and scientists have progressed to their first research assistant post. This programme will enable you to advance your career to a higher specialised level or help you get more established in your career. 80% of graduates were in work or further study within 15 months of completing their studies (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022–2023).

Employability

Our portfolio of taught postgraduate programmes at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology has continued to expand in recent years. Past experience suggests that a postgraduate degree obtained from UCL significantly enhances career and promotion prospects. 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 an MRes have returned to training, and scientists have progressed to their first research assistant post.

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 a combination of lectures and practical sessions delivered by experts in various clinical and technical fields of neuromuscular disease. Lectures are supported by audio-visual aids and supplementary materials including handouts, reading lists and references to original papers.

Assessments of the compulsory and optional modules are aligned with the course learning outcomes. They are scheduled in a logical order to support the academic journey of our students, and at fixed timepoints during the second and third terms to optimise preparation and minimise disruption to other course work. The Research Methods module also provides important skills in critically analysing papers and research outcomes.

We provide a diverse range of assessment approaches across the programme, including MCQ exams, timed unseen essays, patient leaflet and grant writing assignments. The research project will be assessed by a written dissertation.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time (around 25-30 hours per week), for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Modules

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of compulsory and optional modules.

The programme is delivered through basic science and clinical lectures.

Teaching is organised in sequence for the compulsory modules; optional modules may result in some overlap in teaching/assessment and you will be asked to review modules at the beginning of the academic year.

Compulsory modules

Research Methods and Introduction to Statistics

Research Project: MRes Neuromuscular Disease

Optional modules

Motoneurons, Neuromuscular Junctions and Associated Disease

Advanced Genetic Technologies and their Clinical Applications

Skeletal Muscle and Associated Diseases

Peripheral Nerves and Associated Diseases

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 MRes in Clinical Neuroscience: Neuromuscular Disease.

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

Additional costs

Any student who undertakes a clinical research project based at University College London Hospitals will be required to complete a DBS check. There is no fee for home students who complete a DBS check with UCL. The cost of the DBS application is paid for by the UCL department. International students will however need to bear any costs incurred in acquiring certification equivalent to DBS (Police check) in their home country.

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

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 Neuromuscular Disease at graduate level
Why you want to study Neuromuscular Disease at UCL
What particularly attracts you to this programme
How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
Where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

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.

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.