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Educational Neuroscience MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Offered jointly by IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society and Birkbeck, the Master's in Educational Neuroscience will introduce students to the methods and findings from the emerging field of educational neuroscience. It will develop their understanding of key issues in educational neuroscience and the application of neuroscience to education and provide the opportunity for them to undertake research in educational neuroscience. We offer different module combinations to give you the choice of studying for an MA or MSc.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
Fees to be confirmed
Fees to be confirmed
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
See Fees Note
Fees to be confirmed
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted

For information about application dates for this programme please visit Birkbeck, University of London.

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Entry requirements

A good degree (a second-class UK Bachelor’s degree or above) in psychology, social science, cognitive science, speech/communication science, neuroscience or related disciplines. Applicants with a good undergraduate or postgraduate degree in education but no previous background in psychology or science will be required to complete the Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology (which covers psychology, neuroscience, and research methods) before applying for the MSc/MA Educational Neuroscience. Ideally students should have a background in both cognitive neuroscience and education. Relevant practical and professional experience may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The English language level for this programme is: Special
Requirement of 7.0 in IELTS with 6.5 in each subtest and at least 7.0 in writing.

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.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting October. Please contact Birkbeck for further information.

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 Educational Neuroscience MA/MSc will develop students' understanding of research processes and give them the opportunity to be taught by staff with a wide range of expertise in psychology of education and developmental cognitive neuroscience. Students will also benefit from strong links with psychological expertise in other colleges of the University of London, especially Birkbeck, with whom this is a joint award. The majority of compulsory modules will be taken at Birkbeck.

Who this course is for

This programme is suited to graduates of psychology or a related discipline (education, social science, cognitive science, speech/communication science, neuroscience) who want to progress to research careers or professional training, or to engage in professional development.

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

What this course will give you

The Department of Psychology and Human Development at IOE brings together staff with research and teaching interests that encompass psychological approaches to learning, development, and teaching from early childhood to adulthood.

The Centre for Educational Neuroscience (CEN) was formed in 2008 to promote applications of cognitive neuroscience within educational research, and build partnerships with professionals to translate findings into new practice. The CEN involves 30+ academic staff with expertise in developmental psychology, pedagogy and learning technologies (UCL), cognitive neuroscience and educational psychology (UCL) and developmental neuroscience and computational modelling (Birkbeck).

The CEN established the MA/MSc in Educational Neuroscience, with an intake of psychology graduates and education professionals, which feeds into an ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council)-accredited doctoral training pathway.

Students choosing this programme will benefit from cutting-edge research-led teaching, gaining exposure to the latest advancements in educational neuroscience. The programme’s interdisciplinary nature allows students to draw on expertise from leading researchers across developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and learning technologies. Additionally, the two departments' strong ties to professionals in the field provide opportunities to translate theory into practice through hands-on learning experiences. The established link to an ESRC-accredited doctoral training pathway offers students a clear route to further academic study and research, making this an ideal programme for those wishing to pursue careers in educational psychology, research, or related professions.

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

The foundation of your career

Students gain experience of thinking critically about how to apply scientific theories and findings to educational practice, and how to build an evidence base for education. These are crucial skills that aid career development in both the science and the education sectors.

Employability

Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Some are working as research assistants, while others have jobs as teachers. Graduates can also be found continuing their studies as PhD students.

Networking

Students will have opportunities to attend research centre seminars, journal clubs and research talks.

Teaching and learning

This programme is delivered by face-to-face daytime or evening sessions and attendance may vary depending on your choice of optional modules.

Teaching strategies include various pedagogical techniques and approaches, used to facilitate learning, promote student engagement, and achieve the program's educational objectives. These include, but are not limited to: a) traditional lectures delivered by subject matter experts to present core concepts, theories, and principles; b) pre-recorded lectures to enhance flexibility and accessibility of content; c) workshops where students can apply theoretical knowledge and develop hands-on skills; d) group projects that foster teamwork and communication skills; e) self-directed study to encourage students to take responsibility for their learning through independent research and study.

This programme is assessed by essays or equivalent written work of 2000-2500 words, statistics worksheets, one research presentation and one project dissertation of approximately 10,000 words. Option modules vary in their methods of assessment.

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

Each 15-credit module at Birkbeck requires a notional 150 hours of study, and each 30-credit module at UCL requires a notional 300 hours of study. This translates to about 10 hours per week for 15-credit modules and 20 hours per week for 30-credit modules.

In the summer period, when there are no taught sessions, students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

Modules

The programme comprises seven taught modules and a dissertation. You will be expected to attend both UCL and Birkbeck for lectures and will be granted access to both institutions’ facilities.

The taught modules on the programme are lecture-based theory modules and practical laboratory modules, designed to provide you with a firm foundation in the different topics relevant to educational neuroscience. You will take compulsory modules at Birkbeck in Genetics of Development, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Advanced Quantitative Methods and Neuroimaging Methods (see the Birkbeck website for more information), plus Issues in Educational Neuroscience at UCL. You will also take two optional modules from a selection offered by UCL (see below).

You will also be required to complete a research component. The dissertation is a research project carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff, from either Birkbeck or UCL, who has research interests in the area of the project. For students taking the MSc, you will be required to collate and analyse statistical data for your dissertation project. For students taking the MA, you will be required to conduct a literature review for your dissertation.

If studied on a full-time basis, the programme will take place over a full calendar year. Alternatively, it can be studied part-time over two years.

The programme comprises seven taught modules and a dissertation. You will be expected to attend both UCL and Birkbeck for lectures and will be granted access to both institutions’ facilities.

The taught modules on the programme are lecture-based theory modules and practical laboratory modules, designed to provide you with a firm foundation in the different topics relevant to educational neuroscience. You will also be required to complete a research component. 

In the first year of the programme, students take the compulsory modules Genetics of Development, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at Birkbeck, plus Issues in Educational Neuroscience at UCL. Students also take one optional module from a selection offered by UCL (see below).

In the second year, students take the compulsory modules Advanced Quantitative Methods and Neuroimaging Methods at Birkbeck, plus one optional module from a selection offered by UCL and a dissertation. The dissertation is a research project carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff, from either Birkbeck or UCL, who has research interests in the area of the project. For students taking the MSc, you will be required to collate and analyse statistical data for your dissertation project. For students taking the MA, you will be required to conduct a literature review for your dissertation.

For information on modules at Birkbeck, visit the Birkbeck website.

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 210 credits. Upon successful completion of 210 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Educational Neuroscience.

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Graduate Open Events: Psychology and Human Development

Develop your knowledge and career in psychology education with the leading centre devoted to developmental psychology and its application in education and other real-world settings. We welcome you to book your place at our Virtual Open Event. You will meet our Programme Leaders, hear about the programmes you are interested in and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. These sessions are free and open to all.

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) Fees to be confirmed Fees to be confirmed
Tuition fees (2025/26) See Fees Note Fees to be confirmed

Fees for this programme are set by and payable to Birkbeck, University of London.

Programme also 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.

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

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in their dissertation. If students undertake fieldwork, it must be self-funded.

DBS may be required depending on the type of research undertaken for the dissertation module. The DBS application cost will be covered by UCL, but offer holders will also need to have their ID checked and verified at a Post Office, for which they will incur a charge of £18 (note, this was the fee for 2024 but may change). The offer holder is also required to arrange and pay for any overseas police check that may be necessary; costs vary by country. For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the Admissions team.

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

Sources of funding may be available through Birkbeck.

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

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 5 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 5 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation at International Students House (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: Overseas

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.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Educational Neuroscience at graduate level
  • why you want to study Educational Neuroscience at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen 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 programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Psychology and Human Development
Psychology and Human Development

ioe.edneuro@ucl.ac.uk

UCL and Birkbeck, University of London are regulated by the Office for Students.