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Neurosurgery MRes

London, Bloomsbury

You will receive a world-class education, personally delivered by leading specialists in their respective fields. Our hands-on skills training, cutting-edge facilities and unparalleled research opportunities are just some examples of what you can expect with us. We understand the competitive and constantly evolving neurosurgical landscape and adapt to it by creating relevant material with modern resources that will give you a competitive edge in this race. We will endeavour to provide you with expert advice and mentoring on topics such as research, careers, and tips on striving for excellence.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 05 Apr 2024

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A recognised medical qualification such as a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB or equivalent e.g. MBBS, MBBCh etc). Applicants with non-medical clinical backgrounds (e.g. registered nurses and physician associates, physiotherapists, particularly those with a subspecialist interest or pursuing a career in neurosurgery) require a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor of Science degree (BSc or equivalent) from an accredited UK university in an appropriate scientific discipline (e.g. nursing, neuroscience, cognitive science, biological and biomedical science, anatomy, physiology, psychology, etc) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

Preference will be given to applicants who have both core knowledge of direct relevance to the MRes programme and relevant expertise and skills in clinical research.

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


This Master’s of Neurosurgery by Research (MRes) is a one-year postgraduate research degree with a one-third taught component (60 of 180 credits) and two-thirds research component (120 of 180 credits), that aims to provide you with the ground knowledge and skills, that allow you to undertake meaningful novel research and participate in advancing the field. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MRes in Neurosurgery. 

Who this course is for

The MRes in Neurosurgery programme is aimed at junior doctors, intercalating medical students and other healthcare professionals who are interested in pioneering advancements in neurosurgery, through both academic research and clinical practice.

This degree isn't merely a stepping stone; it's a significant stride towards realising your career aspirations in neurosurgery. It aligns seamlessly with your pursuits in scientific inquiry, clinical excellence, and leadership within this high-stakes, ever-evolving specialty.

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

What this course will give you

You will be immersed in a truly stimulating and supportive environment, which houses a diverse arsenal of internationally recognised institutions that are intimately connected with neurosurgery.

We aim to prepare our students for the rigour of a career in neurosurgery (and affiliated specialties) by imparting useful everyday neurosurgical knowledge and enabling you to develop both your clinical and surgical skills. This will help you safely and comfortably navigate this complex, high-risk, specialty. We also hope to equip you with the research skills that allow you to produce and practice evidence-based neurosurgery and become critical appraisers of your own and others’ work.

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

The foundation of your career

This programme offers a potential entry route into British neurosurgical training programmes, allied clinical neurosurgical posts (e.g., specialist or advanced nurse practitioners) and PhD studies in the UK and internationally.

Employability

It is our ambition that our students will become future leaders, academic neurosurgeons or specialist nurses, in clinical and research neurosurgical fields such as hydrocephalus, traumatic brain injury and pituitary surgery

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 will be delivered using both contemporary and traditional educational methods. Teaching events include lectures, tutorials, workshops, simulation training and our novel virtual dissection room. The programme was designed in accordance with the UK neurosurgical Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) and validated neurosurgical training programmes worldwide.

Modules are primarily assessed through oral and practical OSCE-style stations, short reflective reports, and exams. Each student-selected optional module will be assessed as per its parent department (assessments may range from essays to unseen written or practical exams, depending on your choice of module).

The research project (120 credits) will comprise a 5,000 word literature review, a 10-minute presentation, and a 10,000 word dissertation (65%).

There will be typically between 20-30 hours of contact time for each 15 credit module, with 120 hours of self directed study.

Modules

The taught modules are divided into three compulsory modules (45 credits) and one student-selected optional module (15 credits). The taught element is roughly split into one-half “knowledge transfer” (in the form of a series of lectures and interactive group sessions), and one-half “application of knowledge” (in the form of simulation training and workshops) and will be delivered and assessed in the first third of the year (Sept-Dec).

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 MRes in Neurosurgery.

Accessibility

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

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500

Additional costs

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 more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology International Excellence Scholarships - we are delighted to announce four fee reduction scholarships (worth £6,000 each) for overseas fee-paying students.

These are offered in celebration of Queen Square’s rich history of welcoming students from across the world who have contributed much to our community and wider society. In 2021-22 we had students from over 50 countries enrolled.

These scholarships are offered based on academic merit and are available for all our eligible postgraduate programmes (except for the MSc/Dip/Cert in Clinical Neurology).

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

Queen Square IoN International Excellence Scholarship

Deadline: 8 April 2024
Value: £6,000 towards tuition fees (1yr)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology BAME Scholarship

Deadline: 8 April 2024
Value: £4,000 towards fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: UK

UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology Stroke Academic Excellence Scholarship

Deadline: 8 April 2024
Value: £4,000 towards fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: UK, EU, 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 Neurosurgery at graduate level
  • Why you want to study Neurosurgery at UCL
  • What particularly attracts you to this programme
  • How your academic, personal and professional background meets the demands of this rigorous programme
  • Where you would like to go professionally with your degree
  • How 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: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

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

a.o'regan@ucl.ac.uk

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