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Neurosurgery MRes

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2026/27 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Neurosurgery 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 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 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

This Master’s of Neurosurgery by Research (MRes) is a one-year postgraduate research degree with a one-third taught component and two-thirds research component.

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.

Who this course is for

The MRes in Neurosurgery programme is aimed at newly qualified 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

We anticipate that this programme will offer 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.

The blend of lectures from world-leading experts, cutting-edge simulations for complex procedures and the networking opportunities really drew me to UCL. The fact that the world’s first neurosurgeon worked here makes me incredibly grateful to be studying at such an impressive historical institution.

Abdur Raafay Iqbal

Neurosurgery MRes

Read more

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%).

Students will spend around 35 hours per week studying the two full-time modules on this programme over a two week period in term one. Outside of this time typical contact hours are around six 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 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

Neurosurgery research project

Research Methods and Introduction to Statistics

Clinical NeuroSurgery (CNS) topics

Practical NeuroSurgery (PNS) skills

Optional modules

Higher Functions of the Brain

Paroxysmal disorders, Tumours and Special Senses of the Central Nervous System

Motoneurons, Neuromuscular Junctions and Associated Disease

Advanced Genetic Technologies and their Clinical Applications

Peripheral Nerves and Associated Diseases

Stroke: Risk factors, Pathophysiology and Imaging

Clinical Manifestations of Stroke

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

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

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 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.