Neuroscience BSc

A Levels

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

International applications

In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

The English language level for this programme is: Advanced

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

• The multidisciplinary structure of this programme allows you to draw on expertise across all life sciences. As you progress, lectures will increasingly be given by specialists who are actively involved in neuroscience-related research.

• This programme puts particular emphasis on preparing you for careers that directly involve research or require a sound understanding of research methods.

• UCL and its associated institutes for neuroscience research have an outstanding global reputation. We have one of the highest concentrations of neuroscience researchers in Europe.

• Co-operation with UCL's Institutes of Neurology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Child Health, and the newly established Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour offers unrivalled opportunities to access research laboratories for your final-year project.

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

The first year consists of introductory compulsory modules that will provide a secure foundation for future work. Taking modules alongside other students in the UCL Faculties of Life Sciences and Brain Sciences will give you insight into related disciplines. Taking further core and optional modules in your second year will prepare you for the third year, in which you will select specialised options to suit your interests. Examples include Neural Basis of Motivation and Learning, Pain, Neurobiology of Brain Injury and Disease and Cellular Basis of Brain Function, but there are many more.

You will have the opportunity to transfer to the MSci programme at the end of year two. This will extend your programme to four years.

In the third year of the programme you will be able to join an existing research team in a UCL department or institute to conduct original research, guided by a supervisor.

Modules

An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.

Your learning

Your teaching and learning will include lectures, tutorials, workshops and practical classes. Some modules in year one are taught in relatively small groups, while others involve large lectures shared with students on other programmes. Practical classes play an important role throughout your studies, and help to prepare you for the individual research project of your final year.

Assessment

You will normally take a written examination at the end of the academic year in which you have taken each module, after obtaining up to 30% of your marks through coursework. Some introductory modules are examined by invigilated online tests throughout the year. Your final-year project will involve a written dissertation and an oral presentation.

Detailed course descriptions are available on the department website: Neuroscience BSc.

This programme will develop your literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills, all of which can help you gain success in fields that do not require your specific subject knowledge. Careers in neuroscience will also be open to you.

Around half of our graduates choose to pursue further studies in neuroscience or a related life science. Some join UCL's own MSc or PhD programmes, while others obtain PhD scholarships at major research centres worldwide. Some have embarked upon the study of medicine at graduate level, often with a view to becoming clinical neurologists or neurosurgeons. Others enter the teaching profession.

This BSc will also equip you to enter biomedical research or related activities in university, hospital, or drug company laboratories at the level of research technician or laboratory assistant. Our alumni can also be found in science policy, public policy, publishing, law, accountancy, banking and other high-profile careers outside the classroom or laboratory.

UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.

Tuition fees

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2020/21 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2020/21 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

UK/EU students

£9,250 (2020/21)

Overseas students

£26,490 (2020/21)

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

Departmental scholarships

Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.