MSc in Cognitive & Clinical Neuroscience

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in Psychology or a closely related scientific discipline (neuroscience, speech sciences, medicine, cognitive science) with a research component. 

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Find out more about tuition fees.

Find out more about funding opportunities for home/EU applicants, or funding for international applicants. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

Scholarships

Fee waivers

Find out about funding available for students in the Department of Psychology.

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you'll need to have: 

• Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
• The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
• A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online

          Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

• If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

Please specify your chosen pathway in your personal statement. 

When to apply 

We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September. 

We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place conditional on you achieving a particular qualification. 

If you're applying for external funding from one of the Research Councils, make sure you submit your application by the deadline they've specified. 

Selection process 

Admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally, we'll make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.

Find out more about applying.

Skills

The programme will provide you with knowledge of theory and practical issues relevant to neuroscience and clinical psychology in the UK health services and research centres. You will have the opportunity to develop your own research project under the supervision of a member of staff and relevant external clinical/research sector staff. 

Careers

This programme is intended primarily for graduates in Psychology, or closely related disciplines.

The programme is aimed at students who want to:

• pursue further academic research (MPhil/PhD) in experimental psychology or neuroscience
• teach in higher education
• develop further knowledge for clinical careers involving work with brain-damaged patients or people suffering from developmental cognitive disorders
• develop theoretical and some practical knowledge in the application of cognitive and clinical neuroscience methods and techniques for research purposes

During the course of the MSc, students interested in gaining clinical experience will be encouraged to consider possible placements that may be available with one of the several clinical sites we collaborate with. In some cases, there may also be the possibility of carrying out research for their dissertation in these clinical settings.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths. 

Ciara

"My MSc in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience certainly provided the foundation for working in this field."

"I chose to attend this course at Goldsmiths as there was no course in neuroscience in Ireland with the same focus on the clinical aspects of working in neuroscience/neuropsychology. I was also hopeful to be able to undertake a research project with a clinical population and to chance my arm at getting a coveted volunteering position in Blackheath Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre, which is affiliated with Goldsmiths. I had the opportunity to do all of these while studying in Goldsmiths. 

There was a similar course on offer in a Scottish university but I preferred the atmosphere in New Cross, and the easy access to all that is on offer in London. The atmosphere in Goldsmiths is eclectic, creative, personal and easy-going, and the staff are dedicated and interesting people.

When I graduated, I found a volunteering position in a Neuropsychology Department where the specificity and uniqueness of my MSc was valued. From there, I went on to work as an assistant psychologist in Headway Ireland, a service for people with an acquired brain injury, before starting my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology a year later. I hope to pursue a career as a Clinical Neuropsychologist and my MSc in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience certainly provided the foundation for working in this field."