Postgraduate study
Edinburgh: Extraordinary futures await.

Human Cognitive Neuropsychology MSc

Awards: MSc

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

The MSc Human Cognitive Neuropsychology offers you the opportunity to receive intensive training and specialist knowledge within human cognitive neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience and related fields of study.

Key research areas

Building on the research methods training, you will take topical courses in the core research areas of our department including specialist techniques and contemporary topics in cognitive neuroscience.

The teaching is closely integrated with the Human Cognitive Neuroscience research unit, a group of internationally recognised cognitive psychologists and neuropsychologists. Staff use a variety of research methods to address their research interests in healthy and clinical populations and their expertise covers a range of topics including:

  • memory
  • visual perception
  • decision making
  • executive functions
  • social cognition and language

Learn more about staff within the Human Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group:

Psychology is rated 3rd in the UK by Times Higher Education for the quality and breadth of the research using the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

What will I learn?

You will take courses on the theoretical and methodological aspects of cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology and brain imaging, and conduct an original research dissertation in one of these areas.

You will also receive thorough training in advanced academic skills and research methods within psychology, including a comprehensive coverage of statistical modelling and research design using the R statistical language.

Is this MSc for me?

This programme provides an understanding of advanced topics, methodologies and issues in the area of cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology, as well as research design and management, and you can flexibly choose optional courses to customise your learning in areas you are most passionate about.

It provides excellent preparation for further research and knowledge of cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology. So, whether you want to continue in academic research or move into professional training, this programme is for you.

Reputation, relevance and employability

The University of Edinburgh has a long tradition of research expertise in cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology. Our large Psychology department is home to academics leading research in these fields.

You will benefit from the breadth and strength of the interdisciplinary academic community at Edinburgh, having the opportunity to select option courses and attend research seminars across different disciplines.

Our students’ research projects are often published in academic or professional journals.

Our programme has an excellent reputation amongst employers and further research opportunities. Many of our graduates have gone onto PhD training and academic careers and advanced clinical training.

We maintain close contacts with professional organisations such as the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Find out more about our community

The School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences is home to a large, supportive and active student community, hosting events and activities throughout the year which you can join. As a postgraduate student, you will have access to a range of research resources, state-of-the-art facilities, research seminars and reading groups.

This programme contains two semesters of taught core courses and optional courses followed by a dissertation.

The taught courses and their assessments take place between September to December (Semester 1) and January to April (Semester 2). Planning for the dissertation will take place before April. The dissertation will be carried out between April and August.

Core courses

The core courses include topics specific to cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology and courses covering advanced academic skills and research methodology, including research design and statistical modelling. The core courses are:

  • Psychological Research Skills - General advanced research methodology
  • Univariate Statistics and Methodology using R - Introduction to R and statistical models
  • Multivariate Statistics and Methodology using R - Advanced statistical modelling
  • Specialist Techniques in Cognitive Neuroscience - This course focuses on the major methodological aspects of different cognitive neuroscience techniques, such as fMRI, fNIRS, TMS, EEG, lesion symptom mapping and single case studies; lectures and discussions are coupled with practical workshops that provide students with hands-on experience.
  • Contemporary Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience - This course focuses on cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience research at Edinburgh and further afield, with lectures and discussion sessions covering topics such as vision, memory, and language.

Optional courses

The optional course can be selected to tailor the programme to your interests. If you wish, you may choose the optional course from an associated area, such as individual differences, informatics, psycholinguistics, and developmental or social psychology. Examples of optional courses are:

  • Brain Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience (taught by Human Cognitive Neuroscience research group)
  • Clinical Neuropsychology (taught by Human Cognitive Neuroscience research group)
  • Neuroscience of Language
  • Applied Psychometrics
  • Qualitative Methodologies in Psychological Research
  • Or any other course open to MSc students subject to approval from the programme director

Dissertation

The dissertation involves conducting an empirical research project in close collaboration with an expert supervisor, sometimes also working with fellow MSc students.

You will produce a written report, similar to an academic journal article; indeed, some dissertations are published as journal articles.

The empirical work and writing takes place between April and August and it is due in August.

The dissertation can be based on data collected by the student or existing datasets (for example, from large cohort studies, biobanks or other projects).

Past examples of dissertation topics include:

  • Exploring the Visual Information Accessible to Face Selective Areas in human visual cortex
  • Memory recall for people and places engages distinct regions of the human brain
  • Hippocampal encoding during visual perception and memory: an fMRI multivariate investigation

How will I learn?

Most courses are taught by a combination of live and pre-recorded lectures, seminars/tutorials and practical sessions. The number of contact hours and the teaching format will depend to some extent on the option courses chosen.

After classes finish in April, you will spend all your time working independently on coursework, exam revision and your dissertation. When you carry out your supervised dissertation research, you will receive guidance from your supervisor through one-to-one meetings, comments on written work and email communication.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScHuman Cognitive Neuropsychology1 YearFull-timeProgramme structure 2023/24

This programme provides you with a range of knowledge and skills to prepare you for a variety of career paths. On successful completion of this programme, you will have gained:

  • specialist knowledge within the fields of human cognitive neuroscience/neuropsychology, and integrated areas of study, in addition to training in psychological research methods
  • an understanding of cognitive neuroscience research, brain imaging and neurostimulation techniques, cognitive psychology, cognitive/clinical neuropsychology
  • an understanding of the basic and advanced principles of research design and application
  • competency in applying a range of methods and research tools, including statistical models and programming
  • skills in research management, including managing data and conducting and disseminating research in ways consistent with both professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics
  • transferable skills in written and verbal communication, group and teamwork, computing, programming and numeracy, time and project management
  • the ability to work as an independent researcher and as part of a team

The programme is primarily designed for students who aspire to pursue a research-oriented career in cognitive neuroscience or neuropsychology or to apply for higher-level clinical training. However, the course also teaches a broad range of transferable skills applicable to a wide range of modern jobs, such as:

  • research design
  • data management and processing
  • statistical modelling and interpretation
  • synthesis and communication of complex literature.

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

  • tailored advice
  • individual guidance and personal assistance
  • internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
  • access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

Your application and personal statement allow us to make sure that you and your chosen MSc are good matches for each other, and that you will have a productive and successful year at Edinburgh.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. You should avoid applying to more than one degree. Applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme are preferred. If you plan to apply to more than one programme, you should discuss your choices with us before you submit your application.

Personal statements

When applying you should include a personal statement detailing your academic abilities and your reasons for applying for the programme

The personal statement helps us decide whether you are right for the MSc programme you have selected, but just as importantly, it helps us decide whether the MSc programme is right for you.

Your personal statement should include:

  • What makes this particular MSc programme interesting for you?
  • What are the most important things you want to gain from the MSc programme?
  • What are the key (psychology) courses you have taken and that are relevant for this specific programme?
  • What is your experience with collecting empirical data (e.g., preparing and carrying out experiments, surveys or interviews)?
  • What is your experience with statistical analysis and programming or qualitative research methods?
  • What is your experience with writing empirical research reports (including any that have been published)?
  • Any other information which you feel will help us ensure that you are a good match for your intended MSc programme.

A strong personal statement can make a big difference to the admissions process as it may be the only opportunity to explain why you are an ideal candidate for the programme.

References

You will be asked to add contact details for your referees. We will email them with information on how to upload their reference directly to your online application. Alternatively, they can email their comments to:

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK first class honours degree, or its international equivalent, in Psychology.

We may also consider students without a psychology degree if you can demonstrate academic study in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, biological psychology and/or clinical psychology, together with a solid preparation in methodology and statistics.

Entry to this programme is extremely competitive.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScHuman Cognitive Neuropsychology1 YearFull-timeTuition fees
MScHuman Cognitive Neuropsychology2 YearsPart-timeTuition fees

There are a number of highly competitive scholarships and funding options available to MSc students.

Deadlines for funding applications vary for each funding source - please make sure to check the specific deadlines for the funding opportunities you wish to apply for and make sure that you submit your application in good time.

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on your programme, the duration of your studies, and your residency status. (Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.)

(Revised 1 March 2023 to update scholarship information.)

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • Programme Director, Dr Edward Silson
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3459
  • Contact: Ed.Silson@ed.ac.uk
  • PPLS Postgraduate Office
  • Dugald Stewart Building
  • 3 Charles Street
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9AD

Applications are held for processing over three deadlines:

Round Application deadline Places awarded
1 30 November 2023 01 February 2024
2 04 March 2024 30 April 2024
3 01 May 2024 26 June 2024

We operate a gathered field approach to applications for MSc Human Cognitive Neuropsychology. This means that all complete applications that satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline and the admissions panel will meet to consider all applications received together after that date. To be considered as having met the deadline, your application must include transcripts and an academic reference.

Applications will not be accepted after the final deadline.

Applications must be complete with all supporting documentation to be passed on for consideration, this includes references. Please ensure that you inform referees of any deadline you wish to meet.

You must submit one reference with your application.

Please read through the ‘Important application information’ section on this page before applying.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • Programme Director, Dr Edward Silson
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3459
  • Contact: Ed.Silson@ed.ac.uk
  • PPLS Postgraduate Office
  • Dugald Stewart Building
  • 3 Charles Street
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9AD