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Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience MSc

Apply neuroscientific techniques to enhance your understanding of the human mind with this degree, led by teaching staff at the forefront of cognitive and clinical research
Code
PGC860
Start
September 2024
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Fees
£10,500 (UK) *
£16,800 (EU/INT) *
Course leader
Dr Jon Silas
Dr Alexander Jones

Why choose Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience MSc at Middlesex?

This versatile master's degree focuses on the advanced study of neuroscience and understanding the brain in both health and disease. It combines cognitive and clinical approaches to neuroscience to build your understanding of human cognition and explores the underlying mechanisms associated with disease and disorders of the nervous system.

A uniquely interdisciplinary course taught by internationally recognised academics from both the Psychology and Biomedical Sciences departments. These include Nicky Brunswick, whose book Dyslexia: A Beginner's Guide, has been published internationally, and Alex Jones and Jone Silas, who've recently received grants from international funding bodies. Many of our staff have been published in international journals.

This postgraduate degree is ideal if you're looking to extend your research interests to doctoral level or apply neuroscience in clinical and research settings.

What you will gain

You will learn about current issues in cognitive and clinical neuroscience and develop your ability to use neuroscientific methods in both research and clinical environments.

You will also acquire practical skills in neuroscientific data collection and analysis, experimental design, and clinical and statistical analysis of data. These skills will be invaluable in your future career, whether you choose to pursue research or clinical work.

You'll also have the opportunity to learn how to use electroencephalography (EEG) for research and clinical investigation, as well as access electrical and magnetic forms of non-invasive brain stimulation for research.

3 great reasons to pick this course

  • Industry-leading lecturers
    You will learn from the expertise of active clinicians and researchers in their respective fields
  • Cutting-edge facilities
    Including specialist laboratories, electrical and magnetic forms of non-invasive brain stimulation, and electroencephalography for research and clinical investigation
  • Top 2 university in the UK
    According to Times Higher Education (THE ) – Young Universities 2022

Find out more

Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.

The course is interdisciplinary and will focus on building skills to engage critically with contemporary and established cognitive and clinical neuroscience research. Through practice and industry-standard technology, you will explore the relationship between brain states and cognition.

There is a specific module on research methods and the course also aims to improve your analytical, statistical and IT skills to aid your independent learning.

  • Modules

    • Quantitative Research Methods (15 credits)

      This module aims to provide your with core skills and knowledge in quantitative research methods in Psychology. The focus is on understanding how research questions relate to design and appropriate analyses. Across the suite of MSc programmes in Psychology, it provides you with advanced skills in a variety of statistical analyses and enables you to conduct psychological research at master’s level. The module enables you to understand and critically evaluate published quantitative psychological research. It prepares you for your dissertation and enables you to choose appropriate methodologies and analyses for research.

    • Open Science (15 credits)

      The “reproducibility crisis” in Psychology (and in science more generally) has been vigorously debated in recent years in terms of its existence, nature, causes and possible solutions.  Many changes to research practice have as a result been introduced and proposed, commonly referred to collectively as “Open Science”. In broad terms these changes aim to promote and support greater openness and transparency at all stages of the research process. These changes are also evolving and contested as new concerns are identified.

      This module aims to familiarise you with these debates so that you can navigate your way through these rapidly developing changes. The module will also introduce you to current tools that support Open Science.

    • Fundamentals of Neuropsychology (15 credits)

      This module will introduce the advanced level study of topics in neuropsychology, with a particular focus on cognitive neuropsychology. The foundations of the approach will be outlined, followed by examination of neuropsychological case studies and related research in several areas of cognition, including memory, language processing, and visual and perceptual disorders. You'll also be encouraged to develop a critical awareness of the controversies that exist within this field and how these link to controversies in neuroscience.

    • Neuropathology (15 credits)

      The module reviews your current understanding of the epidemiology, aetiology, pathology, diagnostic investigations and treatment interventions of a range of neurological conditions that are of great public interest today. You'll develop your ability to interpret clinical and neuropathological data for the purpose of either research or clinical diagnosis.

    • Specialised Techniques in Clinical Neurophysiology (15 credits)

      This module will give you a specialised body of current knowledge in the field of clinical neurophysiology. The emphasis will be on acquiring familiarity with the practical skills involved with specialist technologies and investigations. Investigative procedures include evoked potentials, nerve conduction and EMG, with emphasis on interpreting diagnostic information acquired in surgical and ITU environments.

    • Developmental Neuroscience (15 credits)

      This module will give you an understanding of the developing relationship between human brain and behaviour. It will draw on evidence from physiological, cognitive and neuroscientific research to examine the development of key cognitive processes including sensory processing, learning and memory, language, action perception and production, and emotion processing at different stages of life

    • Practical Cognitive Neuroscience (30 credits)

      Cognitive neuroscience is the study of brain states and how such brain states are related to behaviour and cognition. Many of the recent advances in the field are due to the rapid development and use of technology that allows us to infer what the brain is doing during different psychological states. This module aims to provide you with an introduction to the theory that underpins cognitive neuroscience techniques such as EEG, TMS, fMRI, TES and a critical understanding of experimental design. Moreover, and importantly, the module aims to provide an experienced based approach to learning how to use some of these techniques. This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to learn how to use advanced equipment through practice and demonstrations. The overall aim is to teach you how the equipment works, how to analyse the data resulting from use, what questions different methods can answer and what are the limitations of them.

    • Research: Practice and Reporting (60 credits)

      This module aim to provide you with an opportunity for an in-depth, advanced study in a specific area of applied psychology, pertinent to the degree for which you are registered, guided by, but largely independent of, tutor support. You will apply appropriate principles of empirical research, and present your research study in the form of a written journal article, using appropriate styles and conventions.

To find out more about this course, please download the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience MSc specification (PDF).

How we'll teach you

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience. The course is delivered by our academics and industry partners in person and via digital platforms.

Our learning activities include lab practicals, lectures, seminars, webinars, one-to-one and tutorials. Importantly, you'll attend laboratory sessions and take part in class discussions and work on research projects, group assignments and critical analyses.

Where will you study?

Our Hendon campus, north London. Some modules are taught at the West Stand, StoneX Stadium.

Timetable

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Teaching vs independent study

In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.

Typical weekly timetable

On campus - approximately 8 hours a week.

Approximately 30 hours of independent study a week.

Part-time study

You can also study this course part-time over two years.

Academic support

We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.

Coursework and assessments

There are no exams but your coursework including tests, projects, statistical assignments, essays, reports, logbooks and case study analyses will be assessed.

A major part of your assessment will be your 10,000 to 15,000-word dissertation, which will be accompanied by a 1,500-word research proposal and a 10-minute presentation, on which you will receive feedback from fellow students as well as your tutor.

Feedback

You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress. Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.

StoneX Stadium

In our partnership with Saracens Rugby Club, you’ll have access to the fantastic resources at StoneX Stadium, including the brand new £23 million redevelopment project of the West Stand which offers state-of-the-art facilities as a top educational and high-performance centre for teaching and research excellence.

With some of the most advanced equipment in the UK, you will be able to use the new specialist spaces, simulation suites, specialist labs, plus much more.

The Sheppard Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:

  • Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
  • 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
  • Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.

Hatchcroft Laboratories

Our recently updated laboratories specifically for teaching and research in cognitive neuroscience include:

  • Six testing booths where you'll get hands-on experience in measuring EEG and conducting BioFeedback training using equipment such as BioPac and PowerLab
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) systems (128-electrode BioSemi, 64 electrode ActiChamp, R-Nets Brain Products)
  • Wireless systems (BioRadio and Brain Products LiveAmp)
  • Our neuroscience facilities also include both electrical (tDCS/tACS, NeuroConn) and magnetic brain stimulation (TMS, MagStim)
  • Eye-trackers for both adult and infant research (Tobii Technology)
  • Two large Apple Mac labs specifically adapted for psychology teaching

Specialist psychology laboratory cubicles for conducting individual projects

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year unless otherwise stated.

UK students*

Full-time students: £10,500
Part-time students: £70 per credit
Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit

*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part-time study are shown here as a guide.

For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.

The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year unless otherwise stated.

International Students*

Full-time students: £16,800
Part-time students: £112 per credit
Part-time students: £56 per dissertation credit

*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part-time study are shown here as a guide.

For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.

Additional costs

We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.

  • Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
  • Free specialist software for your course
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

The following course-related costs are not included in the fees, and you will need to budget for these:

  • The cost of books that you might wish to purchase.

Financial support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.

Postgraduate scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

  • The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
  • The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
  • The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
  • The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
  • Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Help from your employer

Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.

Work while you study

If you are not currently working, we can help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

  1. UK
  2. International
  3. Additional costs
  4. Scholarships and bursaries

How can the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience MSc support your career?

This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary for careers in UK health services and research centres as research assistant, research officer or NHS healthcare science practitioner.  It's also suited to those who want to pursue a career in data analysis, cognitive science, academic research (MPhil/PhD), teaching in higher education, and clinical neurophysiology.

The course also develops a range of broad skills, including critical thinking and scientific reasoning. With a greater emphasis on data handling and critical engagement with statistics in many jobs, these skills can provide better opportunities for graduates to enter positions where data analytics is valued.

MDXworks

MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognised with the following awards:

  • The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023 
  • A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023.

Global alumni network

You’ll be studying with students from 122 countries who’ll become part of your personal global network. You'll learn how to work with a global mindset and make invaluable connections on your course for your chosen industry.

Dr Jon Silas
Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Dr Silas' current research interests are related to social cognition and cognitive neuroscience. He also has an interest in the role of mirroring systems in the human brain and the role of embodied processes in understanding others. Dr Silas has experience in using a variety of neuro-scientific methods including EEG, TMS, tDCS and fMRI.

Dr Alexander Jones
Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Dr Jones' interests include attention, action, and multisensory integration, and using cognitive neuroscience techniques to investigate how the brain and behaviour relate. Focus has been on exploring how we select and attend to information which is constantly bombarding our senses.

Dr Nicola Brunswick
Associate Professor in Psychology

Dr Brunswick’s research focuses on cognitive, behavioural and neuropsychological aspects of children's reading development, of skilled reading, and developmental dyslexia in children and adults. She's also interested in the link between reading and musical expertise (in musicians and dancers), and between reading ability and visuo-spatial/drawing ability (in art/non-art students). She has conducted research using EEG, ERPs, fMRI and PET and has written five books on reading and dyslexia.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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Code: PGC802

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