Cognitive Neuroscience MSc by Research 2026

Code

PGY000

Start

September 2026

Fees

拢6,400 (UK) 拢17,000 (INT)

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Location

Hendon campus

Why study Cognitive Neuroscience MSc by Research at 麻豆传媒AV University?

This programme will be tailored to your specific needs and requirements through workshops, tutorials and seminars resulting in a thesis in cognitive neuroscience. You will explore the basic neuroscientific principles, methodological approaches and the theoretical framework of cognitive neuroscience. You will further develop and learn new skills of how to practically conduct cognitive neuroscience research.

Our academics are internationally recognised researchers in the field and have expertise in a variety of behavioural, neuroimaging and transcranial neuro-stimulation techniques. You will be encouraged to develop advanced skills in the use of one or more of these techniques for the purposes of designing and conducting a cognitive neuroscience study.

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 utilise the new specialist spaces, simulation suites, specialist labs, plus much more.

You will have the opportunity to become part of a national and international collaborative research network and pursue a specific research project of your own interest in collaboration with experts in the field.

Course highlights

You will explore recent advances and developments in cognitive neuroscience through research
You will gain experience in brain stimulation and/or neuroimaging techniques and learn how to use them to conduct your own research study
You will have access to specialised and state-of-the-art software and research equipment (TMS,TES, EEG, eye-tracking) to analyse and interpret brain data
You will learn through in-depth tutorials and workshops from researchers active in the field of cognitive neuroscience.

What will you study on Cognitive Neuroscience MSc by Research?

This programme is a unique, research-based course, which doesn’t follow the traditional model of lectures and exams. You have the opportunity to pursue specific study areas such as:

Action observation
Attention
Emotion
Memory
Methodological aspects of cognitive neuroscience
Movement
Multisensory processing
Perception

What will you gain?

In addition to the in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, you will also gain the practical skills to conduct industry level cognitive neuroscience research as well as the statistical and analytical skills to appraise the findings. You will also have expertise and experience in neuroimaging and brain stimulation techniques.

Student stories and experiences

MDX TEF earns 'Very high-quality' student experience

5 reasons to choose 麻豆传媒AV University

Student life

Discover student life at 麻豆传媒AV

Watch a video of our students saying which country they're coming from.

About your course

You will join the research community through an ongoing series of workshops, building to your final thesis.

These workshops will be focused around the discussion of modern approaches to understanding brain processes as they relate to the mind. You will consider important new directions in the field in order to inform experimental research such as data driven vs. hypothesis testing, reverse inference, double dipping, and machine learning.

These workshops will focus on what can and cannot be inferred about brain processes, from non-invasive techniques to measure and manipulate brain function.

These workshops will involve practical sessions in the lab where you will learn the use of EEG and related electrophysiological measures.

In these workshops, you will lean transcranial stimulation techniques including transcranial magnetic and electrical stimulation.

In these workshops, you will focus on signal processing from EEG and the handling and complex analysis of behavioural data. You will be introduced to advanced statistical techniques and be encouraged to use a combination of frequentist and Bayesian analysis approaches.

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

Teaching and learning

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

This programme is a unique, research-based course, which doesn’t follow the traditional model of lectures and exams. You will join the research community through an ongoing series of workshops, building to your final thesis. The MSc by Research will prepare you for novel application areas with individually tailored learning experiences, enabling you to excel in both the academic sector and the job market.

You will be based at our north London campus in Hendon.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on a final dissertation of approximately 30,000 words. The dissertation will include the write up of at least one experimental investigation in the area of cognitive neuroscience. Two independent examiners will be appointed to read and evaluate the dissertation and you will be invited to make an oral defence of your work.

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.

Students sat working in study space at Sheppard Library.

Make the most of our free laptop loans, e-books, printing and photocopying Learn more

Student using computer help from library support

We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place. Our facilities

Careers

How can the Cognitive Neuroscience MSc by Research support your career?

This programme is well suited to those who wish to pursue a career in academia. However, the skills acquired can be applied to a broad range of careers. In particular, those who work in medical, research-based or psychology orientated fields may wish to develop their understanding of how the brain works and how these processes can be measured.

Our employability service Careers and Futures 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.

As an alumni, we offer you lifetime career support so we can help you as you progress.

MDXcelerator student start-up support

We can help you bring your business idea to life with our MDXcelerator programme which includes masterclasses with high-profile entrepreneurs, workshops, mentoring opportunities and competitions to secure seed funding.

Students at 麻豆传媒AV span 122 countries and you will be part of our thriving global network. After you graduate, you'll join our alumni network. You will get access to:

Lifetime careers support from the Careers and Futures employability service;
Raise your personal profile as one of our featured alumni;
Continued limited usage of the Sheppard Library;
Exclusive MDX alumni networks to connect with your peers.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

We normally require an upper second class honours degree 2:1 or above in psychology, neuroscience or related subject
Entry is subject to the proposed project being acceptable

If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your 麻豆传媒AV University programme of study.

We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:

Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
Work placements and networking with top London employers
Award-winning career support to get you where you want to go after university.

Qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the accepted qualifications on your country's support page. If you are unsure of the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest international office.

English language

You will need to meet our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer a Pre-sessional English course.

Visas

To study with us in the UK, you might need a Student visa. Please check to see if this applies to you.

To apply for this course, please log into the and select the MSc by Research (ST) application option.

You will also need to:

Write a research proposal. Please view our FAQ focused on writing your proposal
Gather the following compulsory supporting documents, in electronic format:
- all your academic documentation (including transcripts and certificates)
- your passport
- your sponsorship letter (if you are not paying your own fees)
- your IELTS, TOEFL or other equivalent English Language certificates (if your first language is not English)

Application dates

Candidates already based in the UK who wish to enrol on this MSc by Research may also apply by the last day of July using our .

You can start your MSc by Research at three specific times of the year. These are September 15th, January 15th and May 15th. In order to start at a particular time you must apply by the previous entry point. For example, if you want to start October 15th, please apply by May 15th.

If your application is suitable, you will be invited for interview (in person or by Skype) within two and a half months of your date of application.

Register your interest

Fees

The fees below are for the 2026/27 academic year.

UK students¹

Full-time students: £6,400 per year
Part-time students: £3,200 per year

International Students²

Full-time students: £17,000 per year
Part-time students: £8,700 per year

The following study tools are included in your fees:

Free access to the resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course;
Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours;
Free specialist software for your course;
Free printing for academic paperwork.

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

The Alumni Postgraduate Award: a 20% fee reduction for UK/EU 麻豆传媒AV alumni who studied eligible undergraduate courses;
The Chevening Scholarship: full course fees;
The European Academic Awards: £1,000 to £7,000 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.

Important information

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.