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CONTENTS

1. What’s Neuroscience?

2. What Neuroscience degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a Neuroscience degree?

4. What topics does a Neuroscience degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Neuroscience?

7. What do Neuroscience graduates earn?

8. What jobs can you get as a Neuroscience graduate?

9. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

10. Similar subjects to Neuroscience

11. Have any questions?

What’s Neuroscience?

Neuroscience takes you deep into the biological and chemical composition of the brain and nervous system. As well as brain functions, you explore topics around brain dysfunctions. Examples include Alzheimer’s, conditions affecting motor control, and addictive behaviour.

Study this subject and you learn about areas like cell biology, neurogenetics, neurophysiology and pharmacology. Degrees are also often combined with Psychology, giving you a greater understanding of how biological and cognitive processes intersect.

This subject sits within the broader area of Biomedical Sciences. Take a look at the university league table for Biomedical Sciences.

What Neuroscience degrees can you study?

Undergraduate courses are usually Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees. Many courses have an integrated master’s, where you earn a Master of Science (MSc/MSci) or Master of Neuroscience (MNeurosc).

Examples of degrees include:

Neuroscience

This is a broad degree where you explore the various topics related to Neuroscience, from anatomy to computing. Courses usually involve clinical experiences and practical lab work.

Find Neuroscience courses.

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology focuses on the clinical context. You gain expertise on how to assess and support people with neurological conditions.

Search for Neuropsychology courses.

Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology

This course centres around cognitive processes in both healthy and clinical human groups. You’ll learn and utilise different experimental techniques, such as neural imaging.

Find Cognitive Neuroscience & Psychology courses.

Joint-honours degrees

You can often combine the subject with another area. For instance:

• Biochemistry and Neuroscience
• Data Science and Neuroscience
• Computer Science and Neuroscience

Other options

Some universities will offer courses that have:

• Integrated foundation year
• Integrated master’s degree
• Professional placement
• Study abroad opportunities

What do you need to get onto a Neuroscience degree?

Entry onto an undergraduate Neuroscience degree typically requires 112–168 UCAS points. Some universities may specify qualifications rather than UCAS points, in a range of grades:

• A Levels: A*AA–BBC
• BTECs: DDD–DMM (may be required in combination with A Levels)
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA–AAAB (Advanced Highers: AAA–BBB)
• International Baccalaureate: 38–30
• Universities will usually ask that you’ve studied one or two sciences, likely biology or chemistry

Other good subjects to have studied include:

• Life and health sciences, mathematics or physics
• General subjects are excluded (general studies, citizenship studies)

Experience that would look good on your application:

• Independent reading into the subject
• Making use of online resources, lectures or talks (check out the British Neuroscience Association)
• Work experience in a research lab

Other requirements for this subject include:

• Pass in the practical element of sciences

What topics does a Neuroscience degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Biochemistry and molecular biology
• Brain, body and mind
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Contemporary neuroscience and professional development
• Fundamentals of psychology
• Human physiology
• Molecular biology
• Neuropharmacology
• Sensory systems
• Statistics and data analysis

See what alternatives there are to Medicine and Surgery at uni.

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of coursework or exams and will vary from module to module. They may include:

• Case studies
• Debates
• Dissertation
• Essays
• Exams (written, practical or oral)
• Final year project
• Lab reports
• Literature review
• Portfolios
• Poster presentations

Why study Neuroscience?

Neuroscience is a developing field with the constant potential for future research. Studying for a degree will build your practical scientific skills, along with skills valued in any job.

Career-specific skills:

• Knowledge and use of scientific investigative techniques, including brain imaging
• Neuroscience methodology
• Experimental design
• Data handling and statistical analysis
• Lab skills
• Leading scientific presentations

Transferable skills:

• Collaborative working
• Critical thinking
• Independent and reflective learning
• IT literacy
• Presentation and communication
• Problem-solving
• Project management
• Research
• Writing and referencing

Professional accreditation: 

Degrees may be accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

Degrees with a psychological component may be accredited by the British Psychology Society (BPS). This provides a step towards professional chartered psychologist status.

What do Neuroscience graduates earn?

The average starting salary for a Neuroscience graduate is around £24,000.

Many roles require postgraduate training. Once established in their career, scientists earn around £40,000, or more with experience. A senior lecturer in neuroscience could earn up to £57,000.

You may prefer to become a science explainer and demystify the subject for others. A freelance science journalist can earn anything between £18,000–£35,000.

See what graduates do and earn.

What jobs can you get as a Neuroscience graduate?

Many Neuroscience graduates continue into research roles. Areas of work could include:

• Clinical trial coordinator
• Clinical psychologist
• Computational data scientist
• Healthcare or research scientist
• Journalist or science writer
• Lecturer
• Marketing assistant
• Scientific translator
• Solicitor
• User experience (UX) researcher

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Postgraduate degrees in Neuroscience are likely to require a science-related undergraduate degree. Examples of taught master’s and research degrees include:

• Neuroscience Msc/MPhil or PhD
• Translational Neuroscience MSc
• Experimental Neuroscience MRes
• Clinical Neuroscience MSc
• Informatics: ANC: Machine Learning, Computational Neuroscience, Computational Biology MScR/MPhil or PhD

Similar subjects to Neuroscience

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

• Biological Sciences
• Biomedical Sciences
• Chemistry
• Psychology

Search undergraduate Neuroscience courses now!

Have any questions?

Get in touch! Email ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your questions about studying Neuroscience. We’ll be happy to help!