MSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology
Overview
What is the MSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology?
The MSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology is a one-year degree studied at our Colchester Campus.
You’ll become a thorough investigator of the neural mechanisms underlying human thoughts and behaviour, ready to improve how we understand and treat brain injury and neurological illness.
Why this course
The MSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology gives you a blended learning experience of both disciplines. You’ll master the theoretical and biological foundations of cognitive science and gain advanced training in statistics and neuropsychological research methods. It also extends your knowledge into specialist topics of psychology or research.
You'll graduate on the path to a career as a cognitive neuroscientist or to a PhD in psychology.
Who should apply
- Future cognitive neuroscientists and neuropsychologists
- Those aiming to further the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases
- Students wanting to work in neuroscience, health or data analysis
- Analytical thinkers with a scientific approach to psychology
What you’ll learn
- Cognitive neuroscience: Master key theory, methods and the neurocognition of human interaction
- Research: Grasp statistics for research, then undertake your own research project
- Specialise: Tailor your degree with your choice of specialist modules
Your learning experience
- Expert teaching: Learn from award-winning teachers and prize-winning researchers who are international experts in their areas
- Specialist facilities: Access the world’s first videogame lab, the leading infant lab in the East of England and our multimillion-pound centre for brain science as well as EEG and TMS equipment
Careers and outcomes
An MSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology degree prepares you for diverse careers in:
- Psychology and counselling: Clinical psychology, high-intensity therapy, mental health and wellbeing practice, occupational therapy
- Health: Health psychology, medical imaging
- Civil services: Forensic psychology, intelligence analysis
- Education: Educational psychology, Special Education Needs (SEN)
- Business and finance: Consumer psychology, market research
- Research: Psychology, cognitive neuroscience, health science
Employers of graduates from this course
Graduates from this course have progressed to roles in national and international organisations, including:
- NHS
- King’s College London
- University of Edinburgh
- Top 125 (Top 25 in the UK) for psychology in THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026
- Top 150 (=9th in the UK) for psychology in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025
- 20th in the UK for research outputs in psychology (REF 2021)
Meet the researchers
"Since graduating from Essex I have been working for a biotechnology company called IXICO as an associate image analyst. I analyse and quality-check brain images of individuals with neurological and neurodegenerative diseases who are undergoing clinical trials, as well as setting up MRI scanners around the world making sure they scan patients in a safe way."
Sammy Shittu, MSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology, 2019
Course content
Course structure
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: CORE
In this module you complete a research dissertation with a maximum of 10,000 words, written up as a report. You have a lot of flexibility as there are a wide variety of topics that you can choose to research. You report on the results of an original psychological research study carried out under the supervision of a staff member. A good research report will look like a psychology study reported in a peer-reviewed journal (such as Cognitive Neuropsychology, or Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology).
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
Gain an in-depth introduction to the major topics in neurocognition of language. By critically analysing a range of research and methodologies used to study brain processes, you will acquire an advanced understanding of the brain bases of language, and of the neurocognitive processes that underlie human communication.
View Neurocognition of Human Interaction on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 03: CORE
This module provides you with a detailed overview of the most common statistical tests used by postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers in psychology.
View Fundamental Statistics for Research on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY
Research in cognitive neuroscience and cognitive neuropsychology employs a diverse range of analytical tools and procedures. This module provides specialist Masters students with the training necessary to critically evaluate the analyses presented in published research. Additionally, you will be trained to apply numerical techniques to neuropsychological and psychophysiological data and to interpret the output of popular analysis software.
View Numerical Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY
This module covers the main research areas and methods used in investigating the workings of the brain. The module will provide you with a solid background in brain structure and function both at the cellular level and the systems level. It will consider neuroscience as it relates to behaviour by asking how mental processes such as perception, attention, movement, emotion, higher cognitive functions and sexual orientation are implemented within the brain and body. This module also seeks to familiarise you with most of the present-day methods used in cognitive neuroscience and to provide practical experience of some of these methodologies: EEG, ERPs, TMS, tDCS, eye-tracking, pupillometry, NIRS and other psychophysiological measures (skin conductance, heart rate, respiration rate, plethysmography etc) and their combination.
View Theory and Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology on our Module Directory
Teaching
- Your modules are taught through lectures, seminars, practical classes, and private study (approximately 12 to 16 hours per week during the autumn and spring term).
- A typical timetable for postgraduate taught students in the Department of Psychology involves a two-hour lecture for each module per week. Some modules involve additional computer labs (normally one hour per week) or seminars (normally two or three per term).
- We host a very active programme of research seminars.
Assessment
- Full-year modules are most often examined using a three-hour examination, and half-year modules by a combination of two-hour examination and coursework (e.g. essays, oral presentations).
Dissertation
- An original psychological study carried out under the supervision of a staff member.
- Maximum of 10,000 words, written up as a research report.
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
A 2:2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science (or a related subject)
- Psychology
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£11,025
International fee
£23,875
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
Applying
You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.
We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.
For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
Got a question about this course? Chat with one of our academics in the Department of Psychology.
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