Cognitive neuroscience is concerned with the scientific study of biological substrates underlying cognition, with a specific focus on the neural substrates of mental processes, and addresses questions of how psychological functions are produced by the brain. It is a branch of both psychology and neuroscience, overlapping with disciplines like physiological psychology, cognitive psychology and neuropsychology. Cognitive neuroscience relies upon theories in cognitive science coupled with evidence from neuropsychology and computational modelling. Our MSc Cognitive Neuroscience gives you a thorough grounding in the scientific investigation of the neural mechanisms underlying human behaviour, with a particular reference to cognitive processes. You are taught the theoretical and biological foundations of cognitive science, and undertake advanced statistical training. A central feature is our extensive instruction covering the physiological bases and practical applications of cognitive neuroscience techniques. This core knowledge is integrated with understanding in related areas: experimental psychology, cognitive neuropsychology and computational modelling.

With the skills and knowledge you acquire from studying within our Department of Psychology, you will find yourself in demand from a wide range of employers. Our graduates have been employed in clinical psychology, educational psychology, criminal and forensic psychology. We also have excellent links with the research community and our PhD students have taken up post-doctorial positions in other top UK universities and internationally (including in the US, Italy and Australia), as well as being appointed to lectureships.