The course is structured around research expertise in the Department of Psychology, with an emphasis on cognitive and affective neuroscience and state-of-the-art neuroimaging methodologies. Graduates of the course will be equipped to make significant contributions in fields which require a good understanding of the underpinnings of human cognition and motivated behaviour, and of the varied research methods applied in the field. It provides a firm grounding in interdisciplinary cognitive neuroscience, classical psychology and neuropsychology. Students are also introduced to some clinical problems that stem from pathology to the human cognitive system. This course is recognised by the ESRC for postgraduate research training. The programme introduces you to a variety of topics of relevance to human behaviour, such as cognitive function, affective regulation, and complex and perceptual decision-making. Instruction and opportunities for hands-on experience are provided in methods of studying brain functioning in humans, including electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical syndromes associated with aberrant cognitive processes and their underlying neural and genetic mechanisms are also studied.

Our MSc courses are research intensive, providing essential training in analytical ability, methods awareness and critical thinking, among other fundamental transferable skills. Our courses have a long-standing reputation for preparing students to undertake PhD research and further postgraduate clinical training. Our students move on to PhD positions, applied and clinical psychology posts in the NHS and private sector, as well as non-psychology positions in industry.