Study Neuroscience, why & how to study
A Neuroscience degree takes a scientific approach to the workings of the brain and nervous system. You’ll investigate how they develop, function, and affect both emotion and behaviour.
CONTENTS
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What’s Neuroscience?
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What Neuroscience degrees can you study?
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What do you need to get onto a Neuroscience degree?
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What topics does a Neuroscience degree cover?
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How will you be assessed?
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Why study Neuroscience?
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What do Neuroscience graduates earn?
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What jobs can you get as a Neuroscience graduate?
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What are the postgraduate opportunities?
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Similar subjects to Neuroscience
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Have any questions?
What’s Neuroscience?
Neuroscience will take you deep into the biological and chemical composition of the brain and nervous system. As well as brain functions, you’ll typically explore topics such as brain dysfunctions, like Alzheimer’s, conditions affecting motor control, and addictive behaviour.
Study a Neuroscience degree and you’ll also learn about cell biology, neurogenetics, neurophysiology and pharmacology. Degrees are often combined with Psychology, giving a greater understanding of the interplay between biological and cognitive processes.
What Neuroscience degrees can you study?
Undergraduate degrees in Neuroscience include:
- Neuroscience BSc
- Psychology with Neuroscience BSc
- Cognitive Neuroscience & Psychology BSc
- Biochemistry & Neuroscience BSc
- Data Science & Neuroscience BSc
Some courses will offer an integrated foundation year, an integrated master’s, professional placement, or a year abroad.
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 as follows:
- 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, usually 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
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 Neuroscience 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) providing a first step towards professional chartered psychologist status
What do Neuroscience graduates earn?
The average starting salary for a Neuroscience graduate is around £20,000.
Many roles require postgraduate training. Once established in their career, neuroscientists and research scientists earn an average of £40,000, or more with experience. Average earnings for a clinical psychologist in the NHS are £36,000 per year, with heads of service earning up to £75,000.
Or you may prefer to use your degree to become a science explainer, demystifying the subject for others. A freelance science journalist can earn anything between £18,000–£35,000.
What jobs can you get as a Neuroscience graduate?
Many Neuroscience graduates continue into research roles. Areas of work could include:
- Clinical trials 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:
Have any questions?
Get in touch by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your questions about studying Neuroscience. We’ll be happy to help!
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