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MSc Behavioural Neuroscience

MSc (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The MSc. in Behavioural Neuroscience offers advanced education and training in topics concerning human behaviour and its relation to the brain. The programme provides an excellent preparation for students who wish to pursue doctoral research in psychology, neuroscience or neuropsychology and equips students for work in research, medical and health settings. Students will gain key skills in research methods, experimental design, programming & data analysis. This is achieved through lab rotation and by pairing students with academic supervisors based on their research interests to complete a 30-credit research project.

Behavioural Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field which combines expertise from a range of disciplines, including Psychology, Neuroscience, Engineering and Economics. Teaching on the MSc will be provided by UCD faculty with backgrounds in wide-ranging but complementary fields, cutting across boundaries to provide students with new insights into this exciting topic. The programme also offers students the opportunity to get involved in staff research and to work together to produce a successful research thesis. The School of Psychology has laboratories dedicated to the study of Attention & Memory, Perception, Neuropsychology, Eye Tracking, EEG, and Media & Entertainment Psychology, and the School has research links with Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and St Vincent’s Hospital.

About This Course

Students should achieve the following learning outcomes over the course of the programme:

Knowledge and understanding

  • Understand both theoretical and applied issues in behavioural neuroscience
  • Demonstrate advanced conceptual knowledge of how human behaviour relates to brain function
  • Understand the contribution of the disciplines of experimental psychology, neuropsychology and neuroscience to understanding key aspects of human behaviour and cognition
  • Understand and appraise the methodologies used in behavioural neuroscience

Applying knowledge and understanding

  • Critically appraise evidence from research papers concerning topics in behavioural neuroscience
  • Reflect on how a behavioural neuroscientific approach contributes to understanding applied issues in neuropsychiatry or neuropsychology or neuroeconomics

Making judgements

  • Systematically analyse the research literature in a key area of behavioural neuroscience as part of their research project
  • Decide, under guidance, on appropriate experimental design and statistical analysis as part of their research project

Communications and working skills

  • Articulate theoretical concepts, current debates and research findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences from a behavioural neuroscience perspective
  • Work effectively with peers in learning, research, and presentation

Learning skills

  • Collect or source data using research methodologies taught on the programme
  • Engage in independent research and analysis under supervision
  • Write to a high academic standard

The MSc in Behavioural Neuroscience provides an excellent background for students wishing to pursue a PhD in Psychology or Behavioural Neuroscience and a career as an academic or research scientist. With core emphasis on research design, data visualization and analysis the MSc also equips students for work in research, medical and health settings.

As research in behavioural neuroscience increasingly informs public policy in areas pertaining to mental health, education and childcare the skills and education provided on the programme should benefit those interested in careers in these areas.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY40760 Adv Research Methods & Stats Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY40840 BN Labs 1: Behavioural Measures Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY40900 Recent Papers in Behav Neuro Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY40850 Behav Neuroscience Labs 2: Physiology Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY40770 Knowledge Transfer Summer  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY40780 Behavioural Neuroscience Research Year-long (12 months)  30
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Stage 1 Option Modules
 PSY40580 Foundations in Mindfulness Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Stage 1 Option Modules
 PSY40640 Advanced Disability Studies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Stage 1 Option Modules
 PSY40820 Fundamentals of Neuropsych Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Stage 1 Option Modules
 PSY40830 Advanced Cognitive Psych Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Stage 1 Option Modules
 PSY40910 Embodied & Social Cognitive Neuroscience Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Stage 1 Option Modules
 NEUR40110 Sensory Neuroscience Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Stage 1 Option Modules
 NEUR40120 Principles of Neuroscience Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Stage 1 Option Modules
 NEUR40130 Higher Cortical Function Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Stage 1 Option Modules
 PSY40790 Clinical Cases in Neuropsychology Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Stage 1 Option Modules
 PSY40860 Topics in Psychological Sci Spring  10

Nora King

I found the programme to be very beneficial to the ongoing progression of my career. The modules were aligned with my interests in neuroscience and neuropsychology. In particular, both the Clinical Casesin Neuropsychology module and the Neuropsychological Testing practical lab provided me with transferable skills that I apply in my current role of Assistant Psychologist as part of the Neuropsychology Team in St. Vincent’s University Hospital. I developed a range of additional skills and learned about research methodologies that are unique to the programme, such as eye- tracking, virtual reality, and EEG methods. Aside from the course content, the staff went above and beyond expectations by providing continuous individualised support with work and research opportunities.

MSc Behavioural Neuroscience (W461) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 11790
nonEU    fee per year - € 24870

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

A primary degree with at least upper second class honours or international equivalent in Psychology or in Neuroscience 
or a Higher Diploma in Psychology with at least upper second class honours 
We will also consider applicants with at least an upper second class honours degree in a cognate area that provides appropriate background  to the programme
Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element) or equivalent

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes


Candidates may apply for admission to the MSc. in Behavioural Neuroscience if they have the following:




  • A primary degree that is at least upper second class honours or international equivalent in Psychology or in Neuroscience.

  • Or a Higher Diploma in Psychology with at least upper second class honours

  • We will also consider applicants with at least an upper second class honours degree in a cognate area that provides appropriate background to the programme.

  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element), or equivalent.



The School of Psychology welcomes International applications to the MSc Behavioural Neuroscience programme.  Our basic International requirements for the psychology degree are: 





 





  • An honours degree with Psychology as a major subject with a minimum GPA of 3.4/4.0



  • Completed an independent research project as part of the degree, under the supervision of a member of staff.



  • A reference confirming their suitability for graduate training from a full-time tenured staff member of the University from which they received their bachelor degree.



  • Students whose first language is not English must meet UCD's English language requirements.  Further details are available at http://www.ucd.ie/international/study-at-ucd-global/ucdenglishlanguagerequirements/


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Behavioural Neuroscience:

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W461
MSc Behavioural Neuroscience
Master of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
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