Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. 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.

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

View All Modules Here

Students can take modules from Schools of Psychology and Neuroscience that span topics such as neuropsychology, cognition, neurodevelopment, sensory neuroscience and neuro disability, allowing students to customise their postgraduate education to complement their undergraduate training.

Modules will include:

• PSY40820 Fundamentals of Neuropsychology
• PSY40790 Clinical Cases in Neuropsychology
• PSY40830 Advanced Cognitive Psychology
• PSY40770 Knowledge Transfer
• PSY40900 Recent Papers in Behavioural Neuroscience
• PSY40760 Advanced Research Methods and Stats
• PSY40840 Behavioural Neuroscience Labs 1
• PSY40850 Behavioural Neuroscience Labs 2
• PSY40780 Behavioural Neuroscience Research Project
• NEUR40110 Sensory Neuroscience
• NEUR40120 Principles of Neuroscience

MSc Behavioural Neuroscience (W461) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 11500
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.

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/

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

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.

The following entry routes are available:

Applicants should contact the programme administrator, Ms Mary Boyle, at mary.boyle@ucd.ie, phone: +353 (0)1 716 8369