MSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology

University of Essex

Studying both cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology will give a thorough grounding in the scientific investigation of the neural mechanisms underlying human behaviour and the effects of brain injury on cognitive function. You will be taught the theoretical and biological foundations of cognitive science and undertake advanced training in statistics and neuropsychological research methods.

Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of biological substrates underlying cognition, with a focus on the neural substrates of mental processes. It is a branch of both psychology and neuroscience, overlapping with disciplines such as biological psychology, cognitive psychology, and neuropsychology. Cognitive neuropsychology uses data from single cases of individuals with brain injury or neurological illness to refine theoretical models of cognitive processing.

You explore topics including:

• The physiological bases and practical applications of cognitive neuroscience techniques
• How brain activity translates into cognitive processes
• The theoretical and biological foundations of cognitive science
• How brain damages impact on cognitive functions
• Cognitive neuroscience of language
• Cognitive neuropsychology of reading and face processing

Your future

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 MSc graduates have been employed as Research Associates, Research Coordinators, Data Analyst, Lab Managers and Research and Development Companies. The course also may be taken prior to a PhD or Clinical Training.

We also have excellent links with the research community; we are recognised by the ESRC as providing excellent postgraduate training and are an accredited Doctorial Training Centre, offering several studentships.

Our recent PhD students have taken up post-doctoral positions in other top UK universities and international universities (in the US, Italy, and Australia), as well as being appointed to lectureships.