Neuroscience (MSc)

You'll need a 2:1 degree in biological sciences or a closely related discipline.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

On this master’s in neuroscience there are 5 modules you must take. These lay a foundation in neuroscience. You'll also choose a further 3 modules from a pool of neuroscience options including:

• systems neuroscience
• neuropharmacology of central nervous system disorders
• neurodegenerative disease
• cellular signaling in health and disease
• molecular pharmacology

In the final semester you’ll conduct supervised, original research. The result of this is a written dissertation and poster presentation of the academic year.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

Your teaching is led by our in-house neuroscientists as well as invited guest speakers who are experts in the field. This includes traditional lecture-style groups as well as smaller interactive workshops.

Apart from lectures and tutorials you learning will include:

• practical classes
• coursework
• projects

For your research-based project you’ll complete the ‘Advanced Neuroscience” module where you’ll learn what underpins current neuroscience research work.

Throughout the course you'll carry out independent reading. This supplements and consolidates what you learn in the taught part of the degree, and to broaden your neuroscience understanding.

Assessment

You'll be assessed continuously throughout the course. Written exams at the end of each semester, in January and June, test your knowledge of the lecture and tutorial material.

Continuous assessment is based on performance in tutorials, practicals and projects including dissertations and presentations.

Dissertation

In the final part of your degree, you’ll carry out supervised, original research. These projects vary from year to year. Recent titles have included:

• functional analysis of synaptic and extrasynaptic glutamate receptors
• identification of neural mechanisms responsible for daily rhythms in physiology and behaviour
• neural basis of behavioural plasticity in C. elegans
• exploration of the neuroinflammatory profile in human post-mortem tissue

This results in a manuscript-style written dissertation and oral/poster presentation at the annual Southampton Neuroscience Group (SONG) conference at the end of the academic year.

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.

This MSc Neuroscience gives you everything you need to begin a career in neuroscience or the neuro-pharmaceutical industry.

You'll also be well prepared for further study, such as postgraduate research.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £13,630.
• EU and international students pay £29,514.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Biological Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of up to £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Biological Sciences.

Find out more about the Southampton Biological Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

Application deadlines

This course is now closed to new applications for 2023 entry.  

Each year we get many high-quality applications and places for many of our courses are very competitive.  

Search similar degrees for 2024 entry by browsing our course finder.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We'll assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

We will aim to send you a decision 6-8 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000