Educational Neuroscience
MA, MSc
Application options include:
Course Overview
Offered jointly by Birkbeck and UCL's Institute of Education, our Master's degree in educational neuroscience will provide you with experience of both in-depth theory and hands-on research in the emerging area of educational neuroscience. It covers:
- the critical appreciation of existing research and research methods, including neuroimaging methods
- the biological basis of learning and development in children and its implications for the classroom
- the relation between genes, brain and cognitive development
- managing and reporting on an extended research project
- subject-specific IT skills.
We offer different module combinations to give you the choice of studying for an MA or MSc.
MA Educational Neuroscience: The MA is ideal for teachers, educational psychologists and policy-makers who wish to develop an in-depth understanding of contemporary education and neuroscience that can inform their continuing practice.
MSc Educational Neuroscience: If you would like to carry out research in the emerging area of educational neuroscience or any area of developmental psychology, education or developmental cognitive neuroscience, either at PhD level or in the private sector, then the MSc will prepare you with a range of appropriate research skills and practical experience.
Discover the career opportunities available by taking Educational Neuroscience (MA, MSc).
Key information and modules
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Educational Neuroscience MA: 1 year full-time, on campus, starting October 2025
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Educational Neuroscience MA: 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025
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Educational Neuroscience MSc: 1 year full-time, on campus, starting October 2025
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Educational Neuroscience MSc: 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025
Find another course:
Highlights
- This course leads to a joint award from the Institute of Education and Birkbeck, and is taught across the two adjacent sites.
- You will have the opportunity to interact with world-class researchers in developmental cognitive neuroscience, genetics, neuroimaging, education and cognitive development and learning, and to attend research seminars organised by Birkbeck, the Institute of Education and a number of other local research centres and institutes.
- In the 2023 National Student Survey, Birkbeck's School of Psychological Sciences ranked 5th in the UK for teaching.
- We are consistently regarded as one of the top institutions teaching psychological sciences in the UK. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, and for the third time, we were ranked in the top ten universities in the UK.
- If you have a strong academic record but require financial support to take this course, you may be eligible for the Kenway Legacy Scholarship which will cover the cost of your tuition fees.
- ESRC funding may be available in conjunction with PhD study.
Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.
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Entry Requirements
A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in psychology, social science, cognitive science, speech/communication science, neuroscience or related disciplines.
Applicants with a good undergraduate or postgraduate degree in education but no previous background in psychology or science will be required to complete the Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology (which covers psychology, neuroscience and research methods) before applying for the MA/MSc Educational Neuroscience.
Ideally students should have a background in both cognitive neuroscience and education.
Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.
On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.
Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.
If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
Visa and funding requirements
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:
- Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
- Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).
For full information, read our visa information for international students page.
Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)
If you have studied at university, you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.
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Fees
Educational Neuroscience MA: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26
Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025
Part-time home students: £6,225 per year
Full-time home students: £12,450 per year
Part-time international students: £10,170 per year
Full-time international students: £20,340 per yearEducational Neuroscience MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26
Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025
Part-time home students: £6,420 per year
Full-time home students: £12,840 per year
Part-time international students: £10,845 per year
Full-time international students: £21,690 per yearStudents are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.
If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.
Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.
International scholarships
We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.
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Teaching
At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.
Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.
In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.
Methods of teaching on this course
A combination of lectures, seminars, laboratory classes, independent study and project supervision.
Teaching hours
Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.
On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).
Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.
Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.
On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.
Timetables
Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).
Indicative class size
Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.
Independent learning
On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.
Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.
Study skills and additional support
Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:
- academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
- written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
- numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).
Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.
Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.
Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.
Assessment
Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.
Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.
Methods of assessment on this course
Essays or equivalent written work of 2000-2500 words; statistics worksheets; one research presentation; one project dissertation of approximately 10,000 words. Option modules vary in their methods of assessment.
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Careers and employability
Graduates can pursue career paths in psychology, education and policy development. Possible professions include:
- child/youth psychologist
- teacher
- special educational needs teacher
- learning mentor
- youth worker.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
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How to apply
You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.
You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification.
When to apply
You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.
You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.
You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.
Help and advice with your application
Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.
Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.
Apply for your course
Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.
Related courses
Course structure
Course structure listing
Course structure and modules for Educational Neuroscience MA: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025
You must complete modules worth a minimum of 210 credits, consisting of:
- four compulsory modules (15 credits each)
- one core module (30 credits)
- two option modules (30 credits each)
- a 10,000-word research dissertation (60 credits).
Compulsory modules
- Advanced Quantitative Methods
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
- Genetics of Development
- Neuroimaging Methods
Core module
MA Educational Neuroscience research dissertation
Option modules at the Institute of Education
- Autism: Research and Practice
- Cognitive Development and Learning
- Individual Differences and Social Psychology in Education
- Language Development
- Maths and Science Learning
- Psychological and Sociological Perspectives on Inclusion and Special Educational Needs
- Psychological Aspects of Counselling
- Qualitative Data Analysis
- Reading and Spelling Difficulties
- Social and Individual Development
- Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development
Course structure and modules for Educational Neuroscience MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025
You must complete modules worth a minimum of 210 credits, consisting of:
- three compulsory modules (15 credits each)
- two core modules (15 and 30 credits)
- two option modules (30 credits each)
- a 10,000-word research dissertation (60 credits).
Compulsory modules
Core modules
MSc Educational Neuroscience research dissertation
Option modules at the Institute of Education
- Autism: Research and Practice
- Cognitive Development and Learning
- Individual Differences and Social Psychology in Education
- Language Development
- Maths and Science Learning
- Psychological and Sociological Perspectives on Inclusion and Special Educational Needs
- Psychological Aspects of Counselling
- Qualitative Data Analysis
- Reading and Spelling Difficulties
- Social and Individual Development
- Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development