Clinical Neuroscience MSc

Join us for our Health & Life Sciences open evening on Wednesday 20 November. Find out more and register.

The aim of our Clinical Neuroscience MSc course is to give you a unique understanding of the principles underlying the clinical presentation and investigation of diseases affecting the brain. We place particular emphasis on the translation from basic science to clinical practice. Our course is suitable for students interested in neuroscience and its applications to neurological or psychiatric diseases.

Key benefits

Provides a deep and detailed understanding of brain diseases.
Emphasis on the translation from basic science to clinical practice.
Designed to introduce the basic scientific concepts which underlie clinical symptoms, signs and practice.

Key information

Application status Open

Duration One year FT, September to August.

Study mode Full-time

Credit value UK 180/ECTS 90

Course intake 30 FT expected.

Course leaders Dr Gerald Finnerty

Further details

Course contact for further information

Dept of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience,

Zapryan

clinicalneurosciencemsc@kcl.ac.uk

t: +44 (0)20 7848 5438.

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience

Department Basic & Clinical Neuroscience Department of Neuroscience Neuroscience

Locations

Select location

Explore campuses

Why study at the IoPPN? Here's why!

In the heart of London

Student Forum leaders and current students talk about the IoPPN and why they chose to study here. Also learn about what the IoPPN has to offer prospective students now and in the future.

Watch more videos

Course detail

Description

The MSc Clinical Neuroscience course enables basic scientists and trainees in neurology, psychiatry and related health-care disciplines to study the anatomical, physiological and pathological basis of symptoms and signs of brain disorders. It will show how advances in genetics, molecular neuroscience, electrophysiology and neuroimaging can drive improvements in clinical practice. You will learn to critique papers and appraise research that underpins evidence-based practice. The culmination of the course is a project, either in a wet lab or in a clinical environment, to enable each student to develop her/his research skills.

Course format and assessment

Format

You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

The Anatomical Basis of Neurological Disease

Lectures (26 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (18 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning ( hours) | Self-study time (228 hours)

Neurology in Clinical Practice

Lectures (22 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (18 hours) | Self-study time (228 hours)

The Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience

Lectures (25 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (10 hours) | Self-study time (228 hours)

Research Methods in Clinical Neuroscience

Lectures (12 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (50 hours) | Self-study time (228 hours)

Dissertation

Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning ( varies hours) | Self-study time (varies hours) Total (600 hours)

Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks, whereas self-study time is based on 31 academic weeks.

Course Assessment

The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations and coursework. The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.

Extra information

Regulating body
King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.

Other related courses:

Affective Disorders MSc

Early Intervention in Psychosis MSc

Structure

Year 1

Required Modules

The Anatomical Basis of Neurological Disease (30 credits)
The Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience (30 credits)
Neurology in Clinical Practice (30 credits)
Research Methods in Clinical Neuroscience (30 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules

There are no optional modules for this course

Entry requirements & how to apply

Clinical Neuroscience Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements	2:1	2:1 or higher in medical science or a biological subject with a neurobiological component. Medical students can intercalate the course after completing three years of medical studies. In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International requirements		Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements	Band D	Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £70 applies.

Applications are normally processed within two weeks of receiving references. All applicants are welcome to visit the department by arrangement.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Document checklist
Personal Statement	Yes	A personal statement of up to 4,000 characters (maximum 2 pages) is required. All applicants should supply a personal statement detailing their previous relevant experience, reasons for applying and career aims.
Previous Academic Study	Yes	A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References	Yes	Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Other	Optional	You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application.

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 31 March 2020. After this date, applications will remain open if places are available, but programmes will be closed as soon as they are full. For programmes with spaces remaining, no further applications will be accepted from non-EU (Overseas) nationals after 31July 2020 or from UK/EU nationals after 28 August 2020.

Please note you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline and places are filled before the final deadlines above and we are unable to process more offers.

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

Full time Home/EU fees: £12,750 per year (2020/21)
Full time overseas fees: £29,850 per year (2020/21)
Part time Home/EU fees: N/A
Part time overseas fees: N/A

Students starting their programme in 2020/21 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2021/22.

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000.

If you receive an offer on or before 31 March 2020, payment is due by 30 April 2020.
If you receive an offer between 1 April 2020 and 30 June 2020, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer between 1 July 2020 and 31 July 2020, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer on or after 1 August 2020, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Additional costs/expenses

In addition to your tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for:

books if you choose to buy your own copies
DBS checks
clothing for optional course related events and competitions
library fees and fines
personal photocopies
printing course handouts
society membership fees
stationery
graduation costs
travel costs for travel around London, between campuses and to your optional clinical observership.

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Our graduates pursue clinical and non-clinical academic careers in neurology, psychiatry and allied health care professions. A large proportion of the basic scientists on our course have gone on to study for a PhD.

Career destinations

Our graduates have gone on to work in a variety of organisations including:

St Andrew's Healthcare
University of Sumatera Utara
Covance
Queen's Hosptial
University College Hospital - NHS
North West London - NHS
Royal Free Hospital
The Alzheimer's Society

Testimonials

Alexander Zamaev

I’m a medical student and I pursued the Clinical Neuroscience MSc as an intercalated degree. The course has equipped me with a wide range of skills useful for a clinical and academic career in the neurosciences. The clinical aspect of the course improved my understanding of neurological examination and diagnosis. I especially enjoyed sitting in on the weekly meetings where clinicians discussed cases of particular interest. The molecular neuroscience module drove home some of the concepts essential to the understanding of neuropsychiatric disease. I benefited greatly from the statistics module which made me more confident in critiquing papers and analysing data. There is a wide spectrum of projects to choose from and an opportunity to work with some of the most distinguished academics in the field. During my time on the course I was lucky enough to meet with many researchers, neurologists, psychiatrists and neurosurgeons at different stages of training who were kind enough to offer guidance and career advice.

I recommend this course to anyone who wishes to gain an in-depth understanding of the intersection between basic and clinical neuroscience. I feel that it’s just as important for a clinician to grasp the principles of basic neuroscience as it is for an academic to understand patient experience and clinical nuances of disease

Dominic Burrows

During my MSc I really felt a strong sense of commitment from professors and course supervisors to mentoring students, with a high value placed on our academic development. The opportunity to rub shoulders and intellectually engage with basic scientists, clinicians and PhD students only a few years out from their MSc provides a truly unique perspective and grounding in research. I found my dissertation particularly engaging with a good amount of practical skills gained through the year. During the MSc I was lucky enough to be offered a PhD at King’s which I largely attribute to my experience here.

Rebecca Hodnett

I decided to intercalate in the Msc Clinical Neuroscience following three years of medical school. During my time on the course, I was able to explore in detail the pathology behind many of the clinical cases seen in Neurology; this not only consolidated my knowledge but challenged me to think beyond my textbooks. Prior to the course I had had little experience of research, but during my Msc I was involved in a fantastic neuroimaging project which explored the structural basis of functional networks of the brain. This project has led to subsequent projects and prizes, including of note, a research prize from the Associate of British Neurologists. I know that this degree has been invaluable for me and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering a career in Academic Medicine

Pornjira

"The course provided me with in depth knowledge in clinical neuroscience which was very helpful in developing a better understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders. I had the opportunity to meet many inspiring and excellent doctors and researchers. I had helpful support from my supervisors."

Alavari

"I especially enjoy the room for independent learning at King's, and the focus on extracurricular seminars and talks. King's offers me a chance to embrace a wider view of my field, not only so I can better assess my career options, but also for pure intellectual curiosity."

Meera

"King's offered me the two things I was looking for when considering studying as a postgraduate: a world-renowned reputation and a course I was really interested in. I found the course a challenge but one in which I was supported the entire way through."

Neena

"Perfectly balancing the academic and clinical scales of Neuroscience, the course strived to fairly cater to the various academic backgrounds of its students. The course added invaluable credits to my CV, and even more to my development as an ethical, self-confident, well-read and statistically sound researcher."

Nicole Pacchiarini

One of the best features of the course is that it caters for a really large range of students, from qualified doctors to basic scientists, it can be tailored for your specific interests. This was important to me as I had a specific goal of undertaking a PhD in Systems/Behavioural Neuroscience but I lacked the laboratory experience. From the beginning I undertook relevant and interesting courses and was offered an extended project which allowed me to develop the skills I lacked but more importantly increase my confidence. Following completion of the MSc I was offered a fully funded scholarship to undertake a PhD, something I would never have achieved without this course.

Charlotte Burford

"I loved the emphasis the Clinical Neuroscience MSc placed on relating basic science to clinical practice. I came from a scientific background so found it fascinating to explain patients’ signs and symptoms in terms of the underlying anatomy, physiology and pathology. I was also applying for graduate entry medical courses so I really enjoyed the opportunity to explore conditions from the patient’s perspective, which you don’t often get with basic science courses. The research component of the MSc is also one of the highlights as you get the chance to work with some world-leading experts."

Dr Prajwal Ghimire

I am a junior doctor in neurosurgery working in the NHS currently. I am originally from Nepal where I completed my medical school and gained experience in various faculties including neurosurgery that inspired me to pursue the career in neurosurgery. I took the decision to take MSc Clinical Neuroscience Course when I had decided that I needed to have a background knowledge about neuroscience and have knowledge that links the clinical practice in neuroscience to basic neuroscience behind it. As I had a medical background from my medical school and wanted to go into neurosurgery, this course took the position of a bridge linking the two. The course contents enabled me to learn in great detail regarding anatomical and physiological basis for clinical disease presentation and also opened the window into molecular neuroscience. The research module provided great insight into critically acknowledging published articles in the field, helped me prepare myself to face the world of medical research and to have a bridging knowledge between basic neuroscience and clinical practice involving neurological disorders.