- UCAS course code
- 3L47
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Science (MSci)
MSci Neuroscience
- Typical A-level offer: AAA-AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB-ABC including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB-ABC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36-35 points overall with 6, 6, 6 to 6, 6, 5 at HL, including specific requirements
Overview
Course overview
- Develop your research skills with an integrated master's degree, making you more attractive to future employers in both academia and industry.
- Understand the biology of the brain and nervous system.
- Apply for membership of the Royal Society of Biology at Member (MRSB) level after just two years of practice, rather than the usual three, as this course has Advanced Accreditation from the Society.
A study experience that makes a difference
We place social responsibility at the heart of your learning which means you can take advantage of unique ways to make a difference while studying with us, through your course or through extra-curricular activities.
- Complete our Ethical Grand Challenges to learn how you can create a better world and become more socially responsible.
- Work with an external organisation to tackle real-world sustainability problems through our University Living Lab.
- Discover subjects that broaden your horizon with our interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
Every course at Manchester contributes towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, so no matter what you're studying you'll be playing an active role in the protection of people and planet.
You will explore the following goals in your course:
- Goal 3: Good health and well-being
Open days
Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is like. Find out about our upcoming open days.
We also operate campus tours where a student ambassador will tell you all about life at the University. You may also meet with admissions staff, subject to staff availability. These tours run on most days and are open to anybody thinking of applying for any of our courses in biosciences.
To book, please email the Admissions Office at least two weeks before you wish to have a tour to allow us sufficient time to arrange this ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 529 4539
- ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/biomedicine
- School/Faculty overview
-
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Compare this course
Entry requirements
A-level
Applicants predicted/who have achieved a B in their third A level will receive an offer of AAB, while those predicted/who have achieved an A or A* will be eligible for an offer of AAA.
If you are taking only one of the above Core Science subjects, we can consider you for an AAA offer if you are also sitting an A level in at least one of Geography, Psychology, Environmental Studies or Physical Education in place of the second Core Science. If your predicted grades are one grade below our minimum entry requirements we may still make you an aspirational offer if you meet our contextual criteria .
Subjects with overlapping content are not normally considered as separate A-levels. For example, Further Mathematics is not considered alongside Mathematics and Human Biology is not considered alongside Biology. If you are concerned there is too much overlap in your A level subjects, please contact us for advice before applying.
We believe that practical skills in the sciences are integral to a candidate s understanding and appreciation of these subjects. Therefore we encourage all applicants to undertake any practical skills assessment if it is available in their qualification. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.
Contextual offer
Contextual offer: AAB-ABB (including specific subjects).
Typical WP++ Contextual offer: ABB-ABC (including specific subjects).
Refugee/care-experienced offer
AS-level
Unit grade information
GCSE
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 4 or C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.
Please note that if you hold English as a Second Language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk for clarification.
International Baccalaureate
Other international entry requirements
Scottish requirements
Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations:
- Three Advanced Highers with grades AAA-ABB including two science subjects, normally Biology and Chemistry or
- Two Advanced Highers with grades AA-AB in two science subjects, normally Biology and Chemistry, plus two additional Highers with grades AA-AB.
Students with Highers only with grades AAAAA-AABBB may be considered for the Foundation Year.
English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C/Intermediate 2 grade C/Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk
Welsh Baccalaureate
For further details, please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk .
European Baccalaureate
We normally require: an award at 75%-80% or above overall, with a minimum of 7.5-8 in three written subjects including two science subjects.
In addition, all applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English Language. We accept a score of 7.0 or 70% in English Language in the EB at L1, 8 or 80% if at L2, or or 8.5 or 85% if at L3. Alternatively, you may provide or a separate English Language qualification such as IELTS 6.5 in each component.
AQA Baccalaureate
The University recognises the benefits of the AQA Baccalaureate and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills.
In making offers, the University will focus on the three A-levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.
The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.
Foundation year
The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme:
Applicants completing the INTO Manchester International Foundation Programme in partnership with The University of Manchester are required to achieve a minimum of AAB with grades AA in two sciences (preferably Biology and Chemistry), grade B in a 3rd subject (excluding EAP) and an EAP score of B in every component.
Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation Year are required to achieve a minimum of AAB or 75% overall with grades AA or 75% in two sciences (preferably Biology and Chemistry), grade B or 65% in a 3rd subject (excluding EAP) and an EAP score of B or 65% in every component.
Applicants studying other foundation programmes should contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.
Pearson BTEC qualifications
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma
We consider the National Extended Diploma in Applied Science with grades DDD for entry when it is taken with one science A-level with grade A.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
We consider the National Diploma in Applied Science with grades DD for entry when it is taken with two A-levels including grade A in a science subject and a minimum of grade A in any other subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma
We consider the National Foundation Diploma in any subject with grade D for entry when it is taken with two science A-levels (minimum AA required).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
We consider the National Extended Certificate in any subject with grade D for entry when it is taken with two science A-levels (minimum AA required).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate
We do not consider the National Certificate for entry to this course.
Legacy BTEC qualifications
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy BTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma and BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (with grade D or above) and two science A-levels (minimum AA required).
We do not consider the BTEC Certificate for entry to this course.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk .
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC)
We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D or above for entry when it is taken with two science A-levels (minimum AA required).
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC)
We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D or above for entry when it is taken with two science A-levels (minimum AA required).
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC)
We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D or above for entry when it is taken with two science A-levels (minimum AA required).
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC)
We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D or above for entry when it is taken with two science A-levels (minimum AA required).
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate (CTEC)
We do not accept the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate (CTEC) for entry to this course.
Legacy CTEC qualifications
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma and CTEC Subsidiary Diploma (with grade D or above) and two science A-levels (minimum AA required).
We do not consider the CETC Certificate for entry to this course.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk .
Access to HE Diploma
In general, we require 60 credits overall with 45 graded credits at Level 3, which must include a minimum of 15 credits in Biology and 15 credits in Chemistry. All 45 graded credits must be at Distinction grade.
We may also consider applications from applicants whose course has allowed only 12 credits at Level 3 in Biology, with the remaining three credits at Level 3 with Distinction in Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics.
Cambridge Pre-U
We require D3, D3, D3 to D3, D3, M1 in the Cambridge Pre-U, including two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics (the Core Sciences). You must have a D3 in both of the Core Science subjects. Applicants predicted/who have achieved a M1 in their third subject will receive an offer of D3, D3, M1, while those predicted/who have achieved a D3 or higher will be eligible for an offer of D3, D3, D3.
If you have achieved or are predicted D3 in one of Geography, Psychology, Environmental Studies or Physical Education in place of one of the Core Sciences, you will receive an offer of D3, D3, D3.
The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. However, the qualification will not form part of your offer conditions.
For further details, please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk
T Level
We consider the following T levels for the Foundation Year:
- Level 3 T Level Technical Qualification in Science
- Level 3 T Level Technical Qualification in Healthcare Science
- Level 3 T Level Technical Qualification in Health
- Level 3 T Level Technical Qualification in Laboratory Science
For the Foundation Year, we require Distinction overall in one of these T levels with a minimum of grade A in the core component and Distinction in the occupational specialism.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Core Maths
The University welcomes and recognises the value of Level 3 core mathematics qualifications (e.g. AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies).
Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer made to the student. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider their application, particularly for certain non-science courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element.
We advise students to contact the academic School, who will clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to their chosen course.
Home-schooled applicants
Non-standard educational routes
Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences. Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest. There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.
The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to. Further information for mature students can be found here ( http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/mature-students/ )
English language
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
- GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade 4 or C;
- IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 6.5 in any component);
- an acceptable equivalent qualification.
Please note that if you hold English as a Second Language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Student Visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the B2 level.
Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Additional expenses
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
We would normally only consider applicants who obtained the relevant qualification within the three years prior to entry.
Applicants who have left education for more than three years would normally be recommended to take an Access course or exceptionally considered for the Foundation Year.
Applicants should contact the Admissions Office to discuss their particular circumstances.
You should not usually apply for more than one of the bioscience courses offered by The University of Manchester. Please contact us for advice if you are planning to do so.
How your application is considered
Deferrals
Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
Our MSci Neuroscience course will enable you to achieve an integrated master's degree while you study for a BSc, giving you significant research experience that will be invaluable for a PhD and a career in research.
The course examines how the brain and nervous system work to generate behaviour, perception, movement, memory, sleep and other key functions.
You will study a range of topics, including physiology, pharmacology, motor systems, sensory systems and more, with the opportunity to choose optional units in particular areas of interest.
You will spend your first year studying fundamental principles before going on to specialise in your second and third years.
In Year 4, you will undertake a major research project in one of the University's more than 200 research labs to achieve your undergraduate master's award.
Our course has Advanced Accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology , which recognises academic excellence in the biosciences and highlights degrees that educate the research and development leaders and innovators of the future.
Discover more about biosciences integrated masters.
Special features
A range of study options
It is possible to broaden your degree by taking units from the University College, Business and Management for all Programmes or the University Centre for Academic English in exchange for a few units from your degree.
Foundation Year available
You can prepare for the full degree course if you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry by undertaking our foundation course first.
Flexibility to transfer between courses
You can transfer between most of our bioscience courses at the end of your first year or, in some cases, later.
Teaching and learning
You will benefit from a wide range of teaching and learning methods that suit the content and aims of each course unit.
These range from lectures and tutorials to practicals and research projects.
Find out more about how you will learn and see a typical Year 1 timetable on our teaching and learning page.
Coursework and assessment
Assessment methods vary widely to suit the nature of the course unit and each level of study.
- Lecture units are usually assessed by written exam (multiple choice or essay-based), which are held at the end of an academic semester in either January or May/June.
- Practical units are usually assessed by experimental report and/or short written assignment and/or written exam.
The proportion of independent study assignments increases during each year of study.
Year 1
Lecture units are usually assessed by e-learning activities during the unit and multiple choice exams at the end of the semester. Year 1 contributes 6% to your overall degree mark.
Year 2
Lecture units are usually assessed by a combination of e-learning activities, coursework and essay-based exams.
Year 2 contributes 19% to your overall degree mark.
Year 3
Lecture units are usually assessed by essay-based exam. Students also take two 'honours' papers: degree programme-specific examinations comprising essays and data-handling problems. On the MSci programme, students take several MSci specific courses, including a group-based practical unit, a literature review and a written research proposal. Year 3 contributes 37.5% to your overall degree mark.
Year 4
The final year is based on a 7-month research project (120 credits), carried out in a research laboratory or fieldstation run by University staff. The project is assessed by a written assignment, a scientific talk, a written report, a poster and presentation and your performance during the project. Year 4 contributes 37.5% to your overall degree mark. In order to progress on the MSci degree, you must fulfil certain progression criteria. Students that do not meet these criteria are transferred to the 3-year BSc.
Course unit details
This course is modular. You will study compulsory course units and choose some optional units.
Most units are assigned 10 credits and you will take 120 credits each year.
Course content for year 1
You will gain a broad introduction to biological sciences, covering key concepts such as:
- fundamentals of neuroscience
- biochemistry
- genetics
- anatomy
- physiology
- pharmacology
- molecular biology.
Year 1 also provides an introduction to the essential data handling and laboratory skills required for all biological scientists.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Academic Tutorials Year 1 | BIOL10000 | 10 | Mandatory |
Biochemistry | BIOL10212 | 10 | Mandatory |
Molecular Biology | BIOL10221 | 10 | Mandatory |
From Molecules to Cells | BIOL10232 | 10 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Laboratory Science | BIOL10401 | 10 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Experimental Biology - Human Biology | BIOL10422 | 10 | Mandatory |
Genes, Evolution and Development | BIOL10521 | 10 | Mandatory |
Body Systems | BIOL10811 | 10 | Mandatory |
Drugs: From Molecules to Man | BIOL10822 | 10 | Mandatory |
Excitable Cells: the Foundations of Neuroscience | BIOL10832 | 10 | Mandatory |
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Course content for year 2
You will continue your studies in greater depth and begin to specialise. You will also undertake a Science Communication unit.
In Year 2 you will learn about different aspects of neuroscience including, how the brain controls movement, how we sense the world, how the brain develops and how different drugs can affect the brain.
In the Research Skills unit, you have the opportunity to carry out techniques that are widely used in current neuroscience research.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Academic Tutorials Year 2 | BIOL20000 | 10 | Mandatory |
Neuroscience RSM | BIOL20922 | 10 | Mandatory |
Human Sciences EDM | BIOL21061 | 10 | Mandatory |
Membrane Excitability: Ion Channels & Transporters in Action | BIOL21321 | 10 | Mandatory |
Motor Systems | BIOL21332 | 10 | Mandatory |
Sensory Systems | BIOL21341 | 10 | Mandatory |
Science Communication | BIOL21392 | 10 | Mandatory |
How to Make a Brain | BIOL21451 | 10 | Mandatory |
Cell Membrane Structure & Function | BIOL21141 | 10 | Optional |
Principles of Developmental Biology | BIOL21172 | 10 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
In Year 3 you will delve deeper into how the brain works, for example, you will learn about sleep and biological rhythms, learning and memory, what happens in disease and how we can cure the brain.
You will take two papers and four to six lecture units specific to neuroscience.
You will prepare for the papers through tutorials with current BSc students.
The remaining credits will come from the following MSci units:
- Experimental Skills (20 credits)
- Research Project Proposals (10 credits)
- Bioinformatics Tools and Resources/Computational Approaches to Biology/Reproducible Data Science (10-30 credits)
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Academic Tutorials Year 3 | BIOL30000 | 0 | Mandatory |
MSci Project Literature Review and Research Proposal | BIOL33000 | 10 | Mandatory |
MSci Experimental Skills Module | BIOL33012 | 20 | Mandatory |
Bioethics: Contemporary Issues in Science & Biomedicine (E) | BIOL31522 | 10 | Optional |
Neuroinflammation in Health & Disease (E) | BIOL31612 | 10 | Optional |
Imaging in Biomedical Research (E) | BIOL31631 | 10 | Optional |
Neuropharmacology of Human Health (E) | BIOL31671 | 10 | Optional |
Clocks, Sleep & the Rhythms of Life (E) | BIOL31681 | 10 | Optional |
Learning, Memory & Cognition (E) | BIOL31692 | 10 | Optional |
Hormones & Behaviour | BIOL31721 | 10 | Optional |
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Course content for year 4
You will undertake a 120-credit research project over a period of six to seven months in research laboratories run by University staff to complete the work needed for your MSci award.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
MSci Research Project | BIOL40010 | 120 | Mandatory |
What our students say
Facilities
Learning facilities
Our modern teaching labs are equipped for a range of biological and biomedical techniques. The following are just a few of the techniques you could undertake during your degree:
- electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG)
- electroretinography (ERG) and electromyography (EMG)
- dissection and histology
- immunofluorescence microscopy
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- DNA sequencing
- spectrophotometry
Our computing facilities include access to over 200 PCs in dedicated clusters and e-learning tools including online lecture notes, discussion boards, lecture podcasts and quizzes.
You will also have access to the University's other facilities for undergraduate students.
Research facilities
As a final year student, you have the opportunity to undertake a project in the labs of our world-class bioscience researchers. To support our research, we have extensive research facilities equipped with high-quality technology.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
The significant research skills and experience you will gain in the Year 4 MSci research project will pave the way for a PhD, as well as preparing you for work in both industry and academia.
Find out more about how we help our students prepare for the workplace and the careers our graduates go into within and outside the lab.
Accrediting organisations
This course has Advanced Accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology.
Advanced Accreditation recognises academic excellence in the biosciences, highlighting degrees that contain a significant research element and educate the future leaders of research and development.
The criteria require evidence that graduates meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including gaining substantial research experience.
In recognition of this, a graduate of an advanced accredited course can apply for membership of the Royal Society of Biology at Member (MRSB) level after just two years of practice, rather than the usual three.
These graduates can attain the qualifications of Chartered Biologist or Chartered Scientist one year sooner than graduates from other courses.