This programme provides intensive training and specialist knowledge within human cognitive neuropsychology and neuroscience
The teaching on this programme is closely integrated with the Human Cognitive Neuroscience research unit, a group of internationally recognized cognitive psychologists and neuropsychologists. Staff expertise covers a range of topics including memory, visual perception, decision making, executive functions, social cognition and language, and staff use a variety of research methods to address their research interests in healthy and clinical populations such as fMRI, fNIRS, EEG and TMS.
Why study Human Cognitive Neuropsychology at Edinburgh?
- Psychology is rated 3rd in the UK by Times Higher Education for the quality and breadth of the research using the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
- We're ranked 6th in the UK and 30th in the world for psychology (QS World University Rankings by subject 2025).
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Programme structure
This programme contains two semesters of taught compulsory courses and optional courses followed by a dissertation. The taught courses and their assessments take place between September to December (Semester 1) and January to April (Semester 2). Planning for the dissertation will take place until April and carried out between April and August.
Dissertation
The dissertation is the capstone component of the programme and involves conducting an independent research project in a chosen area, and in close collaboration with a supervisor. Sometimes dissertations are subsequently published as journal articles. There is a wide range of staff available for supervision within the department.
Course options
On this programme you will take the following core courses:
- Psychological Research Skills
- Univariate Statistics and Methodology using R
- Multivariate Statistics and Methodology using R
- Specialist Techniques in Cognitive Neuroscience
- Contemporary Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience
Optional courses available in addition to these are:
- Brain Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience (taught by Human Cognitive Neuroscience research group)
- Clinical Neuropsychology (taught by Human Cognitive Neuroscience research group)
- Neuroscience of Language
- Atypical Development
- Applied Psychological Testing
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Or any other course open to MSc students
When to apply
We operate a gathered field approach to applications. You may submit your application at any time.
All complete applications that satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be placed on a shortlist and held until the next batch processing deadline. Applications will then be ranked and offers made to the top candidates.
Find out more about the degree programme and how to apply:
Connect with us
If you have any programme-specific enquiries please get in touch with the programme director:
Dr Edward Silson (Programme director)
Feel free to get in touch with our friendly Postgraduate Team with any questions you might have about academic or English language requirements, course information, enquiries about your application and information on arriving at the University.
Postgraduate Research Administration Team (MScR/PhD enquiries):
Email: pplspgoffice@ed.ac.uk
How to apply and fees & funding information:
Degree Finder for Human Cognitive Neuropsychology
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