Educational Neuroscience (MA/MSc) - 2012/2013 entry

This programme provides 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; running a neuroimaging study; 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; and subject-specific IT skills.

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.

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.

This programme is delivered jointly with the Institute of Education. It leads to a joint award from the Institute of Education's Department of Psychology and Human Development and Birkbeck's Department of Psychological Sciences, and is taught across the two adjacent sites. Find out more about the Institute of Education contributing modules.

• Access to world-class researchers in developmental cognitive neuroscience and educations.
• Combines basic behavioural neuroscience and educational research to provide a better understanding of children’s learning and development.
• Delivered in partnership with the Institute of Education – half the modules will be taught by Birkbeck and half by the Institute of Education.

The course is made up of seven taught modules:

• Issues in Educational Neuroscience
• Cognitive Developmental Neuroscience  
• Methods in Neuroimaging
• Genetics of Development
• Cognitive Development and Learning
• Topics in the Developmental Psychology of Education
• Advanced Quantitative Methods.

MSc students will also complete a research project and MA students will also complete an extended critical literature review.

The Department of Psychological Sciences has an outstanding research tradition, having achieved a top five ranking at the last UK research assessment exercises, with an outstanding international reputation in all aspects of cognitive neuroscience, and especially developmental cognitive neuroscience.

You will have the opportunity to interact with world-class researchers in cognitive neuroscience and cognitive neuropsychology, and attend research seminars organised by the department and a number of other local research centres and institutes.

Graduates go on to careers as psychologists, in education or policy development.

Find out more about careers in psychology

Please complete a supplementary application form in addition to the online application. This must include a statement of your proposed research, focusing on the research expertise of at least one member of our academic staff, so that we can provide adequate supervision.

Applications made between:

• 1 October 2011–15 January 2012 will be considered by admissions tutors on 16 January 2012
• 16 January 2012–29 March 2012 will be considered by admissions tutors on 30 March 2012
• 30 March 2012–29 June 2012 will be considered by admissions tutors on 29 June 2012.

You will be informed soon after these dates about the outcome of your application.

Applications made after 29 June 2012 will be considered subject to availability of places; please check with admissions staff before applying.