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Educational Neuroscience

MA, MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, on campus

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

Our MA/MSc Educational Neuroscience enables you to explore knowledge of how the brain works to support teaching practice. It is a joint Birkbeck-UCL Institute of Education course linked to the Centre for Educational Neuroscience which will provide you with experience of in-depth theory and hands-on research in the emerging area of educational neuroscience.

  • Why choose this course?
    • The course is taught by members of the Centre for Educational Neuroscience, one of the leading research centres in educational neuroscience in the world.
    • It offers you a joint award from the UCL Institute of Education and Birkbeck and you will attend classes at both campuses.
    • It gives you the opportunity to interact with world-class researchers in developmental cognitive neuroscience, genetics, neuroimaging, education and cognitive development and learning, and attend research seminars organised by Birkbeck, the UCL Institute of Education and a number of other world-leading local research centres and institutes.

  • What will I learn?

    Educational neuroscience seeks to translate recent insights into the neural mechanisms of learning into classroom practice. It argues that a better understanding of how the brain works can help both teachers and students.

    On this course you will develop subject-specific IT skills and learn how to manage and report on an extended research project. You will also gain:

    • a critical appreciation of existing research and research methods, including neuroimaging methods
    • knowledge of the biological basis of learning and development in children and its implications for the classroom
    • knowledge of the relation between genes, brain and cognitive development.

    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 policymakers 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.

  • How will I learn?

    You can study this course either full- or part-time. Classes take place throughout the daytime and evening. It is taught across the two adjacent sites of Birkbeck and the UCL Institute of Education.

    You will learn through lectures, seminars, discussion groups, laboratory classes and independent study. Depending on your independent research project, you may also gain experience in a range of behavioural testing and neuroimaging methods.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Three evenings a week, with some daytime teaching, October to July.

    Part-time: One to three evenings a week, with occasional daytime teaching, October to July.

  • Course disclaimer

    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 How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • 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.
  • ESRC funding may be available in conjunction with PhD study.

Modules and Teaching

School of Psychological Sciences

One of the oldest academic schools of psychology in the UK, and a world-leading centre of innovative psychological research and training.

Visit the school

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.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

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.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement 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. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the 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 to study on our courses full-time 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 to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    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 (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,375 per year
Full-time home students: £12,750 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £11,115 per year
Full-time international students: £22,230 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this educational neuroscience course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills. Depending on whether you have studied for the MA or MSc, these skills include:

  • data analysis and interpretation skills for complex datasets, including neuroimaging and behavioural data
  • research skills including designing, conducting and evaluating empirical studies
  • critical-thinking skills in synthesising interdisciplinary research and applying it to practical educational contexts
  • communication skills in translating scientific findings into accessible language for educators and policymakers
  • problem-solving skills in developing evidence-based strategies to address educational challenges.

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.

Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed in:

  • teaching and senior educational leadership in schools
  • educational consultancy
  • policy work and the Civil Service
  • science communication
  • research-intensive universities
  • charitable foundations.

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.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

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. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Educational Neuroscience (MA, MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time