Behavioural Neuroscience

The MSc. in Behavioural Neuroscience offers advanced education and training in topics concerning human behaviour and its relation to the brain. The programme provides an excellent preparation for students who wish to pursue doctoral research in psychology, neuroscience or neuropsychology and equips students for work in research, medical and health settings. Students will gain key skills in research methods, experimental design, programming & data analysis. This is achieved through lab rotation and by pairing students with academic supervisors based on their research interests to complete a 30-credit research project.



Behavioural Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field which combines expertise from a range of disciplines, including Psychology, Neuroscience, Engineering and Economics. Teaching on the MSc will be provided by UCD faculty with backgrounds in wide-ranging but complementary fields, cutting across boundaries to provide students with new insights into this exciting topic. The programme also offers students the opportunity to get involved in staff research and to work together to produce a successful research thesis. The School of Psychology has laboratories dedicated to the study of Attention & Memory, Perception, Neuropsychology, Eye Tracking, EEG, and Media & Entertainment Psychology, and the School has research links with Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and St Vincent’s Hospital.

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

PSY40760 Adv Research Methods & Stats Autumn 5

PSY40840 BN Labs 1: Behavioural Measures Autumn 7.5

PSY40900 Recent Papers in Behav Neuro Autumn 5

PSY40850 Behav Neuroscience Labs 2: Physiology Spring 7.5

PSY40770 Knowledge Transfer Summer 5

PSY40780 Behavioural Neuroscience Research Year-long (12 months) 30



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of:

Stage 1 Option Modules

PSY40580 Foundations in Mindfulness Autumn 10

PSY40640 Advanced Disability Studies Autumn 10

PSY40820 Fundamentals of Neuropsych Autumn 10

PSY40830 Advanced Cognitive Psych Autumn 10

PSY40910 Embodied & Social Cognitive Neuroscience Autumn 10

NEUR40110 Sensory Neuroscience Spring 10

NEUR40120 Principles of Neuroscience Spring 10

NEUR40130 Higher Cortical Function Spring 10

PSY40790 Clinical Cases in Neuropsychology Spring 10

PSY40860 Topics in Psychological Sci Spring 10

A primary degree with at least upper second class honours or international equivalent in Psychology or in Neuroscience

or a Higher Diploma in Psychology with at least upper second class honours

We will also consider applicants with at least an upper second class honours degree in a cognate area that provides appropriate background to the programme

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element) or equivalent



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

150

1 year full-time.

MSc Behavioural Neuroscience (W461) Full Time

EU Year 1 - € 9770

nonEU Year 1 - € 21900


***Fees are subject to change


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

Commencing September 2025

The MSc in Behavioural Neuroscience provides an excellent background for students wishing to pursue a PhD in Psychology or Behavioural Neuroscience and a career as an academic or research scientist. With core emphasis on research design, data visualization and analysis the MSc also equips students for work in research, medical and health settings.



As research in behavioural neuroscience increasingly informs public policy in areas pertaining to mental health, education and childcare the skills and education provided on the programme should benefit those interested in careers in these areas.