Program Overview

---

Introduction to the MSc in Clinical Neuroscience

The MSc in Clinical Neuroscience is designed for students from psychology, medicine, or other biomedical and neuroscience disciplines who hope to go on to doctoral training in clinical psychology or neuroscience research. This full-time program is taught by clinicians and researchers and will equip students with a set of core skills in the field of clinical neuroscience.

Course Details

• Title of Award: Master of Science
• Course Code: MSC-CNS
• Average Intake: 18
• Delivery: On Campus
• NFQ: Level 9
• Award Type: Major
• Next Intake: September 2026
• Duration: 1 year, full-time
• ECTS Weighting: 90

Why Choose This Course?

Employability

The course prepares graduates for professional training and careers in clinical psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, academia, and industry, developing skills that are highly valued by employers.

Practical Training

Students gain hands-on skills in research design, data analysis, scientific communication, and collaboration.

Unique Course

The programme combines neuroscience, neurodevelopment, and mental health with an applied focus on both clinical and research careers.

Course Information

What will I study?

The MSc in Clinical Neuroscience is designed for students from psychology, medicine, or other biomedical and neuroscience disciplines who hope to go on to doctoral training in clinical psychology or neuroscience research. This full-time M.Sc. programme comprises a 12-week taught program in semester one and semester two, followed by a research dissertation in semester three, during which you will have the opportunity to work in the group or lab of your supervisor.

Modules include:

• Neuroanatomy
• Neurophysiology
• Medical Genomics
• Fundamental & Applied Concepts in Pharmacology
• Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Neuropsychology
• Clinical & Experimental Cognitive Neuroscience
• Human Neuroimaging
• Neuropsychiatry & Mental Health
• Advanced Research Methods

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year. Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

• Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course.
• Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments.
• Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together.
• Optional: A module you may choose to study.
• Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course.
• Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
• Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

• Optional: SI209: Neurophysiology - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional: ST311: Applied Statistics I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional: PS340: Neuropsychology - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional: AN326: Neuroanatomy - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional: MA5106: Medical Genomics 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional: PM209: Applied Concepts in Pharmacology - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional: PM208: Fundamental Concepts in Pharmacology - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional: BI5107: Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional: PS6183: Advanced Research Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Required: PS6130: Clinical and Experimental Cognitive Neuroscience - 5 Credits - Semester 1
• Required: PS6132: Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional: PS6157: Research Methods in Neuroscience - 10 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional: PS3122: Cognitive Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 2
• Required: AN5105: Human Neuroimaging - 10 Credits - Semester 2
• Required: PS6133: Neuropsychiatry and Mental Health - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Unique Features

The course is delivered by internationally recognised researchers and clinicians from the University of Galway's Neuroimaging and Cognitive Genomics Center (NICOG) and the University of Galway Neuroscience Center (GNC), giving students access to rich and diverse expertise in neuroanatomy, cognitive neuroscience, psychiatry, neurology, pharmacology & human genetics.

Careers

As noted above, graduates from the course have gone on to either clinical training, to undertake a PhD, or to work in industry. This programme provides graduates with a highly marketable and transferrable combination of neuroscience skills, as well as experience of applying these skills in neuroscience research.

Who Teaches this Course?

The course is taught by:

• Dr. Ciara Egan
• Prof. Colm McDonald
• Prof. Dara Cannon
• Dr. Declan McKernan
• Prof. Derek Morris
• Prof Gary Donohoe
• Prof Michelle Roche
• Dr. Pilib OBroin

Learning and Assessment

Throughout the programme, your progress is assessed through various coursework and exams, including reports, essays, presentations, and computer assignments.

Entry Requirements and Fees

Entry Requirements

• Minimum Entry Requirements: Candidates must hold at least a Second Class Honours Level 8 primary degree in a related subject area or hold a primary degree in a related area without honours and have three years relevant practical experience in the subject area.
• English Language Entry Requirements: For applicants whose first language is not English, the minimum English language requirement for entry to this course is an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in any component.

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

• EU Tuition: 8,900
• Non-EU Tuition: 20,400
• Student Levy: 140
• Total EU Fee: 9,040
• Total Non-EU Fee: 20,540

Scholarships

• Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships: This scholarship is valued at 1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses.
• Global Scholarships: University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU.