MSc Molecular Neuroscience

Program Overview

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MSc Molecular Neuroscience

Overview

Knowledge of the brain in health and disease is still in its infancy. Are you passionate about learning more about neuroscience and contributing to our understanding of the functioning of the brain? If yes, then studying the MSc Molecular Neuroscience will be an excellent starting point.

The curriculum of the MSc Molecular Neuroscience programme is designed to support you in developing your knowledge of the intricate functioning of the brain. You will learn the basic principles of molecular neuroscience and acquire insight in a variety of experimental methods used in neuroscience research. Importantly, apart from learning about molecular mechanisms in the healthy brain, you will also explore the molecular mechanisms underlying brain disease, with a focus on neurodegeneration and mental health.

The programme is taught by experts in the fields of molecular neuroscience, neurodegenerative disorders, stress, and mental health. Teaching sessions by clinicians will give you further insight in the clinical and therapeutical aspects of brain disease. The teaching on the MSc Molecular Neuroscience is varied, employing a mixture of lectures, tutorials, workshops, master classes, and self-directed learning. You will develop and practice your communication skills, including scientific writing, and presenting and discussing research data. Practical teaching sessions in our laboratories and the performance of a research project will give you valuable experience in experimental neuroscience.

The MSc Molecular Neuroscience programme will appeal to graduates wishing to increase their knowledge of, and experience in, neuroscience before starting their PhD studies. The programme is also of interest to those who want to establish a career in industry, the health service, science communication or clinical trials coordination. You will be supported in developing your next career steps throughout the programme.

Studying the programme in a part-time/variable mode over two years is possible but will depend on the student's individual availability for study. This option will first need to be discussed with the programme director.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time; Two years part-time
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline:
  • Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025
  • Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

The MSc Molecular Neuroscience is a one-year full-time programme consisting of six taught units and a research project. The taught units are divided over two teaching blocks and are followed by the research project. The taught units cover topics such as cell signalling, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenetics, stem cells, neurodegenerative disease including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, stress, mental health and psychiatric disease, and established and next generation research and therapy methods in neuroscience. During the research project, you will engage in original research and will write a dissertation and present your research findings during a research colloquium.

Entry Requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in biomedical sciences, life sciences, health sciences, biology, chemistry, medicine, psychology or related science discipline such as computer science, physiotherapy and sport science.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.

We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:

• Evidence of relevant work experience of six months or more in the human or veterinary health sector, or in laboratory, as a lecturer, in medical writing, or conducting clinical trials.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification in biomedical sciences, life sciences, health sciences, biology, chemistry, medicine, psychology or related science discipline such as computer science, physiotherapy and sport science.

The additional bench fee for this programme covers the laboratory-based research project, which accounts for 60 of the 180 credit points of the completed degree.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £15,900 per year
• Home: part-time (two years) £7,950 per year
• Overseas: full-time £32,500 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Career Prospects

Graduating from the MSc Molecular Neuroscience can open several different career paths. Many graduates of the programme have secured PhD studentships in the UK or in other parts of the world, including the USA, Australia and Germany. This is often followed by a career in research or academia (for example, as a research associate, teaching fellow, lecturer).

Other graduates have gone on to a career in industry, scientific writing or clinical trial coordination. Some graduates have gone on to study for medical degree programmes after completing the MSc. Staff are available to discuss prospective career pathways with students who undertake our MSc.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This MSc program in Molecular Neuroscience provides training in the neurosciences as they relate to the physiological function and behavior of the organism. It builds on the broad research strengths of recognized scientists, particularly in basic and clinical neuroscience, molecular and cell biology, neuroendocrinology, behavior, neurodegeneration, and stress. Students will benefit from guest lecturers who bring their specialist and advanced knowledge to the program. Throughout the program, students will learn basic principles of neuroscience and research methodology as illustrated in the context of various brain diseases, including psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. A practical and a research project will give students valuable experience in experimental neuroscience, while tutorials and presentations will develop their communication skills. The MSc will appeal to graduates looking to progress to PhD study as well as those with medical training who want to diversify into research. Graduates could also move on to a career in industry, the health service, science communication, or clinical trials coordination.

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Outline:

The MSc Molecular Neuroscience program consists of six taught units (each 20 credit points) and a research project (60 credit points). The taught units cover topics such as:

• Fundamental principles in neuroscience
• Cell signaling
• Gene expression
• Neuroendocrine regulation
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Mental health and psychiatric disease
• Contemporary research methods in neuroscience

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Careers:

The MSc Molecular Neuroscience can open up a number of different career paths. Many graduates of the program have secured PhD studentships in the UK or in other parts of the world, including the US, Australia, and Germany. This often leads to a career in research or academia (for example, as a research assistant or research associate, teaching fellow, lecturer). Other graduates have gone on to a career in industry, scientific writing, or clinical trial coordination. Some graduates have gone into medicine studies after completing the program. Staff are available to discuss prospective career pathways with students who undertake this MSc.

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Other:

• The program is offered on a full-time (one year) or part-time (two years) basis.
• Part-time options need to be discussed with the program director.
• The program has a world-leading research reputation, with the University of Bristol ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of the university's research was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment.

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£13,032 per year UK: part-time (two years) £6,516 per year Overseas: full-time

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£29,032 per year