Program Overview

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Neuroscience

MRes

Attendance

Full-time

Campus

Preston Campus

Start

September 2025

Duration

1 year

Delivery

In-person

This Master of Research (MRes) course will prepare you for a thriving career at the forefront of neuroscience, an exciting and fast-paced field of research where new discoveries have the potential to benefit millions of lives.

Why study with us

• You’ll be taught by internationally recognised experts in various fields of neuroscience.
• You’ll have the opportunity to hear from external experts, hear about the latest findings through our faculty research seminar series, and ultimately immerse yourself in our research culture.
• You’ll enjoy state-of-the-art facilities and be supported by research-focused staff.

What you’ll do

• You’ll gain hands-on experience of a range of cutting-edge laboratory skills.
• You’ll learn to effectively plan and manage a successful research project and become fully trained in lab safety and risk assessment.
• You’ll gain key employability skills preparing you for a future career as a scientist.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Research Methods
  • Module code: BL4013
  • This module will enable you to develop an appreciation and understanding of current research methodologies. You will be provided with transferable career skills relevant to clinical sciences including the communication, planning and management of scientific ideas and data presentation.
• Research Proposal
  • Module code: BL4014
  • This module enables you to design an independent research project that will be undertaken within a defined time and budget. You'll be provided with subject titles, but you'll be encouraged to propose your own project following discussion with a supervisor.
• MRes Research Project
  • Module code: BL4016
  • This module will develop your ability to plan hypotheses and use experimental strategies. You will engage in both practical and theoretical research, and unpick experimental methods and data. On its completion, you'll have the tools to present your research data in the style of a scientific journal article.
• Current Trends in Neuroscience
  • Module code: BL4020
  • On this module, you'll develop an understanding of how the brain and peripheral nervous system work, focusing on learning about disorders of the nervous system including neurological and psychiatric conditions. You'll focus on development of new treatments for nervous system disorders or in developing new models in which to study these conditions.

Entry requirements

• Undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above from a UK University (or its Overseas equivalent) with a substantial biomedical component such as Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacology or Biochemistry
• Students where English is not their first language need to demonstrate their ability in the English language through obtaining an IELTS score of 6.0 with no component score lower than 5 OR TOEFL at 600 (paper) and 250 (CBE) and a TWE of 4
• In most cases an interview will take place prior to an offer being made
• Applications from people with relevant work or life experience and/or non-standard qualifications are welcomed and will be considered on a case by case basis

Fees and funding

• UK: £9,450 per year (2025/26)
• International: £17,900 per year (2025/26)

Additional costs

As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer many scholarships, bursaries and funds to support you during your studies. Select your country or region to see if you are eligible and how to apply.

Learning and assessment

During this course you’ll explore current trends in neuroscience and develop an understanding of the very latest research methods. Following this you will undertake a substantial research project.

We use a range of teaching and learning methods to enhance your knowledge and understanding. These include lectures, small group teaching, laboratory work, directed reading, problem solving exercises and case studies. Lectures and small group teaching will be delivered by active researchers, emphasising research-led teaching and current trends in neuroscience. On occasion you’ll hear from invited external experts delivering guest lectures.

You’ll be assessed through a combination of essays, summaries, presentations and a dissertation.

Research topics covered during the course include:

• The causes of dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease
• Diagnosis and treatment of brain tumours
• The neuropharmacology of psychoactive substances
• Behavioural and neurodevelopment disorders, including autism spectrum disorders
• The molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release in learning and memory
• The impact on neuroimmunology on brain disorders
• Stem cell models of neurological conditions

Indicative research projects you can undertake include:

• Modelling drug abuse in invertebrates
• microRNA regulation of the blood-brain barrier
• Epigenetic mechanisms underlying memory impairment in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease
• Molecular mechanisms underlying astrocytic atrophy in Alzheimer’s disease
• A human in vitro model of astrocyte reactivity
• Mechanisms of chemotherapy induced cognitive impairment and potential approaches therapeutic prevention
• Behavioural analysis and therapeutic interventions in preclinical models of neurodevelopmental disorders

Pathway opportunities

This master’s degree is the perfect foundation for a PhD.