Educational Neuroscience
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.
Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.
Months of entry
October
Course content
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 you will 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 you will learn
You can study this course either full- or part-time. Most classes take place in the evening, although there may be occasional daytime teaching. 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.
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.
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.
Information for international students
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course 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.
If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MA
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- MSc
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Student Advice Service
- studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)20 3907 0700