Clinical Neuroscience Practice

Entry requirements

Months of entry

September

Course content

Discover how theory applies to practice and shape the future of neuroscience healthcare delivery to improve patient care.

From migraine and traumatic brain injury to motor neurone disease and dementia, one in six people in the UK are diagnosed with a neurological condition.

To help meet the growing demand for experts in this area, we’ve designed a course that explores how to provide high-quality care, as well as the psychological impact of neurological conditions on cognition, emotion and behaviour. We focus on using the latest evidence-based practice while listening to patients' lived experiences.

If you complete a clinical placement, you’ll work alongside healthcare leaders. You’ll observe as they deliver the latest treatments like deep brain stimulation which, by altering electrical signals in the brain, produces life-changing outcomes for people with Parkinson’s disease. Neurorehabilitation, neuromodulation and cerebrovascular disease are just a few examples of areas our experts are exploring.

Is this course right for you?

You’re the perfect fit for this course if you’re a psychology graduate who wants to gain clinical experience and explore theory further. It’s also designed for professionals already working in the field of clinical neuroscience including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. This means you’ll learn alongside students from a range of backgrounds which reflects the multidisciplinary nature of modern neurosciences healthcare.

We offer this course as a PgCert or MSc. For the PgCert, students only take the Foundations of Clinical Neuroscience module plus the Clinical Neuropsychology or the Health Services Delivery. This is a great option if you want to upskill but can’t commit to the full course.

Why St George's?

1. Practical experience – learn about delivery of neurological care in the UK context by watching clinicians use the latest evidence-based interventions on clinical placement (this is optional if you already have clinical experience).
2. Research-active academics – learn from our experts at the Centre for Biomedical Education and Neurosciences and Cell Biology Research Institute, as well as senior clinicians from Atkinson Morley Regional Neurosciences Centre.
3. Community of change makers – we value patient voices, the equal contribution of the different health professions and awareness of structural factors.

Course content

Unlike courses with similar titles, this course goes beyond theory. It’s a course about neuroscience in clinical practice. You learn how breakthroughs in the lab can shape the future of care for people with a diverse range of neurological conditions.

Working towards the MSc qualification, you’ll complete:

• our Foundations of Clinical Neuroscience module;
• a practical work placement with the hospital’s renowned clinical neuroscience team, including clinical neuropsychologists and clinical health psychologists (this is optional for students who already have clinical experience);
• one or both specialist modules on Clinical Neuropsychology or Health Services Delivery for the Neurosciences;
• at least one research support module and a dissertation.

You can also pick from optional modules from our other courses on topics like genomics or global health (subject to availability).

Sharpen your research skills

Your dissertation will focus on an area that interests you. Perhaps you’ll look at the quality of life of people living with neuromuscular disorders. Or maybe you’re interested in looking at how we can create interventions for carers.

Outside of lectures and seminars, you can get involved with our journal club, run by a clinical teaching fellow, which explores structural inequalities within this area. You’ll also attend events such as our annual conference on structural inequalities, as well as research networking events where you can present your ideas.

Careers

By the end of the course, you’ll have what it takes to shape the future of neuroscience healthcare delivery, with practical experience on your CV and advanced expertise in the psychology of neurological conditions.

Our graduates understand neurological and related illnesses from theoretical, clinical, and lived experience perspectives. You’ll also be able to deliver research and quality improvement ideas that will make an impact in your workplace.

• Psychology graduates – the course will provide an immersive experience in clinical neuropsychology. Your clinical placement will help you apply your skills to the real world of NHS clinical psychology practice.
• Qualified healthcare professionals – the course will make you more confident in neuroscience theory and the Health Services Delivery module will give you the skills to develop and improve neuroscience clinical services.

Most students will go on to clinical roles, but there are also opportunities in other areas of healthcare. For example, you might start a career in the pharmaceutical industry with an organisation that has an interest in developing new drugs for patients with neurological conditions.

Information for international students

For information on how to apply, advice on visas and immigration and English language requirements please visit our international student support webpages.

Fees and funding

For information about tuition fees, funding and scholarships please visit our fees and funding webpages.