Neuroscience

Entry requirements

A postgraduate diploma can usually be taken at any time after the completion of your bachelor's degree.

If your first language is not English you need to meet our English language requirements as follows: IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); we also accept a number of other English language tests. Due to COVID-19, we currently accept Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS Indicator Test, and TOEFL iBT Special home Edition.

Don’t meet the English language requirements? The University of Otago Language Centre English for Otago programme offers a pathway for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to meet the English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Months of entry

February, July

Course content

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) is a one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree. The diploma encompasses both papers and a research topic, and can be taken full-time. It provides entry to the Master of Science (MSc) degree by thesis only.

Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary subject which covers the brain or 'neural' component of disciplines such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Neurology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Psychology and Zoology. It is currently one of the fastest growing areas in Biology.

Because the Otago degree programme is truly interdisciplinary, it is constructed from papers offered by a large number of different departments.

Papers

NEUR 480 Research Project

Papers worth 80 points from:

ANAT 454, COSC 420, COSC 421, COSC 422, NEUR 452, NEUR 453, NEUR 455, NEUR 457, NEUR 459, NEUR 461, NEUR 462, NEUR 463, PHAL 423, PHSL 472, PHSL 474*, PSYC 429, PSYC 430, PSYC 431, PSYC 437, PSYC 438, PSYC 439, ZOOL 412

Or

NEUR 490 Dissertation

Papers worth 60 points from:

ANAT 454, COSC 420, COSC 421, COSC 422, NEUR 452, NEUR 453, NEUR 455, NEUR 457, NEUR 459, NEUR 461, NEUR 462, NEUR 463, PHAL 423, PHSL 472, PHSL 474, PSYC 429, PSYC 430, PSYC 431, PSYC 437, PSYC 438, PSYC 439, ZOOL 412

Notes:

(i) Papers with PSYC codes are worth 10 points each, and all other papers are worth 20 points each.

(ii) With approval from the Neuroscience Programme Director, one of the listed papers may be replaced by another 400-level paper.

Structure of the Programme

• Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements for the subject concerned as set out above.
• With the permission of the Heads of the Departments concerned, a candidate may substitute a paper of another subject for one of the required papers.
• Any required research report must be submitted no later than 1 November.

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding