MPsych (Hons) Psychology with Human Neuroscience

4 Years On Campus Accelerated-bachelors Program

University of Plymouth

Program Overview

The MPsych Psychology with Human Neuroscience at the University of Plymouth is an integrated master’s degree that brings together psychology and neuroscience to help you understand how the brain influences human behaviour. It is a strong choice for students who are curious about mental processes, brain function, and real-world applications in areas like mental health, cognition, and research.

The course is structured to gradually take you from core psychological principles into advanced neuroscience and independent research, preparing you for both professional and academic progression.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you build a strong foundation in psychology by exploring how people think, feel, and behave in different contexts. You study core modules such as Cognitive Psychology, Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Environmental Psychology, and Social Psychology, which introduce key ideas about memory, development, mental health, and behaviour in social settings.

Year 2

The second year focuses more on developing your scientific and research skills alongside deeper psychological understanding. You study Designing and Conducting Research, Qualitative and Mixed Methods for Research, Cognition and Biological Psychology, and Health and Wellbeing, learning how to design experiments, collect data, and apply psychological theory to real-world issues.

Year 3

In the third year, you begin to specialise and explore more advanced psychological topics while building independence as a researcher. You choose from advanced modules under Current Topics in Psychology, covering areas such as brain and behaviour, psychopharmacology, and neurodevelopmental conditions, and complete a supervised research project based on your own chosen topic.

Year 4 (Integrated Master’s Year)

The final year focuses on advanced neuroscience and master’s-level research training. You deepen your understanding of brain systems and cognition while working on an extended independent research project, giving you strong experience in neuroscience methods and scientific investigation.

Focus Areas (in a string)

Cognitive neuroscience, brain and behaviour, neuroimaging, biological psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive processes, developmental psychology, research methods, mental health, social psychology

Learning Outcomes (in a string)

Understand how the brain influences behaviour, apply advanced psychological and neuroscience research methods, design and conduct independent scientific studies, analyse complex behavioural and neuroimaging data, evaluate psychological theories critically, communicate scientific findings clearly and effectively

Professional Alignment (accreditation)

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which supports progression toward professional psychology training and postgraduate study routes in the UK.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Plymouth has a strong reputation for psychology and neuroscience teaching, with a focus on research-led learning, laboratory experience, and employability skills. The course supports progression into postgraduate study, clinical training, and research careers in psychology and neuroscience.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Plymouth, the MPsych Psychology with Human Neuroscience programme is designed to make learning practical and hands-on from the very beginning. Instead of only studying theory, you actively apply psychological and neuroscience concepts through real experiments, lab work, and research-based tasks. You’ll learn in specialist teaching spaces that reflect real research environments, including psychology labs and neuroscience facilities where brain and behaviour can be studied in a controlled, scientific way.

The programme also places strong emphasis on research experience and real-world exposure, supported by opportunities such as optional placements, involvement in staff research projects, and training with professional tools used in psychology and neuroscience. This approach helps you gradually build confidence in both scientific methods and applied psychological work.

Experiential learning: where academic knowledge is developed through practical research, lab work, and real-world application:

Psychology experiential learning labs where you design and run your own behavioural experiments
Neuroscience and brain research facilities used for studying cognition, behaviour, and neural processes
Dedicated psychology research laboratories supporting experiments in cognitive, clinical, and social psychology
Access to specialist software and tools for statistical analysis, data collection, and psychological research
Optional placement opportunities in relevant psychology or neuroscience settings to gain professional experience
Involvement in staff-led research projects, allowing you to contribute to ongoing scientific studies
Field-based and applied learning activities linked to environmental and social psychology topics
University library and extensive digital research resources supporting advanced academic and neuroscience study
Independent access to laboratories and research spaces for additional practice and project development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MPsych Psychology with Human Neuroscience programme at the University of Plymouth are well prepared for careers that combine psychology, neuroscience, and health sciences. Many move into roles such as clinical or research support, neuroscience research assistant positions, mental health services, or behavioural and data analysis roles. Others continue into further study to qualify as professional psychologists or specialised researchers.

The course is designed to build strong scientific, analytical, and practical skills, so students leave with both academic knowledge and real experience that employers value.

Progression & Future Opportunities: supported by career services, research experience, and professional accreditation

The University of Plymouth Careers Service offers tailored support including CV writing, interview preparation, and one-to-one career guidance focused on psychology and neuroscience pathways
Strong employability development through research projects, lab work, and optional placement opportunities built into the degree
Access to university research environments such as the Brain Research and Imaging Centre and psychology laboratories, helping students gain real experience in neuroscience and behavioural research
British Psychological Society accreditation strengthens long-term career progression and is an important step toward becoming a professional psychologist in the UK
Graduates commonly progress into roles in healthcare, research institutions, mental health services, and academic or laboratory-based environments
Many students continue into postgraduate study or professional training routes to specialise further in psychology or neuroscience fields

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this programme, students can progress to postgraduate study such as Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, or Health Psychology. Some also pursue research-focused MSc or PhD programmes, or professional training routes that lead to accredited psychologist roles.