BSc (Hons) Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience

The BSc (Hons) Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience at Goldsmiths is a three-year full‑time programme that blends psychological theory with neuroscience methods such as EEG, behavioural testing, visual perception labs, and VR approaches. It’s perfect for students eager to explore how the brain shapes human behaviour—preparing you for careers in clinical research, cognitive science, marketing, education, or postgraduate psychology and neuroscience study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll delve into core psychology modules including The Psychology of the Person, Biological and Comparative Approaches to Psychology, Information Processing and Cognition, as well as Design and Analysis of Psychological Investigations, and Practical Issues in Psychological Research. These courses build foundational knowledge in cognition, neurobiological bases of behaviour, empirical methods, and statistical analysis—supported by access to specialist labs. 

Year 2

Second‑year study deepens your understanding of brain–behaviour relationships. You’ll take themes such as cognition, perception, development, and social psychology, alongside advanced quantitative and qualitative methods, and an emphasis on neuroscience research design. Small‑group learning and group-based experiments complement your growing technical and analytical skills.

Year 3

In your final year, you’ll complete an independent research project under supervision from a cognitive neuroscience expert. You’ll also choose six optional modules—at least four with neuroscience content—such as Structure and Function in the Human Brain, Drugs, Brain and Behaviour, Visual Cognition, and Conscious and Unconscious Mental Processes. These options allow you to specialise while developing research leadership skills.

Focus areas: cognitive neuroscience of perception, memory, attention and decision-making; brain–behaviour mechanisms; quantitative and qualitative research methods; experimental psychology techniques (EEG, behavioural testing, VR); optional modules in psychopharmacology, memory science, autism, wellbeing, and social cognition.

Learning outcomes: develop skill in designing and interpreting neuroscience-informed psychological research; apply statistical, behavioural, and electrophysiological methods; conduct independent experimental investigation; critically evaluate empirical literature; and communicate findings clearly in written and oral formats.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), providing eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership—key for progression to clinical, forensic, occupational, or counselling psychology training. The programme’s strong neuroscience emphasis also positions you well for roles in mental health, neuro-marketing, research, or data-driven industries.

Reputation (employability rankings): Goldsmiths is renowned for creative, socially engaged psychology education in the heart of London. You’ll study in leading-edge labs like the EEG suite, infant neuroimaging lab, perception and attention labs, and virtual reality facilities. The department’s global research links and city location support strong graduate pathways across psychology, research, media, consultancy, and public health sectors.