MSc Psychology of the Arts, Neuroaesthetics & Creativity

NA On Campus Masters Program

Goldsmiths University of London

Program Overview

The MSc Psychology of the Arts, Neuroaesthetics & Creativity at Goldsmiths blends cognitive neuroscience with artistic practice to explore how we create, experience, and value beauty. It suits students interested in both the science and the arts—whether they plan to work in creative industries, research, or academia.

Curriculum Structure

During the programme, students take Aesthetic Science, studying the psychological and neural mechanisms of beauty and art appreciation, and Creativity, where they investigate how new ideas emerge, combining insights from cognitive psychology, social psychology, and neuroscience. They also complete Foundations of Neuroscience, building a solid understanding of brain architecture and function relevant to creative cognition.

Along with these, the Research Design & Analysis and Multivariate Statistical Methods modules give students strong methodological skills in experimental design, data analysis, and mixed-methods research. The heart of the course is the Research Project, a 60-credit independent dissertation with an interdisciplinary focus on an aesthetic, artistic or creative science question.

Focus areas (string):
“Neural basis of creativity, aesthetic perception, art appreciation, experimental methods, brain-behaviour relationships, independent interdisciplinary research”

Learning outcomes (in a string):
“Understand psychological and neural foundations of aesthetics and creativity; design and analyse rigorous empirical studies; carry out an interdisciplinary research project; communicate across arts and science domains”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Delivered by world-leading researchers in psychology, neuroscience and the arts; prepares students for PhD, curatorial, creative-industry or research careers.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Goldsmiths is well regarded for its innovative research and the MSc equips graduates for roles in creative industries (e.g. advertising, arts management), academia or doctoral study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical research skills through hands-on experiments in Goldsmiths' specialist laboratories, including their infant and child development labs and neuroimaging facilities. This applied learning is central to the curriculum, with key experiential components including:

Software: Training in R for statistical analysis, alongside experiment-building tools.
Research Project: Conducting a substantial empirical dissertation using departmental lab facilities.
Laboratories: Access to specialist infant and child observation suites, and EEG systems for brain imaging research.
Group Work: Collaborative research projects and peer review exercises to develop scientific teamwork skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Psychology of the Arts, Neuroaesthetics and Creativity at Goldsmiths, University of London are equipped for careers intersecting arts and science, such as art therapy researchers, advertising and brand strategists, arts managers, and cultural curators:

Goldsmiths’ Careers and Employability Service offers CV workshops, interview coaching, and access to interdisciplinary industry networks.
The program uniquely combines neuroscience and psychology with creative practice, a growing niche enhancing employability in creative industries.
Strong collaborations with departments covering media, cultural studies, computing, and management provide broad industry links.
Graduates benefit from a globally renowned arts and sciences institution, supporting long-term career development at the scientific-artistic interface.
Outcomes include advanced research skills, application of neuroscientific methods, and expertise in aesthetics and creativity.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may pursue PhD research in creative science, neuroaesthetics, or psychology of the arts, or advance careers in interdisciplinary art-science fields.

Additional Information & Requirements

You should normally have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in psychology or a related subject (cognitive science, neuroscience) with a research component.

India- For entry to postgraduate programmes you will normally need a Bachelors degree in relevant subject. The University use the NOOSR ranking to make differential offers.

USA- For entry to postgraduate programmes they will normally need a Bachelor’s degree in a subject relevant to your proposed area of postgraduate study with GPA around 2.7.

IELTS - 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0

TOEFL- Overall 92, 22 in Reading and Listening and 24 in Speaking and Writing will meet English language requirements

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