MSc Cognitive Neuroscience

The MSc Cognitive Neuroscience at University of York explores how brain mechanisms underlie complex mental functions such as memory, perception, language, emotion and attention — combining neuroscience, psychology, and cutting-edge brain imaging. It suits graduates with a background in psychology, biology or related fields who want to build strong research and neuroimaging skills for careers in neuroscience, cognitive research or related fields. 

Curriculum Structure

Students begin with Principles of Cognitive Neuroscience, which introduces core brain-behaviour relationships and neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, MEG, EEG, TMS), teaching how to design imaging experiments. Alongside, Research Design and Statistics and Data Analysis in Neuroimaging build quantitative, programming, and data-analysis skills essential for interpreting neuroimaging data. Later, optional modules (e.g. Memory and the Brain, Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention, Neuroimaging of Vision) allow deeper exploration of specialised topics. The programme ends with an Empirical Project (Dissertation), where students conduct original research using neuroimaging or behavioural neuroscience methods. 

Focus areas: “Cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging methods, brain-behaviour research, memory & attention, empirical neuroscience research”
Learning outcomes: “Understand neurobiological bases of cognition; design and analyse neuroimaging experiments; critically evaluate cognitive-brain theories; conduct independent empirical research.”
Professional alignment (accreditation): Research-led postgraduate degree suitable for further academic study (PhD), neuroscience research roles or clinical/research assistant positions. 
Reputation (employability): The University of York’s Psychology Department is ranked 8th in the UK for research, and 2nd for research-output quality — providing strong academic credibility and good prospects for graduates in research, health, or data-intensive neuroscience roles.