Length of course

Three-year, full-time, or four years with work placement UCAS code B140

Location

Central London (Regent)

This exciting and rapidly evolving discipline describes the interdisciplinary approach to understanding the link between mind and brain, examining the nature of thought and its biological basis. It attempts to solve the mysteries of the mind by bringing together evidence from molecular and cellular neuroscience (including psychopharmacology), a wide range of brain imaging techniques, computational modelling, and cognitive neuropsychology (itself a product of experimental psychology and clinical neuropsychology).

You will consider all aspects of cognitive functioning, from learning, memory and language through to concepts such as intelligence, creativity and consciousness.

Course content

You will be provided with the necessary grounding in the biological sciences, neuropsychology, and fundamental psychology. You will study core modules from the neurosciences and psychology, alongside options from chosen applied disciplines at Year 3 (Credit Level 6). The particular skills required for research methods and statistics are covered in depth in Research Methods modules.

Developing your knowledge and learning these skills leads to more specialised study and advanced research, including a double project module in Cognitive Neuroscience taken in your final year.

Year 1 (Credit Level 4)

Subjects of study include: Cell Science • Foundations of Cognitive Neuroscience • Introduction to Cognition, Learning and Personality • Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology • Research Methods in Psychology (double module)

Year 2 (Credit Level 5)

Subjects of study include: Advanced Neuroscience • Cognitive Psychology • Developmental Psychology • Individual Differences • Psychobiology and Clinical Neuroscience • Research skills for Cognitive Neuroscience • Social Psychology

Work Placement Year

You will have the option of taking an additional work placement year between Year 2 and Year 3 (Credit Levels 5 and 6), subject to availability, where you will gain experience working under supervision in a psychological (or where possible a cognitive neuroscience) setting. If you successfully complete the work placement year you will receive a Certificate in Work-Based Learning in Psychology.

Year 3 (Credit Level 6)

Subjects of study include: Clinical Psychology • Memory and Executive Function • Neuropharmacology of Cognition • Origins of Communication and Language • Project in Cognitive Neuroscience (double module) • Psychophysiology • Studies of Consciousness • The Sensory Brain

At Level 6 there will also be the opportunity to take two options from a wide range of psychology modules, including: Critical Psychology • Forensic Psychology • Psychology and the Internet • Psychology of Sport and Exercise • Psychology of Women

Teaching and assessment

The course combines lecture, tutorial and practical laboratory elements. You will also be able to access podcasts and Blackboard, our online learning environment. Formal exams are supported by course work assessment.

Associated careers

Career opportunities are very diverse, and include areas such as clinical psychology, neuropsychology or experimental research, IT-related roles in industry, or academic research. You can go on to do postgraduate research or pursue careers in other fields such as law, education, forensics, commerce or marketing.

Professional recognition

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), provided the minimum standard of a Lower Second Class Honours is achieved. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

Typical offer for September 2011

Qualification Type	Grade/points
A Levels	BBB, of which two subjects should be in sciences (including maths and psychology)
International Baccalaureate	32 points, including a minimum of 5 in two Higher Level science subjects
BTEC National Diploma	DMM in Science