Experimental Neuroscience
Receive broad research training in neuroscience to prepare for further PhD study or a career in clinical service.
Receive broad research training in neuroscience to prepare for further PhD study or a career in clinical service
Build planning and project management skills and learn to communicate science effectively to a variety of audiences
Gain practical experience of laboratory research on three research projects
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MRes
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£19,000 Home
£45,000 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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Hammersmith
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Course overview
Build your research skills in neuroscience on this Master's course, designed to prepare you for further PhD research study.
You will be taught by leaders in fields of research such as cell and molecular biology, genetics, neuropathology, imaging and computation, equipping you to make more informed choices for your own research.
You'll complete three 12-week projects during the year, and gain practical experience of laboratory research while building a range of transferable skills.
For each project, you'll work with different research groups to experience a broad range of laboratory environments and practical techniques pertinent to this field.
On completing the course, you will have a thorough understanding of the field of neuroscience and a range of transferable skills that will make you a desirable candidate for roles within academia, research organisations and pharmaceutical companies.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
The programme is comprised of three modules and each module consists of a research project and a coursework component.
The projects last at least 12 weeks and are designed to give practical experience of laboratory research.
You'll receive rigorous training in academic research and the scientific process. The transferable skills you gain will also prepare you to make a more informed choice for PhD research or a career in science or medicine.
Core modules
Analyse available brain imaging techniques and learn how to critique imaging papers and assess their strengths and limitations.
Implement a research plan to address a focused scientific/research question and generate and interpret novel experimental data using statistics.
Formulate hypotheses and test them statistically with sound experimental design before communicating your research findings.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Coursework
- Project work
- 25% Coursework
- 75% Project work
Teaching and learning methods
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Laboratory-based research project
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Departmental seminars
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Independent learning
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Problem-solving classes
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Research groups
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Work-in progress meetings
Assessment methods
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Dissertations
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Oral presentations
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PhD proposal
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Group activity
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2025 entry
£19,000
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2025 Fees
£45,000
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
The Dean’s Master’s Scholarships
Value per award
- £10,000
Who it's for
- All students applying to study a Faculty of Medicine Master’s programme
The Dr Jean Alero Thomas Scholarships
Value per award
- Partial or full tuition fee at the Home rate
Who it's for
- All students applying to study a Faculty of Medicine lab-based Master’s programme
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Learn the fundamentals and applications of neuroscience research.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Develop the transferable skills required to forge a career in clinical service, industry or scientific publishing.
The Department of Brain Sciences also provides an ideal environment to pursue a PhD and build your career in research.
Further links
Contact the department
Course Directors: Dr Stefano Sandrone and Prof. Steve Gentleman
Visit the Department of Brain Sciences website.
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Request info
Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications