Overview

The taught content of the MSc is identical to the taught content we deliver when providing professional training to Clinical Psychologists pursuing entrance to the Special Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists. The course therefore covers core content dictated by the British Psychological Society and delivers an authentic reflection of clinical practices and issues. You will learn about a range of neuropsychological disorders and pathologies as well as focusing on principles of assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.

Around 80% of our course is delivered by clinicians practicing in UK hospitals and we teach a large range of clinical skills which will support those who wish to have a career working with patients or conducting patient research in Neuropsychology. Weekly tutorials (during term-time) with clinical psychologists give students an opportunity to interact with professionals as they explore the pathway through which patients with brain injury or disease are referred, assessed and treated. In addition, the course provides teaching from allied medical professions in order to demonstrate the role that Neuropsychology plays within wider healthcare systems and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care. This practical insight is coupled with study of the techniques, tests and theory that inform clinical practice so that our students are able to question and evaluate evidence-based practice.

Research project

You will have the opportunity to undertake independent research through the programme's dissertation. There are some opportunities to conduct your research project with clinicians working in the NHS. Recent projects have looked at a diverse range of subject areas, including the effect of odours on autobiographical memory, the regulation of emotion following brain injury and the relationship between social media and wellbeing.

Entry requirements & fees

Please see our prospectus page for detailed information.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you need to meet Profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Online lectures

Lectures should be attended in person but they are all recorded for you to replay at any point.

Part-time study

This MSc can be taken full-time as a one year cours or part-time over two years. The entry point for the programme is September.

Course structure, units and assessment

The MSc consists of six taught units (total of 120 credits) and a 60-credit dissertation. Please check our programme catalogue for full details of the unit content.

Scholarships

There are a number of scholarships that are available for postgraduate study at Bristol, and these include UK, EU and international students. More information about scholarships can be found on the University of Bristol's funding web page, and there is also information specific to each country. The Student Funding Office has further information about funding postgraduate study.

For UK students undertaking an MSc, there is a scholarship award available from the Grundy Educational Trust.

More information about the Grundy Educational Trust scholarship.

Applications are now open for the new Bristol Master's Scholarship for talented postgraduate home students from widening participation backgrounds. Worth £2,000 each, the scholarship will be awarded to 50 eligible students who have an offer for a postgraduate taught programme. Full eligibility criteria, deadlines and terms and conditions are on the Bristol Master's Scholarship webpage

Workload

Full-time

The academic year is comprised of two 12-week teaching blocks and the summer period. In each teaching block, there is one week of intensive teaching (~20 hours in one week), otherwise there are typically three 2-hour lectures per week and a 90-minute clinical tutorial. The dissertation starts in the first teaching block (Sept-Dec) but continues through the Summer.

Online assessments occur twice a year in the January assessment period and the Summer assessment period. Check the University dates page for details.

Part-time

Each academic year is comprised of two 12-week teaching blocks and the summer period. In each teaching block, there is one week of intensive teaching (~20 hours in one week), otherwise there is typically one 2-hour lecture per week and a 90-minute clinical tutorial. The dissertation starts in the first teaching block (Sept-Dec) of the first year, but is paced to allow completion over 2 years.

Online assessments occur twice a year in the January assessment period and the Summer assessment period. Check the University dates page for details.

Careers

This degree delivers core skills and knowledge related to the theory and practice of Clinical Neuropsychology. As such, it will support those with aspirations for further clinical training, such as clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology, or a career in clinical research. Our programmes also deliver training which will enhance your opportunities to gain employment within clinical environments – especially those with a focus on Clinical Neuropsychology and can also assist those wishing to obtain research assistant posts with a clinical focus.

For students who go on to complete doctoral practitioner psychology training (e.g. clinical psychology), the taught content of this degree can be recognised later as contributing to your professional qualification in neuropsychology and you would not need to repeat this training when seeking entry to the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists.

This programme also provides continuing professional development to anyone who is already working in a clinical setting and is seeking specialist training to work with patients who have neuropsychological deficits.