2024 entry (view 2023 entry)
MSci Psychology and Neuroscience (CB81)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: A*AA
A-level contextual offer: AAB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
4 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£29,000 per year, international students
Fees quoted are for 2023 entry only. Fees for 2024 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2023.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
This course will equip you to combine the critical, theoretical and practical skills central to psychology with a cellular, synaptic and systems-level understanding of brain function from neuroscience. The course emphasises the experimental study of the mind and nervous system and we want our students to share a sense of fun and adventure in exploring and combining these different perspectives.
MSci Psychology and Neuroscience is taught by experts who are enthusiastic about teaching students the latest developments in the field based on the research that they are conducting. It is specifically designed to meet the requirements for accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and gives you eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). It provides you with a pathway to becoming a psychologist along with knowledge and skills from both disciplines, which you can apply in a wide range of careers.
In the first year you will be introduced to what psychology can reveal about how the mind works, and the neuroanatomical pathways and cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying brain function.
In the second year you will continue to develop your understanding of biological, cognitive, social and developmental aspects of psychology alongside the different techniques used to study nervous systems.
The third year will combine training in psychological experimental design and statistical analysis with the opportunity to focus on specific research areas, such as neurological and psychiatric disorders or interdisciplinary areas, such as behavioural and cognitive neuroscience.
In your fourth year you will apply what you have learned to investigate a specific psychological research question. You will also develop valuable skills in communicating science and developing ideas, as well as deepening your understanding of specialist and interdisciplinary areas of psychology and neuroscience.
Course structure
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
A*AA including two core science/maths subjects.
Core science/maths subjects include: Psychology, Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics).
A-level contextual offer
AAB including AB in two core science/maths subjects
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/maths subjects include: Psychology, Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics).
BTEC
D*DD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsCore science/maths subjects include: Psychology, Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics).
International Baccalaureate Diploma
38 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in two core science/maths subjects
Core science/maths subjects include: Psychology, Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics).
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 6, 5 at Higher Level in two core science/maths subjects
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/maths subjects include: Psychology, Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics).
European Baccalaureate
88% overall, with 8.5 in two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Advanced Mathematics
Core science/maths subjects include: Psychology, Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics).
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AA in two core science/maths subjects, and Standard Higher: AAAAB
Core science/maths subjects include: Psychology, Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics).
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/ Medical/ Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits at Distinction from one of the following, and 12 credits (including 9 at distinction) in another: Biology or Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, or Psychology.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Core science/maths subjects include: Psychology, Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics).
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Core science/maths subjects include: Psychology, Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics).
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
Core science/maths subjects include: Psychology, Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics).
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
Higher numeracy requirement (6 or B in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent)andStandard literacy requirement (4 or C in GCSE English or equivalent)
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
- GCSE English Language grade B or 6
- An alternative English Language Profile B qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- The admissions statement above relates to 2023 entry. The statement for 2024 entry will be available in summer 2023.
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: