School of Psychology

Programme Summary

Understanding the human brain in health and disease is one of the key research challenges of our time. Meeting this challenge depends on progress at multiple-levels, from investigations of single neurons through to studies of human cognition and perception. Bridging the gap between these levels is not easy, but recent advances in non-invasive neuroimaging and neurophysiology techniques seem to offer such a bridge, by providing a window on brain structure and function at the regional level. However, no single technique offers a complete picture – each has its own strengths and weaknesses. It is for this reason that much recent effort has been in multi-modal integration of several different imaging approaches.

This MSc programme aims to address these needs by equipping graduate students from a wide range of backgrounds, including psychology, engineering, physical and biological sciences with the methodological tools to undertake neuroimaging research at the highest level.

Students are taught by international experts in both multimodal methods (Semester 1) and applications of these methods in several domains (Semester 2). Depending on their background and interests, students may then choose to specialise in either methodology or applications-based research for their project in Semester 3.

The course will place students in a competitive position for PhD studentships or research positions in neuroimaging methodology, cognitive neuroscience or translational neuroscience applied to human health and disease. 

The hub of the MSc is the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), which is part of the School of Psychology at Cardiff University. CUBRIC is one of only a handful of research-dedicated centres that contain multiple neuroimaging techniques in one building: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetoencephalography (MEG), Electroencephalography (EEG) and Trans-cranial Stimulation (TMS/TDCS). A key feature of this course is that students will gain hands-on experience using all of these techniques.

Course content

This one-year full time course starts in September and is a mixture of two taught Semesters and a research project in the final Semester.  The course consists of the following modules, which are all compulsory:

Semester 1: Neuroimaging Methods	Semester 2: Neuroimaging Applications
MRI: Technologies and Methods	Memory: Functions and Failures
fMRI: Physiology and Methods	Clinical Neuroimaging Research
MEG and EEG: Physiology and Methods	Neuroimaging of Perception and Action
Human Brain Stimulation: Technology and Methods	Neuroimaging of Pain, Touch and Emotions
Neuroimaging Methods: State of the Art	Neuroimaging Applications: State of the Art
Postgraduate Research Design and Statistics Part 1	Postgraduate Research Design and Statistics Part 2
Semester 3
Neuroimaging Research Project

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a degree of a 2.1 standard or equivalent in a relevant science-based degree.  This includes (but is not restricted to) Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Biology, Neuroscience or Psychology based subjects. Overseas students with equivalent degree classifications, where English is not their first language, must provide proof of proficiency in the English language (usually IELTS score of 7 or above).

Tuition Fees

For information on fees please visit the course information page on the University Coursefinder website.

PhD Positions at Cardiff:
The School of Psychology at Cardiff offers several funded PhD positions each year to exceptional students, including projects within CUBRIC. Graduates from this Masters programme will be in a strong position to apply for one of these competitively awarded places.

Application Process

Please complete a University Application Form by clicking here.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview.

Further information

Should you require any further information please contact Natalie Moran, Course Administrator, – psych-masters@cardiff.ac.uk.