Course Overview
Course summary
This exciting interdisciplinary degree considers how the structure and function of the brain gives rise to mental processes while it interacts with its physical, social, and cultural environment.
Cognitive and clinical neuroscience blends theoretical, experimental and applied aspects of psychology with neuroscience, and overlaps with other psychological disciplines including physiological, cognitive and clinical psychology, developmental science, psychopharmacology and neuroanthropology.
Our unique course places a particular focus on brain-behaviour relationships, by bringing together evidence from molecular and cellular neuroscience, brain injury studies, neurological illness, and also looks at developmental and cognitive aspects. It explores a wide range of research-based and clinically relevant methodologies including brain imaging, computational modelling and comparative cognition (considering evolutionary and developmental approaches).
During your degree, you’ll consider all aspects of cognitive functioning, from learning, memory and language through to concepts such as intelligence, decision-making, creativity and consciousness.
Our course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to develop a career across a vast range of highly sought-after employment areas, including academic research, clinical psychology, experimental research, IT and neuropsychology. You’ll also gain the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.
In your first year Credit Level 4, you’ll gain core skills in psychology, as identified by the British Psychological Association for chartered membership. In your second and third years Credit Levels 5 and 6, you’ll enrol on core and option modules from a range of cognitive and clinical disciplines.
Top reasons to study with us
- Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience BSc has a 91% student satisfaction rate and 90% of students are in work and/or further study 15 months after the course. (Source: Discover Uni, accessed in December 2020)
- Our course provides a unique blend of psychology and neuroscience in a suite of tailored modules exploring the mind-body link
- Assessments are designed to be rich, varied and authentic to real-world research and practice
- The breadth of this degree allows students to pursue careers in a wide range of jobs in a variety of sectors
Course structure
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, practical classes and laboratory work, supported by online material and periods of independent study.
Assessment methods may include exams, in-class tests, essays, oral and poster presentations, debates, case studies, and laboratory, practical and technical reports.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Subjects of study include:
- Biological Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Individual Differences
- Introduction to Psychological Research Methods
- Social Psychology
Credit Level 4
Subjects of study include:
- Brain and Cognition
- Cognitive and Clinical Research Methods
- Systems Neuroscience
- Cultivating Employability Skills for Career Success
- Mechanisms of Mind-Body Therapies
- Medical Physiology
- Physiological Systems
- Societal Responses to Climate Change
Credit Level 5
Professional placement or study abroad year
If you wish to further enhance your employability, you may choose to take your degree as a 4-year sandwich degree, graduating with a BSc Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience with Professional Placement. This sandwich year is taken at the end of your second year of studies. This option will give you the opportunity to develop your employability skills over a prolonged period and develop connections with other professionals.
If you wish to gain experience of studying abroad over an extended period, you may choose to take the BSc Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience with International Experience, studying at partner universities across the globe for a whole academic year.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.
Subjects of study include:
- Advanced Research Techniques (ART) in Cognitive Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Disorders
- Neuropharmacology
- Project in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience
- Consciousness
- Data Science Applications in Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Music and the Mind
- Occupational and Work Psychology
- Political Psychology
- Psychology of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Psychology of Education
- Sexology
Credit Level 6
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, provided the minimum standard of a Lower Second Class Honours is achieved and the empirical project has been passed. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
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(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Open days
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Careers
With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.
Transferable skills
You'll gain the knowledge and experience to work in a wide range of areas including clinical psychology, counselling, forensic psychology, human resources, teaching and speech therapy.
Get ahead before you graduate
You’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable experience during an optional work placement year.
Graduates in work or further study
90% of students are in work and/or further study 15 months after the course. (Source: Discover Uni, accessed in December 2020)
Career development
Our Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience BSc Honours course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the professional body that oversees psychology in the United Kingdom.
Providing you meet the minimum standard of a Lower Second Class Honours level and pass the empirical project, you are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered (GBC) membership of the BPS. GBC is the first stage necessary for becoming a chartered practitioner in the areas of clinical, counselling, forensic, sport and exercise, educational, health and occupational psychology.
Some of our graduates also go on to pursue a career in research (via an MSc/PhD) and teaching, as well as working in clinical institutions, human resources, law, marketing and business.
Job roles
This course will prepare you for roles and areas such as:
- Academia (eg anorexia, dyslexia, face perception, neuroscience of hearing, rehabilitation in dementia, robotics and more )
- Clinical psychologist
- Counselling
- Forensic psychology
- Human resources
- School/further education teacher
- Speech therapist
Graduate employment
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- Market research companies
- NHS
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Police Service
- Prison Service
Studying Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Dr Laura Boubert
Principal Lecturer
Laura is a BPS Chartered Psychologist and a Senior Fellow of the HEA. She obtained her BSc in Psychology from the University of Westminster in 1995, and her PhD in investigating how memory changes with age in 2000, before becoming a full-time lecturer at the University. Her research interests have since then expanded to explore how cognitive processes contribute to a range of everyday experiences, including explanations for visual hallucinations, bilingualism, learning in higher education and sport.
Laura has led several courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate level before becoming course leader for the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience BSc, as well as holding a number of other roles within the University. She was Faculty Director of Learning and Teaching from 2009 to 2012, and Chair of the Psychology Research Ethics Committee from 2012 to 2018. Her teaching covers areas of cognitive psychology and cognitive neuropsychology across all years.
There is no scientific study more vital to man than the study of his own brain.
- Francis Crick
Course Team
- Professor Catherine Loveday - Professor
- Dr Beth Parkin - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Christina Moutsiana - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Alison Eardley - Reader
- Dr Deborah Husbands - Reader
- Dr David Williams - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Haiko Ballieux - Senior Lecturer Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
- Dr Karen Bunday - Senior Lecturer
Why study this course?
Fantastic central London location
Based in our Cavendish Campus in central London, you’ll enjoy the benefits of studying in a major global city.
Student satisfaction
91% of our students agreed that they were satisfied with the course.
(Source: Discover Uni, accessed in December 2020)
A supportive environment
We provide our students with the right environment, support and guidance throughout their studies to keep them motivated.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points), with one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology
- T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the IB including a minimum of 5 in one HL science subject (can include Maths and Psychology)
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM in Applied Science
- BTEC Diploma – D*D in Applied Science
- Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process.
- International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2022/23
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring,
Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.
For more details, visit our Cavendish Campus page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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