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Accessibility & LanguageClinical Neuroscience (MSc)
Master of Science (Clinical Neuroscience)
College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies- Title of Award
- Master of Science
- Course Code
- MSC-CNS
- Average Intake
- 18
- Delivery
- On Campus
- NFQ
- Level 9
- Award Type
- Major
- Next Intake
- September 2026
- Duration
- 1 year, full-time
- ECTS Weighting
- 90
Why Choose This Course?
Course Information
The MSc in Clinical Neuroscience is designed for students from psychology, medicine, or other biomedical and neuroscience disciplines who hope to go on to doctoral training in clinical psychology or neuroscience research.
What will I study?
This full-time M.Sc. programme comprises a 12-week taught program in semester one and semester two, followed by a research dissertation in semester three, during which you will have the opportunity to work in the group or lab of your supervisor.
Modules include:
- Neuroanatomy
- Neurophysiology
- Medical Genomics
- Fundamental & Applied Concepts in Pharmacology
- Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Neuropsychology
- Clinical & Experimental Cognitive Neuroscience
- Human Neuroimaging
- Neuropsychiatry & Mental Health
- Advanced Research Methods
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Subject
- Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Required Core Subject
- A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.
Year 1 (90 Credits)
OptionalSI209: Neurophysiology - 5 Credits - Semester 1OptionalST311: Applied Statistics I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalPS340: Neuropsychology - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalAN326: Neuroanatomy - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalMA5106: Medical Genomics 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalPM209: Applied Concepts in Pharmacology - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalPM208: Fundamental Concepts in Pharmacology - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalBI5107: Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalPS6183: Advanced Research Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredPS6130: Clinical and Experimental Cognitive Neuroscience - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredPS6132: Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalPS6157: Research Methods in Neuroscience - 10 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalPS3122: Cognitive Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredAN5105: Human Neuroimaging - 10 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredPS6133: Neuropsychiatry and Mental Health - 10 Credits - Semester 2
The course is delivered by internationally recognised researchers and clinicians from the University of Galway’s Neuroimaging and Cognitive Genomics Center (NICOG) and the University of Galway Neuroscience Center (GNC), giving students access to rich and diverse expertise in neuroanatomy, cognitive neuroscience, psychiatry, neurology, pharmacology & human genetics. In addition, every year we have a number of classes taught by adjunct and visiting lecturers.
On this course you will have an opportunity to build on your knowledge gained at undergraduate level by working alongside leaders in the areas of neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. Prof Gary Donohoe, Prof. Dara Cannon, Prof Colm McDonald), Language acquisition (Dr. Ciara Egan), neurodegenerative disorders (Prof. Michelle Roche, Dr. Tom Burke).
You will be equipped with a theoretical and practical knowledge of clinical neuroscience through didactic teaching, hands on tutorials (e.g. in neuroanatomy and neuroimaging) and completion of a research project.
Following this course you will have the skills necessary both for PhD research and for further training in clinical psychology.
As noted above, graduates from the course have gone on to either clinical training, to undertake a PhD, or to work in industry.
This programme provides graduates with a highly marketable and transferrable combination of neuroscience skills, as well as experience of applying these skills in neuroscience research.
Students will receive valuable training in current research methodologies, with facilities to study in depth those methodologies most interesting to them (e.g., systematic review, wet-bench, and software methodologies).
Students will be provided with an exceptional learning environment, where they can excel and capitalise on the strength of the University of Galway neuroscience community.
How Will I Be Assessed?
Throughout the programme, your progress is assessed through various coursework and exams, including reports, essays, presentations, and computer assignments.
Course queries:
For any queries regarding the course please contact Dr. Ciara Egan
Ciara.egan@universityofgalway.ie
Lecturer in Psychology
School of Psychology
Programme Director(s):
Dr. Ciara Egan
Prof. Gary Donohoe
Accreditations & Awards
Having come from a Psychology background, this MSc provided a perfect balance between biological and psychological content. The modules in this course included the likes of neuroanatomy, pharmacology, neurophysiology and neuropsychiatry, which did a brilliant job of describing the interrelationship between our minds and bodies. The small course size provides the opportunity to develop genuine connections with people from different backgrounds. I aspire to do the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology when I am ready. This course helped me advance my learning, gain an Assistant Psychologist role.
Liam McGrattan
Assistant Psychologist
After completing the MSc in Clinical Neuroscience, I was eager to carry on conducting research and I was fortunate enough to be offered a PhD in the school of psychology. The course completely prepared me for the start of my PhD. I learned core skills such as experimental design and data analysis, which have been invaluable in my further education. The lecturing staff were extremely helpful, enthusiastic and supportive, giving me lots of guidance on improving my prospects for going on to a professional doctoral program. gained from the course’s interdisciplinary focus and diverse peers.
Emma Corley
PhD candidate
After completing the course, I worked as an Assistant Psychologist in the HSE in a variety of settings, including Primary Care Psychology and Adult Mental Health before starting clinical training. The MSc equipped me with a wide knowledge base that directly impacts my practice: from explaining the underlying physiological aspects of anxiety disorders in psychoeducational sessions, to conducting neuropsychological and cognitive assessments. The concepts and practices that I learned have aided me in treating clients, allowing me to draw on the insights of expert clinicians and discussions.
Evan Hunt
Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Meet our Employers
Entry Requirements and Fees
Minimum Entry Requirements
Candidates must hold at least a Second Class Honours Level 8 primary degree in a related subject area or hold a primary degree in a related area (which is acceptable to the college) without honours and have three years’ relevant practical experience in the subject area.
Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.
English Language Entry Requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.
More information on English language test equivalency are available here.
Supporting Documents
You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course.
You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.
Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.
You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.
Closing Dates
The closing data is for this programme is March 31st.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotes will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle.
Notes
- You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
- Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.
Fees for Academic Year 2026/27
| Course Type | Year | EU Tuition | Student Contribution | Non-EU Tuition | Levy | Total Fee | Total EU Fee | Total Non-EU Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Full Time | 1 | €8,900 | €20,400 | €140 | €9,040 | €20,540 |
For 26/27 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 1.8% per annum for continuing years fees.
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,500 towards your tuition (2026/27). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.
Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships
This scholarship is valued at €1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses. You will be eligible if:
- You have been accepted to a full-time taught master's course at University of Galway,
- You have attained a first class honours (or equivalent) in a Level 8 primary degree.
An application for the scholarship scheme is required (separate to the application for a place on the programme). The application portal for 2025 is now open and available here. Applications will close on the 30th September 2025. Full details available here.
Global Scholarships
University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. Visit here for schemes currently available.
Application Process
Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.
Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.
Further Information
Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.
Why University of Galway?
World renowned research led university nestled in the vibrant heart of Galway city on Ireland's scenic West Coast.
College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland, H91 TK33
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Course Introduction
The MSc in Clinical Neuroscience is designed for students from psychology, medicine, or other biomedical and neuroscience disciplines who hope to go on to doctoral training in clinical psychology or neuroscience research. Taught by clinicians and researchers, it will equip students with a set of core skills in the field of clinical neuroscience including in-depth understanding of neuroanatomy, neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychiatry and mental health.
MSc Clinical Neuroscience Brochure
