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 

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.

• Dr. Ciara Egan
• Prof. Colm McDonald
• Prof. Dara Cannon
• Dr. Declan McKernan
• Prof. Derek Morris
• Prof Gary Donohoe
• Prof Michelle Roche
• Dr. Pilib O’Broin 

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 Prof. Gary Donohoe 
gary.donohoe@universityofgalway.ie

Lecturer in Psychology 
School of Psychology 
Programme Director(s): 
Prof. Gary Donohoe

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, The minimum English language requirement for entry to this course is an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in any component.  

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.   

Consideration of Applicants
Applications are invited from October 1st. All fully completed applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the application deadline. Please note that available places may be filled prior to the application deadline, but no new applications will be considered after these dates.

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.  

Application Closing Dates 
Closing date for applicants: 28th February 2027

Applications must be submitted by the published closing date and must include all required supporting documentation. Only complete applications that satisfy the published entry requirements and supporting documentation criteria will be considered.

Applications received by the closing date will be assessed and ranked in accordance with the published entry requirements and supporting documentation criteria. As places are limited, priority will be given to applicants who most closely meet the programme selection criteria.

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 2027/28

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,500 towards your tuition .  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.

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.  

Consideration of Applicants
Applications are invited from October 1st. All fully completed applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the application deadline. Please note that available places may be filled prior to the application deadline, but no new applications will be considered after these dates.

Application Closing Dates
Closing date for Applicants: 28th February 2027

Applications must be submitted by the published closing date and must include all required supporting documentation. Only complete applications that satisfy the published entry requirements and supporting documentation criteria will be considered. Applicants may be invited to attend an interview.

Applications received by the closing date will be assessed and ranked in accordance with the published entry requirements and supporting documentation criteria. As places are limited, priority will be given to applicants who most closely meet the programme selection criteria.

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.