Clinical Neuroscience (MSc)

MSc (Clinical Neuroscience)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
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MSc Clinical Neuroscience MSc graduate perspective

Course Overview

Please note that the applications for this course will be closed on 26th Feb 2025

Dr Ciara Egan provides further details about the Clinical Neuroscience course as part of this video covering all School of Psychology MSc programmes.

Knowledge derived from neuroscience research in mental health, psychology, neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration is revolutionising how we think about and treat mental disorders. A thorough grounding in neuroscience is fast becoming an essential step for a career in academic and clinical psychology, psychiatry, and careers in neuroscience more broadly.

In response to that need this program is designed for students with backgrounds in psychology, medicine, pharmacology, and other biomedical and neuroscience related disciplines. It will equip students with a set of core skills in the field of clinical neuroscience including in-depth understanding of neuroanatomy, neuroimaging, and neuropsychiatry. Students will have opportunities to learn through practical hands-on experience.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Who Teaches this Course

The course will be delivered by internationally recognised researchers and clinicians from University of Galway’s newly established Neuroimaging and Cognitive Genomics Center (NICOG) and the NCBES Galway Neuroscience Center (GNC), giving students access to rich and diverse expertise in neuroanatomy, cognitive neuroscience, psychiatry, neurology, pharmacology & human genetics. In addition to the below, every year we have a number of classes taught by adjunct and visiting lecturers.

Dr Tom Burke (part-time)
Prof John Kelly
Dr Pilib Ó Broin
Dr Andrew Flaus
Dr Miriam Moriarty
Dr Jane Conway

Dr Ciara Egan

BA, MSc, PhD

Lecturer - Contract Type B
School of Psychology
University of Galway
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Prof GARY DONOHOE

BA, BD, HDip, MPsychSc, DClin Psych, PhD

PROFESSOR
School of Psychology
Room 1040
Arts Millennium Building
NUI Galway
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Prof Colm McDonald

MB, BCH., BAO

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Dr Siobhan McMahon

B.Sc., Ph.D.

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Prof Dara Cannon

PhD

Professor
E: dara.cannon@universityofgalway.ie
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Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Second Class Honours NQAI Level 8 degree or equivalent in a discipline relating to neuroscience. Qualifying degrees include, but are not limited to, psychology, medicine, pharmacology and biomedical science. Please note that admission to this programme is highly competitive and meeting minimum achievement thresholds does not guarantee entry.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

1 year, full-time

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

No set closing date. Offers are made on a continuous basis.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

MSc

CAO

Course code

MSC-CNS

Course Outline

The course will be of a content and format consistent with highest standards for postgraduate courses, consisting of 90 ECTS credits obtained by completion of course modules. Teaching approaches will consist of didactic lectures, problem-based learning, seminars, workshops, practicals and completion of a research dissertation, as well as subject specific training in a range of areas relevant to clinical neuroscience. Students will also receive valuable training in current research methodologies.

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)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme are likely to go on to professional training in clinical psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience-related posts in industry or to undertake further academic work at PhD level.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

On the successful completion of this programme students will have:

Enhanced skills in research and experimental design
A high level of written and verbal communication
Data management, analysis, and statistics skills
Oral and scientific poster presentation skills
The ability to critically evaluate published information
Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,750 p.a. (€8,890 including levy) 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€8,750 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€20,000 p.a. (€20,140 including levy) 2025/26

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26). 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.

Find out More

Course Director: Professor Gary Donohoe

Course Coordinator:
Dr Ciara Egan
E: ciara.egan@universityofgalway.ie

Quick Links

What Our Graduates Say

Liam McGrattan | Assistant Psychologist

Having come from a Psychology background, the Master of Clinical Neuroscience provided a perfect balance between biological and psychological content, which I sought to learn about. 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 assisted me in making the next step in my learning and landing an Assistant Psychologist Position. The opportunity to publish one's dissertation and explore future research also allows one to pursue a career in research.

in Connect with Liam

Emma Corley | PhD candidate

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 MSc 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. During the MSc, I found that not only did I benefit from the interdisciplinary focus of the modules, but I also benefitted greatly from being surrounded by students from different academic backgrounds such as psychology, biochemistry, pharmacology and anatomy. This often made for interesting discussions in class and in group work. I would highly recommend this course to anyone wishing to pursue a career in academia or in clinical psychology. The course is taught to a really high standard and covers a wide variety of topics in the area of clinical neuroscience.

in Connect with Emma

Evan Hunt | Trainee Clinical Psychologist

After completing the MSc in Clinical Neuroscience 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 practical discussions, particularly from the neuropsychiatry and mental health module.

in Connect with Evan

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