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Graduate

MSc in Clinical and Therapeutic Neuroscience

Designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills of advanced technologies to conceptualise and run research projects that develop and test novel psychotropic and neurological agents.

Full time

Open
Upcoming application deadline for 2027-28 entry:
12:00 midday UK time on Tuesday 1 December 2026

Expected length
1 year
Expected start date
October 2027
English language level
Higher level required

Application deadlines

12:00 midday UK time

Final application deadline for entry in 2027-28

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans

About the course

The MSc taught course in Clinical and Therapeutic Neuroscience is a one-year course designed to equip students with the transferable skills required for a career in translational (cell to patient) research. The course will offer you insights into a range of fields including molecular biology, brain imaging, behavioural research and epidemiology. It is delivered by pre-clinical and clinical research teams based in the Department of Psychiatry, in other University of Oxford centres within the neuroscience community, and in the NIHR Oxford Cognitive Health Clinical Research Facility.

The course aims to provide you with:

  • a broad knowledge of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders and their current treatments and management;
  • direct experience in integrative, multidisciplinary and novel pre-clinical and clinical research investigation for treatment discovery;
  • an ability to critically appraise research methods and experimental results;
  • familiarity in conceptualising and designing experimental protocols and clinical trials for drug/treatment discovery; and
  • an opportunity to communicate research results and their clinical implications to a wide audience. 

Course structure

This section provides an overview of the course structure, while details of the individual course components are provided below.

An overview of the course structure is provided below. Details of the compulsory elements of the course are provided in the Course components section of this page.

The course comprises six core modules delivered through a range of methods, including lectures, seminars, student presentations and independent learning and study. You will participate in small group teaching and develop close working relationships with academic and project supervisors. Students are expected to work for about 44-46 weeks in Oxford, and to spend about 20-25 hours per week on independent reading and work on essays and journal presentations. Typically, there will be no more than 15 hours per week of contact time with teaching staff for every term. Note that students are expected to study material covered in lectures in their own time.

Course lectures will take place in the Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology and the Nuffield Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Clinical Medicine. You will also have access to the extensive range of seminars and symposia in other departments in the University.

You are advised to visit the course page on the department's website to obtain further information on the course (see Further Information and Enquiries). 

Core components

You will take six core modules.

Course details

Entry requirements

For entry in 2027-28

Funding and costs

College preference

Before you apply

Completing your application

Contact details