Neuroscience

The one year MSc is interdisciplinary in content and completely inter-departmental in structure, since at least nine departments or research centres contribute to it each year. Providing both theoretical and practical training, including two research laboratory placements, the course is modular and therefore flexible with respect to participants' backgrounds and interests.

The course takes an integrated approach to neuroscience and provides skills training in a wide range of experimental and theoretical methods intended to enable you to ask questions and tackle problems that transcend the traditional disciplines from which neuroscience has evolved.

You will undertake two extended research projects from a choice of over 100 offered each year by the extensive neuroscience research community in Oxford. You will also attend the graduate programme lecture series, which provides a broad education covering molecular, cellular, systems, computational and cognitive neuroscience.

The academic year begins in late September and is divided into three terms. The first term provides an introduction to neuroscience and research methods, while the second and third terms combine advanced taught courses, essay writing and two laboratory rotations (research projects). The course concludes the following September with an oral examination.

Each of the MSc research projects lasts for about 16 weeks and is selected from a very extensive list of approved abstracts. These are written up as 10,000-word dissertations. With over 100 abstracts submitted each year there is always plenty of choice, but if you are interested in a particular lab or research topic, you are welcome to discuss a potential project independently with an appropriate supervisor. Many of these projects lead to publications.

1. Academic ability

Proven and potential academic excellence

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in any scientific discipline. The department encourages applicants with a physical sciences background, as well as those who have studied a biological subject, such as psychology, biochemistry or neuroscience, at undergraduate level. 

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If in doubt about the eligibility of your qualifications, please contact the department.

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

2. English language requirement

3. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

• Three references (letters of recommendation)
• Official transcript(s) of previous university-level degrees
• CV/résumé

• 2. English language requirement - Higher level

  Test	Standard level scores		Higher level scores
  IELTS Academic  Institution code: 0713	7.0	Minimum 6.5 per component	7.5	Minimum 7.0 per component
  TOEFL iBT  Institution code: 0490	100	Minimum component scores: Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24	110	Minimum component scores: Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24
  Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)	185	Minimum 176 per component	191	Minimum 185 per component
  Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)	185	Minimum 176 per component	191	Minimum 185 per component

  3. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

• Three references (letters of recommendation)
• Official transcript(s) of previous university-level degrees
• CV/résumé
• Personal statement: Up to 1,000 words

• Clarendon Scholarships. This unique scheme offers around 140 new, fully-funded scholarships each year to academically outstanding graduate students, as well as providing a lively and stimulating community of scholars.
• Hill Foundation Scholarships. The Hill Foundation Scholarships fund Russian students to study for full-time graduate courses in any subject at Oxford. The Hill Foundation is a charity which aims to create a community of Oxford scholars and alumni who will work to improve Russian life and culture.The scholarship will cover 100% of University and college fees and a grant for living costs (of at least £14,296). Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course.