Course Highlights

MRes in Neuroscience is a 1-Year Full-Time Specialization Master Level Course, and here are the top reasons to opt for this course.

• The MRes in Neuroscience is designed to provide advanced training in neuroscience research to the students.
• Students are taught by renowned scientists and researchers who are thorough with theoretical and practical knowledge.
• Multiple research projects are conducted within the laboratories during the course duration, and students are provided with various opportunities to learn the same.
• Questionnaires are also created for analyzing the multiple parameters of the research.
• This postgraduate taught programme is run by the 'School of Psychology and Neuroscience' at the University of St Andrews.
• The University promotes a research-based teaching culture across a wide breadth of psychology and neuroscience topics.
• The most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2014 ranked the University of St Andrews top in Scotland and 14th in the UK for the Quality of Research Publications across Science, the Arts, Divinity, and Medicine. -
• 100% of the research is internationally recognized, while 80% is world-leading or internationally excellent.
• The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for Student Academic Experience in The National Student Survey 2020
• The University has also secured a TEF Gold Award for the Quality of Teaching, which is rewarded to those universities which provide beneficial knowledge to the students.
• The overall aim of this course is to enable students to acquire the skills needed to succeed as independent research scientists.

Course Eligibility

  Key Eligibility Requirements :(MRes) Neuroscience

• Class 12: NA
• Bachelors: Applicants must have a minimum 2:1 honors degree in a science-related subject such as Neuroscience, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Psychology, or Computer Science or an approved qualification with a minimum average score of 60% in academics.
• Usually, qualifying students to have an average score of 60% to 80%.
• The criteria for selecting the students is the sole discretion of the university as per their guidelines.
• Applicants with relevant work experience and good academic potential are also encouraged to apply for the (MRes) Neuroscience programme.
• Exams: English Language requirements - NA

Note: The University shall advise if proficiency proof is required when an offer is made.

Course Fees

Note: 

• The above values are approximate and are subject to change.
• The hostel charges may vary depending on the choice of accommodation opted by the student.
• The above mentioned fees and expenses are for 1st Year of the course duration.

Career Prospects

• Many psychologists and neuroscience postgraduates have gained postdoctoral and lecturing positions in universities worldwide after completing their masters from St Andrews.
• The university provides students with several opportunities to achieve academic experience by being involved in tutorials, laboratory classes, and independent research.
• In addition, postgraduation students are also found to be indulged in a variety of fields, including industry, education, and medicine
• The ‘Careers Centre’ at the University of St Andrews offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course. 
•  Experts conduct events to assist students in building their employability skills.
• Many graduates tend to continue their education by enrolling in Ph.D. programmes at St Andrews or other top UK universities.

Key Learnings

• The School of Psychology and Neuroscience hosts a weekly seminar programme in the Old Library of the psychology building to generate awareness about this course.
• These seminars include public lectures, open school discussions, and research paper presentations by various guest lecturers from the UK and abroad. 
• Following the workshop, a reception is typically held in the departmental standard room.
• The University of St Andrews also hosts an annual 'Jeeves Lecture' as part of its seminar programme where eminent psychologists and neuroscientists share their knowledge with the students.          
• The course begins with a week-long intensive module which continues during Semester 1 with a weekly seminar series.
• Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, practicals, and guided independent study.

Study Benefits

• The University of St Andrews is ranked as the top University in Scotland and 2nd only to Oxford in the UK, according to The Guardian University Guide 2021, thereby splitting the Oxbridge duopoly for a second year in the succession. ( Source: The Guardian University Guide 2021- 1st in Scotland, 2nd in the UK)
•  St Andrews is ranked under the world's top 100 universities according to the QS University World Rankings 2021.
• It's a unique place to study and live where students may find themselves crossing golf courses on their way to class or jogging along the beach after dinner. 
• Along with its world-class reputation, the university also offers a diversified range of social activities, including over 140 student societies and 50 sports clubs. 
• Historic buildings are placed against the modern facilities, and the many student traditions truly make studying at St Andrew's an unforgettable experience.
• From cutting-edge facilities to flexible assessment methods, the university aims to ensure that all students get from St Andrews education components as much as possible.

Core Modules

Students have to study the following course modules during their study duration.

• Neuroscience Research Design Reading Party: Intensive week-long module introduces designing and carrying out neuroscience research at the postgraduate level.
• Techniques and Skills in Neuroscience Research: Examines 'state-of-the-art neuroscience' techniques through critical analysis of primary literature.

Optional Modules

Students choose two optional modules out of all these which are available in the course curriculum.

• Advanced Microscopy and Image Analysis - Seeing are Believing: Introduction to advanced imaging techniques such as Confocal, Super-resolution, TIRF, and Electron Microscopy.
• Behavioral Neuroscience: This allows students to access current research in behavioral neuroscience and possible topics, including motivation, learning, and attention. 
• Biology and Behaviour of Social Insects: Examines and compares the biology of the four main groups of social insects: termites, ants, wasps, and bees.
• Evolution and Human Behaviour: Introduces and critically evaluates the main evolutionary approaches currently being used, including socio-biology, evolutionary psychology, behavioral ecology, and gene-culture co-evolution.
• Evolutionary Developmental Biology: Aims to cover some of the principal, current themes in evolutionary developmental biology.
• Mechanisms of Behaviour: Integrating Psychological and Neuroscience Perspectives: Explores some of the many physiological and neural systems that modulate behavior patterns in various species, including humans.
• Molecular Mechanisms of Membrane Trafficking: Considers how molecules control the movement of substances through the secretory pathway alongside focusing on how cells regulate the release of contents.
• Motoneurons: From Physiology to Pathology: Provides in-depth knowledge of critical aspects of neuronal function and potential dysfunction by focusing on motoneurons.
• Neural Basis of Episodic Memory: Examines how the brain can remember information from our personal experience.
• Neuroscience: Primarily for students who have not studied neuroscience previously, this module covers essential biochemical, cellular, and behavioral aspects of the nervous system in health and disease.
• Neuroethology: Focuses mainly on behaviors arising from the interactions between predators and their prey.
• Neuromodulation: Explores the diverse range of neuromodulatory mechanisms and outlines their importance in information processing in the nervous system.
• Research Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience: Showcases the 'state-of-the-art' approach of observing the brain in action to understand the biological bases of behavior. 
• Synaptic Transmission: Covers recent progress in understanding the morphology and ultrastructure of synapses, neurotransmitter corelease and recycling mechanisms, retrograde signaling, synaptic plasticity, the role of glial cells, and the development of neurotransmission.

Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships 

• Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's global scholarship programme which is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organizations. 
• The Scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars with leadership potential. 
• This is for a 1-Year Masters's Program, and you must hold an offer from the University of St Andrews to apply for this Scholarship.

Music Centre Scholarships 

•  Music Centre Scholarships are for students who have been accepted at the University and can demonstrate musical merit according to the university guidelines.

Saints Sports Scholarships

• The funding may be available to those students who show exceptional abilities and potential in sports while studying at St Andrews.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) 

• The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and UK universities to support scholarships for students from least developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise study in the UK.