Neuroscience in Relation to Medicine Intercalated BSc

The aim of the intercalated BSc in Neuroscience is to teach you how the brain functions, from the level of single neurones to complex networks and systems. We cover the healthy brain as well as disease and disorder and the drugs used to treat them. It will stand you in excellent stead for your future career, whatever branch of medicine you choose to specialise in.

You'll be taught by active researchers, with world-class expertise. Much of the content will be at the cutting edge of scientific investigation and relevant to the elucidation and treatment of a variety of disease states affecting the nervous system.

We received an excellent review in the last Periodic Review exercise. Our external examiner complimented our "dedication to students", the “breadth of our programme” and “our assessment methods”. Previous intercalating students rated the course highly. Previous students carrying out laboratory projects have been included in scientific publications or resented their work at national meeting, giving a significant boost to their careers.

Topics covered include Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, neuronal networks, psychopharmacology, the neural basis of cognitive behaviours such as emotion and many more. You will gain an understanding of these topics from a pharmacological, neuroanatomical, physiological and molecular viewpoint.

The course will:

• provide you with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the major areas of neuroscience, with a detailed appreciation of some specialist areas

• provide you with knowledge of current neuroscience techniques and methodologies, with hands-on practical experience of some of these

• provide an opportunity to undertake an individual research project

• provide opportunities to develop competency in transferable skills, including the ability to analyse, interpret and evaluate data; acquire and integrate information, and use information to solve problems

• provide appropriate support and guidance

• provide high-quality learning resources to support the objectives of the course.

Research Project

Students can apply for one of our neuroscience focused projects. Some titles of projects offered recently by members of the Neuroscience programme team undertaken by neuroscience students (intercalating or otherwise):

• "Mechanisms of respiratory rhythm generation"

• "Mechanisms of acute/chronic pain and analgesia"

• "Trigeminal system and chronic oro-facial pain"

• "The genetic basis of neurological disorders"

• "Does diet during early life influence brain development?"

• "Properties of neuronal circuits underlying control of heart rate and blood pressure"

• "Regulation of ion channels by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in sensory neurons"

• "Recording ion channel activity in Alzheimer’s disease brains"

• "Stem cell differentiation and development"

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Teaching will be through lectures, practical classes, seminars, small group teaching, tutorials and a research project. Assessment is similarly varied, including in-course assessment (formative and summative) and written examinations. The in course assessment exercises include tests of practical skills, essay writing, data manipulation and problem solving. The research project will be assessed throughout the project and on the final written report. Degree classification will be based upon the marks obtained in each of the component modules, with the appropriate credit weighting applied.

Entry requirements

Other course specific tests:

How to apply

Read about applying for intercalation on the School of Medicine website.

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £25,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

The course is designed to give you a challenging, enjoyable and rewarding year which will add significantly to your skills, knowledge, and enhance your career opportunities on graduation.

The course allows full integration with existing science based BSc courses and the chance of a substantive research project.

In addition to providing subject-specific knowledge, we equip you with the best possible skills for future careers. There is a strong emphasis on practical based teaching, small group teaching, online learning and problem solving. You will gain a wide range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. You will be ideally placed to focus on your personal development and make the most of your intercalating year.