Neuroscience MRes

Help advance understanding of the nervous system by training in cutting-edge neuroscience techniques.

Our research seeks to understand how the nervous system, the most complex and highly organised part of the body, is able to generate perception, thoughts and behaviour. We then apply this understanding to seek solutions to real-world problems such as promoting healthy ageing, stroke recovery and spinal cord injury repair.

To address such neuroscientific problems, this one year MRes will enable you to spend most of your time in an active laboratory, learning and applying cutting-edge techniques. Take a moment to look at the areas below and consider which research team you could contribute to. If you don’t see an exact match but have an idea of what you'd like to do – please contact Samit Chakrabarty.

• Neuroengineering

• Molecular neuroscience

• Neurodegeneration

• Neural circuits

• Neurotrauma and repair

Find out more about our Neuroscience research.

The programme will begin by giving you an overview of the field of neuroscience and the inclusion of advanced tools and techniques useful in interrogating it for preclinical and clinical purposes.

Projects are offered prior to your start in the laboratories and will change every year as it is dependent on the direction of research of the groups. These will be made available to students to select and decide upon as soon as they have registered and confirmed their enrolment. Students will make the decisions during the first month of the programme after meeting with the group leader/s. This will be arranged by the module or programme lead. The laboratories, where the research projects take place are currently open, and all MRes students will be expected to be working in laboratories if the project demands that starting in October 2021 unless any changes owing to government regulations.

Modules will introduce you to contemporary data analysis tools as well as the fundamentals of bioimaging, using data from real experimental scenarios. The use of core statistical models (classification, regressions), for analysis of different time-series datasets provided by local researchers, will be introduced during the data analytics module. During this module, you will also analyse and interpret large scale biological and biomedical data to help with the diagnostics and therapeutics of physiological function.

You’ll be provided with the basics of the use of algorithms towards solving complex problems like diagnosis of function or improved function with therapies.

Depending on your chosen project, at the end of the course, we expect you to have acquired the skills to:

• Design and conduct experiments to elucidate the working of the neuronal systems.

• Develop an understanding of normal neurological function in vertebrates to enable better understanding of dysfunction.

• Use technologies to interrogate neurological dysfunctions in the vertebrate population (animal and human diseases).

• Analyse the data using appropriate methods and statistical techniques, and interpret, critically discuss and draw conclusions from these data.

• Establish efficacious use of new tools and their outcome evaluation to enable easy transfer of knowledge to preclinical and clinical scientists.

• Provide insight into how this information can then be transferred towards drug discovery, diagnostics, biomarker screening for patient stratification, improved rehabilitation and technological adaptations.

• Introduce the use of big data analysis, use of mathematical algorithms and software pertinent to study of the nervous system and development of new tools involving the capture of biological data, processing and its use for producing a defined output.

For more details about your modules for September 2021 start, see the table below.

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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Neuroscience MRes in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

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.

Entry requirements

BSc 1st class or 2:1, or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline which would normally be one of the biological or biomedical sciences, but a natural sciences or engineering graduate will be considered subject to evidence of biological knowledge at an appropriate level. Subject to University regulations MBChB or BDS students who had completed 3 years of study may intercalate if eligible.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Documents and information you’ll need

• completed online application form (for Taught Postgraduate Study)
• completed supporting statement
• full CV
• transcript of degree examination marks achieved to date
• copy of final degree certificate (if completed)
• evidence of English language qualification (non-native English speakers only)
• copy of passport (if you’re an overseas student).

Find out more about how to apply.

Apply

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Next steps

• we process your application
• we inform you of our decision
• if we make you an offer, you respond by accepting, declining or deferring.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Biological Sciences Taught Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

• UK: £11,250 (total)
• International: £24,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

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 about additional costs

Scholarships and financial support

Scholarships for Faculty of Biological Sciences students

We award a generous range of scholarships to UK and international students. We consider all eligible applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and excellent personal and professional skills. Find out more about the range of scholarships we have to offer.

Government-backed loan = Up to £11,222. Find out more.

Alumni bursary = If you are a former student of the University of Leeds you may be eligible for a 10% alumni tuition fee bursary

You can also search our postgraduate scholarships database or you can also find information on MoneySavingExpert

There’s an increasing demand for people skilled in the knowledge of biological sciences applied to healthcare, in the form of biological and medical technology. Knowledge of use of large data, its collection and analysis is critical. This is leading to an innovative and disruptive technological development for improved diagnostic and therapeutic tools for mental health, mobility and common dysfunctions like pain.

Upon completion of this programme you’ll be well-placed to undertake a PhD in this field or as a junior research assistant if working in an academic, start-up or industrial environment.

There are career opportunities in neurotechnology, neuroscience and electroceuticals worldwide with industries and start-ups like GSK and BIOS Health. With the growth in healthcare industries locally in Leeds and Yorkshire, in the UK and internationally there’ an increase in demand for skills like data analytics, imaging, neuropathology and healthcare app development.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.