The University of Bolton's MSc in Social Neuroscience supports you to develop an advanced knowledge of how the brain responds to and makes sense of the social world. Our expert team will also help build your confidence in using neuroscientific research skills (for instance, electrophysiology and eye-tracker experiments).

Key information

Award:

MSc

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

18 months

Location:

University of Bolton

Start date:

25/09/2023

Course Details

Humans' social nature is based on neural, hormonal, and molecular structures and networks that we have started to understand only relatively recently. This includes studying the processes behind the sensation and perception of social stimuli and the behaviours associated with social interactions. This highly progressive Master's programme is designed to give you excellent learning opportunities in Social Neuroscience – supported by our department's enthusiastic, supportive teaching staff and a technology-enriched learning environment.

Studying at the University of Bolton's town centre campus, you'll explore issues from a variety of perspectives, underpinned by a research-informed knowledge base, as you develop an in-depth knowledge of social neuroscience. Our expert team will also encourage and support you to refine and enhance your critical evaluation and reflection skills.

As you progress, you'll have the opportunity to build your research skills, helping you conceptualise, design and implement a substantial piece of independent research. This, in turn, offers you a unique opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of new ideas and approaches in social neuroscience.

Successfully completing our MSc in Social Neuroscience will open up a wide range of opportunities for employment or further study at the doctoral level.

Highlights

We'll support you as you develop an in-depth and advanced knowledge of social neuroscience, both in terms of theory and evidence.
You'll have ongoing opportunities to develop highly sought-after skills in critical evaluation and reflection relating to social neuroscience theories and research techniques.
Our focused research training will support and guide you in conceptualising, designing and implementing independent research in social neuroscience.
We work hard to create a learning environment that offers innovative teaching and assessment methods and access to high-specification facilities such as our observation and psychophysiology laboratories, Neuroscan software and hardware, and Stim3 software.
This postgraduate course is designed to enhance your employability in the sector or help you progress to further studies in psychology.

Key Features

Enthusiastic, dedicated and supportive teaching makes this an engaging and exciting postgraduate opportunity.
The course curriculum explores issues from a balanced range of perspectives, supported by a research-informed knowledge base.
With a strong emphasis on research and critical enquiry, we aim to build your ability to contribute to the ongoing development of new knowledge in social neuroscience.
Learning and teaching are student-centred and involve small group sessions and one-to-one tutorials. Your studies will be supported and enhanced by the University's virtual learning environment.
The programme includes a lab-based work experience module that gives you access to live research projects within the School of Education and Psychology.
By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.

You should have an upper second class (2.1) honours degree (or above) in Psychology, which is accredited by the British Psychology Society for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
If you have a lower second class (2:2) honours degree in Psychology, you may be accepted to the programme following a successful interview. We may also ask you to provide a portfolio of your work as part of the application process.
We'll also be happy to consider your application if you're a graduate of an alternative but related degree (for instance, neuroscience or biology). We'll require you to attend an interview, and we may ask you to provide a portfolio of your work to help determine your suitability for the course.
Relevant work experience can also provide an advantage.
We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
This course does not confer Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) – if you're seeking to achieve GBR, please consider applying for our MSc Psychology (Conversion) programme.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Graduates of our MSc Social Neuroscience degree will have a thorough grounding in the neural mechanisms underpinning human social perception, cognition and behaviour. Upon successful completion, you'll possess a range of highly transferable skills, such as oral and written communication, and the management and analysis of complex data sets.

This MSc is designed to prepare you for a potential career in research. It's also relevant if you have an interest in clinical psychology or wish to work in the biomedical sector.

What can I do with this qualification?

As a graduate of this forward-thinking postgraduate degree, you'll possess knowledge and skills that are highly valued in academic research and the clinical professions. Undertaking the MSc in Social Neuroscience can help you to access roles in healthcare, science, the media, business and education. If you're already a professional in a caring/educational field, completing this course will contribute to your professional development.

This MSc is an ideal springboard for PhD studies, particularly research in cognitive or social neuroscience. It's also an excellent preparation for further professional training in clinical psychology or a related discipline.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use this qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers, bearing in mind that some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include:

Lecturing
Research and development
Medicine
Biotechnology and contract research
Human resources
Social work
Counselling
Family mediation and support
Nursing
Child psychology
Police
Media and advertising
Communications
Sport psychology
Pharmaceuticals
Clinical sciences
Publishing

Course fees

Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £5,280 for the academic year 2023/24.

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £13,550 for the academic year 2023/24.

Useful information

Please note the total course fee for a Home student starting this course in 2022/23 will be £7,020. As this is an 18-month course, the fees are £4,680 for the first year and £2,340 for the final semester.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

Bursaries

Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.

For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:

You should have to hand:

Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference

Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.

Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.

If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions@bolton.ac.uk

Apply online: University of Bolton MSc Social Neuroscience - 25 September 2023

Thank you for your interest

In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.

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English Language Qualifications

Have you completed an English Language qualification prior to application or have a valid exemption as per the list below? (The qualification/exemption must be uploaded with this application) E.g. Applicants from Nigeria/Africa must upload their WAEC or NECO certificate before the application is submitted for a prompt response and offer.

Acceptable English Language Tests – Undergraduate and Postgraduate

These tests must have been taken within 2 years of the start of the course

Test	Entry Requirements
IELTS Academic (taken within 2 years)	Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
IELTS Indicator	Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
PTE	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Overall score of 50 with no less than 42 in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Overall score of 58 with no less than 50 in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 Overall score of 65 with no less than 58 in each component
TOEFL iBT Including Special Home Edition	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Overall score of 80 with the following component scores: Reading – 18 Writing – 17 Listening – 17 Speaking - 20 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Overall Score of 88 with the following component scores: Reading – 20 Writing – 19 Listening – 19 Speaking 21 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 Overall Score of 100 with the following component scores: Reading – 23 Writing – 24 Listening – 22 Speaking 22
Pearson Versant	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Overall score of 55 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Overall score of 60 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 Overall score of 65
Trinity College (Integrated Skills)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 ISE II –Distinction in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 ISE III – Pass in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 ISE III – Merit in each component
Other qualifications we currently accept (which do not require an additional SELT)
GCSE in English Language (from a UK awarding body)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade C Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade B
Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade C/C3 (20 points) Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade B/B3 (37 points)
Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level English	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade D/D2 (46 points) Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade C/C2 (66 points)
IGCSE English as a First language (for syllabus 0500 Listening and Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade C Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade B
IGCSE English as a Second language (for syllabus 0510 Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade C Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade B
Cambridge Advanced English	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 170 points with no component below 160 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 180 points with no component below 170 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 185 points with no component below 180
International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus A)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 4 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 5
International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus B)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 5 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 6
European Baccalaureate English Language	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 70% Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 80%

Acceptable European qualifications

English component must be obtained within the last 4 years

Country	Qualification
Austria	Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis at 2.0
Belgium	Diplome d'acces a l'enseignment superieur/Diplome van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs at 75%
Bulgaria	Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie at Grade 3
Croatia	Svjedodzba o Maturi at grade 4.0
Cyprus	Apolyterion at 15
Czech Republic	Maturitni Zkou'ce/Maturita at grade 2.0
Denmark	Studentereksamen/HF/HHX/HTX/IBB /Diplomingenior at grade 9
Estonia	Riigieksamitunnistus or Gümnaasiumilõputunnistus at 70%
Finland	Ylioppilastutkintotodistus or Studentexamensbetyg at grade 5
France	Baccalauréat (le bac) or the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat at grade 12.5
Germany	Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife or Abitur or a Fachgebundene Hochschulreife at grade 2 / gut
Greece	Apolyterion at grade 15
Hungary	Erettsegi at grade 4
Italy	Diploma di Esame di Stato at grade 8/80%
Latvia	Atestats Par Visparejo Videjo Izglitib at grade 8
Lithuania	Brandos Atestatas at grade 8
Malta	Matriculation Certificate at grade C
Moldova	Diploma de Bacalaureat or Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generala at grade 9
Netherlands	Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO) or Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) at grade 8
Norway	Vitnemal-Videregaende Opplaering at grade 4
Poland	Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci / Matura at grade 70%
Portugal	Diploma de Ensino Secundario at grade 14
Romania	Diploma de Bacalaureat (English with all components at B2)
Slovakia	Vysvedcenie O Maturitnej at grade 2
Slovenia	Maturitetno Spricevalo at grade 4
Spain	Titulo de Bachillerato at grade 8
Sweden	Fullstandigt Slutbetyg Fran Gymnasiesk at grade C
Switzerland	Maturitatszeugnis or Maturite Federal at grade 5
Ukraine	Aтестат про повну загальну середню освіту at grade 10

Acceptable International Regional qualifications

Must be obtained no more than 4 years before the proposed start date of the course

Country	Qualification	Grade
Bahamas	General Certificate of Secondary Education	Grade C in English
Botswana	General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level	Grade C/4 in English
Brunei	Cambridge O Level	Grade C6 in English
Cameroon	GCE O level	Grade C in English
Hong Kong	HKCEE	Grade C in English (Syllabus B)
Hong Kong	HKDSE	Grade 4 in English
Kenya	Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education	Grade C in English
Malaysia	Malaysian 1119	Grade 6C in English - IELTS 6.0
Singapore	Singapore Cambridge O Level	Grade C6 in English
South Africa	South Africa National Senior Certificate	Grade 5 in English
Tanzania	Certificate of Secondary Education	Grade C in English
Uganda	Certificate of Education	Grade 6
Zambia	Zambia School Certificate	Grade 6 in English
Zimbabwe	General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level	Grade C in English
	Caribbean Examination Council	General proficiency Grade III in English
Nigeria/Ghana	WAEC/NECO	Grade C6 in English

I confirm I hold one of the above English Language Qualifications/Exemptions before making an application. I will upload the evidence with this application.

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Thank you for your interest

Please secure an approved English language qualification and then apply for the next intake.

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Have you ever received a visa refusal for entry into the UK or any other country?

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Unfortunately we would be unable to sponsor under the Student Route Visa. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK please email us for further advice: intadmissions@bolton.ac.uk

Your Funding

Do you have full funding in place to cover your full tuition fees and living costs as required by UKVI? Please click here for more information.

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Have you read and understood the course entry requirements and confirm that you fully meet the requirements? (Please click on Entry Requirements tab above to ensure you comply with all the requirements for this course)

You may also refer to the following pages for information about International Qualifications equivalency: https://www.bolton.ac.uk/international/your-country-entry-requirements/

For further assistance with international qualifications equivalency (paid service) – please refer to the ECCTIS website (previously known as NARIC): https://ecctis.com/Qualifications/FindTheServiceForYou.aspx

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Unfortunately we will be unable to proceed with your application as all entry requirements must be met.

Final Terms & Conditions

Please read the following:

I understand that the university reserves the right to withdraw their offer at any stage once the quota for the course has been filled.
I understand that I will be required to pay specific fees before CAS issuance is considered by the university.
I must declare any agent or consultant at the start of my application and they must be on the list of approved agents. (We also have Branch Offices in Africa, South Asia, Middle East and Central Asia who fully manage applications in their respective regions.)
I am able to complete the course in the normal duration.
I am able to arrive on time for the published start date.
I confirm that I will be 18 years old or more on the start date of the course.
I understand that the following documents will be uploaded as part my application:
(a) Passport with at least 6 months validity before start of course.
(b) Personal statement (written by myself).
(c) CV if applicable.
(d) Previous qualifications.
(e) English language certificate or proof of exemption.
(f) Professional references if applicable.
(g) Bank Statements and TB Certificate if applicable at the CAS issuance stage.
I have read and understood all questions and answered them correctly and truthfully to the best of my ability and knowledge.

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Apply Online

The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.

How you apply is determined by your current location and what you are choosing to study:

Apply direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of this course are shown below. Please click the link which will direct you to the online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this.
Apply via one of our approved in-country referral partners. A list of our partners may be found on the International pages of this website.
Apply via UCAS for courses starting in September only – visit www.ucas.com.

Should you have any queries please contact the International Team on +44 (0) 1204 903110 or email international@bolton.ac.uk

Apply online: University of Bolton MSc Social Neuroscience - 25 September 2023

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You'll experience a diverse range of teaching methods designed to complement each other and help you achieve the course's intended learning outcomes. You'll attend lectures, seminars, workshops and lab sessions. We'll also expect you to undertake significant independent reading and investigation, complete seminar-related work and prepare for workshops, presentations and group discussions. Some modules will require you to follow up taught sessions by using online resources and completing complementary tasks.

Assessment methods are also varied, allowing you to demonstrate your learning in various ways. For example, module assessments may require you to complete reports, essays, presentations, literature reviews, or review journal articles, write up laboratory tasks, complete short question and answer sessions relating to statistical analysis, and present reflective journals.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

Psychological and Social Research: Review, Evaluation and Design
Quantitative Inquiry 1
Quantitative Inquiry 2
Advanced Social and Cognitive Neuroscience
Social Neuroscience Techniques
Social Neuroscience Laboratory Practical
Psychology Dissertation

Assessment methods

Level	Assesment method
Level one	Coursework 100%

Learning activities

Level	Learning activity
Level one	Guided independent study 85%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 15%

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.