BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
About this course
BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, an undergraduate degree focusing on the biological and psychological mechanisms underlying human behaviour, perception, and mental function. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, and Research Methods. This British Psychological Society-accredited course includes an optional foundation year and offers an optional professional placement year. The first year covers core subjects through Introduction to Experimental Biology - Human Biology, Excitable Cells: the Foundations of Neuroscience, Introduction to Developmental Psychology, and Foundations of Biological & Cognitive Psychology, alongside optional modules like Genes, Evolution and Development. The second year progresses to advanced study through Motor Systems, Sensory Systems, Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience, and Statistics and Data Analysis, with optional choices such as Drugs & the Brain and Animal Behaviour. The final year involves specialised study through compulsory modules like Cognitive Neuroscience & Psychology - Problem Paper, complemented by optional areas spanning clinical psychology, neuropharmacology, organisational psychology, and research projects including the Bioscience Research Project for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology and the Dissertation for Psychology/Neuroscience students.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 62%
- Academic support: 76%
- Organisation and management: 57%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 62%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 30%
- Information Technology Professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Natural and social science professionals: 5%
- Caring personal services: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 250 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 49%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 19%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 3%
- Northern Ireland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Foundation course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Academic Tutorials Year 1
- Introduction to Laboratory Science
- Introduction to Experimental Biology - Human Biology
- Writing and Referencing Skills (online unit)
- Drugs: From Molecules to Man
- Excitable Cells: the Foundations of Neuroscience
- Health & Safety online course
- Introduction to Developmental Psychology
- Introduction to Social Psychology
- Study Skills in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
- Foundations of Biological & Cognitive Psychology
- Individual Differences in Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Psychological Research Skills I
- Genes, Evolution and Development
- Body Systems
- Academic Tutorials Year 2
- Neuroscience RSM
- Motor Systems
- Sensory Systems
- Topics and Issues in Developmental Psychology
- Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience
- Personality and Individual Differences
- Statistics and Data Analysis
- Topics and Issues in Social Psychology
- Psychological Research Skills IV
- Human Anatomy & Histology
- Drugs & the Brain
- Membrane Excitability: Ion Channels & Transporters in Action
- Animal Behaviour
- How to Make a Brain
- Academic Tutorials Year 3
- Cognitive Neuroscience & Psychology - Problem Paper
- Bioscience Research Project for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
- Science Communication Project for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
- Bioethics: Contemporary Issues in Science & Biomedicine
- Neuroinflammation in Health & Disease
- Neuropharmacology of Human Health
- Clocks, Sleep & the Rhythms of Life
- Learning, Memory & Cognition
- Hormones & Behaviour
- Cutting-edge Methods in Biomedical Sciences
- Organisational Psychology
- Dissertation for Psychology/Neuroscience students
- Project Psy/Neuro
- Language and Communicative Development in Educational Settings
- Sociality & Communication: Evolutionary Perspectives
- Qualitative Research Methods in Applied Contexts
- Cases in Clinical Neuropsychology
- Lifestyle Behaviour Change
- Clinical Psychology
- Understanding Dementia: Brain and Behaviour
- Psychology of Music
- Psychology of Politics, Identity and Society
- Perception - From Lab to Life
- Psychology in the Real World
- Emotion
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology at University of Manchester earn?
The median salary is £23,500 after 3 years, £29,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,000 and £36,500. The £29,500 median after five years is £2,000 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology at University of Manchester do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology at University of Manchester?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology at University of Manchester?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 159 UCAS points.
Is BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology at University of Manchester accredited?
Yes. Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
How many students continue on BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology at University of Manchester?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.