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Intercalated Neuroscience

Entry Year: 2024

Key information

Degree
BSc (Intercal)
Duration
1 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
B9MW
Institution code
Q50
Entry Requirements
Full entry requirements (including contextual admissions)
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£28,350
Funding information
Paying your fees

Overview

Learn the concepts and intricacies of neuroscience, and put them into practice with your own original research.

Our intercalated BSc in Neuroscience gives students already taking a medical degree the chance to achieve an additional degree in a specialist field in just one year.

This challenging and rewarding programme, led by internationally recognised researchers, is aimed at students with a keen interest in the field. We pride ourselves on training the next generation of medical neuroscientists.

You’ll study the anatomical, physiological, chemical and immunological processes of the normal nervous system, how these are altered in specific disease states, and the latest approaches to treatment. You'll develop a critical understanding of complex concepts in neuroscience particularly those relevant to the medical field and unmet clinical needs.

Following training in research methodology and practical skills, you'll undertake an original research project – a chance to demonstrate your understanding of experimental design and data acquisition and analysis. You'll be encouraged to present your research at conferences, and have chances to co-author publications.

Apply now for intercalated degrees

Apply by 1 February 12 noon to start your intercalated degree in September.

Intercalated degrees

Structure

You can start your one-year intercalated Neuroscience BSc after the second, third or fourth years of your MBBS, BDS or BVetMed.

Year 1

  • Brain and Mind  Disorders of Supraspinal Systems
  • Core Laboratory Methods
  • Disconnected Pathways - Disorders of Spinal Systems
  • Experimental Neuropathology
  • Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
  • Neuroscience Research Project

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Intercalated degrees

An intercalated degree will broaden your studies as you gain an additional qualification.

It will also:

  • strengthen your application if you wish to take the highly competitive academic Foundation Year route into clinical research or education and teaching
  • help you to progress into postgraduate training within your chosen speciality
  • develop your scientific awareness, with an opportunity to carry out original research
  • allow you to experience your chosen field and be sure it’s right for you.

Find out more about intercalated degrees

Testimonial

The intercalated degree has given me the opportunity to carry out laboratory experiments, which is something I hadn’t experienced as part of my medical training. It has stimulated my interest in research and has made me more likely to consider carrying out laboratory research whilst being a doctor. Furthermore, having an intercalated degree will strengthen my CV, meaning I am more likely to get my desired jobs in my foundation years and beyond.

Dafydd Plant, Neuroscience (2018)

Teaching

Teaching and learning

In Semester A you'll receive approximately eight to 10 hours of weekly contact time, carrying out independent study for the remaining time in the week.

In Semester B, in addition to the Research Project module, you'll take one taught module with approximately two hours of weekly contact time and six to 10 hours of independent study.

You’ll learn through:

  • formal lectures and seminars given by experts in the field
  • laboratory sessions covering experimental approaches
  • workshops on communication and learning skills
  • practical sessions on statistical analysis of data.

You’ll be encouraged to be proactive and explore further through reading primary literature and reviews.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a mixture of in-course assignments and essay examinations. The Neuroscience Research Project module will be primarily assessed in the form of a written thesis.

Resources and facilities

The Faculty offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies. You’ll be based in the Blizard Building, which houses state-of-the-art facilities for students and staff – including open-plan research laboratories, a 400-seat lecture theatre and a café.

You’ll also have access to:

  • the Queen Mary Whitechapel library, a beautiful and peaceful study space
  • QMPlus, our virtual learning environment, which provides a forum for students and tutors to interact and where lecture notes and handout material are made available electronically
  • your own assigned personal mentor, who is available as a sounding board to discuss learning strategies and any academic or personal issues you may have during study.

Entry requirements

Intercalated degrees are for undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in the MBBS, GEP or BDS programmes at Queen Mary, or at another medical, dental or veterinary school.

Medical students
You must have completed 2, 3 or 4 years of the MBBS course (1 or 2 years of a graduate entry programme) and passed all years to date.

Dental students
You must have completed 2, 3 or 4 years of the BDS course and passed all years to date. You must also have completed all continuous assessment and have satisfactory annual progress reviews.

Veterinary students
Veterinary students are welcome to apply.

All students
Satisfactory performance in, and completion of, all student-selected components (SSCs).

Selection
Students who meet the criteria will be asked to attend an interview.

Where there is competition for places, students will be ranked on their exam results to date and their interview performance.

How to apply
See full information on how to apply for intercalated degrees.

Non-UK students

Students from the UK and overseas are welcome to apply for our intercalated degrees.

English language

Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.

You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.

Further information

Find out more about our intercalated degrees.

Funding

Loans and grants

UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for from Student Finance England or other government bodies.

Bursaries

Medical and dental students from Barts and The London will be considered for various bursaries based on research interests, financial need or academic merit.

These bursaries are not available to students from other medical schools, or to Barts and The London students who choose to intercalate externally.

Support from Queen Mary

We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.

Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:

  • additional sources of funding
  • planning your budget and cutting costs
  • part-time and vacation work
  • money for lone parents.

Careers

Our students graduate with in-demand specialist knowledge of modern medical neuroscience, an advantage if you later apply for postgraduate training in this or a related field.

With its emphasis on research skills, the programme also forms a strong basis for careers in academic medicine.

About the School

The Blizard Institute is the largest institute within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. We aim to deliver excellence in all aspects of research, teaching and clinical service: our research output is ranked joint first in the UK for hospital based clinical research and first in London for health services research.

We work in partnerships with neighbouring NHS Trusts, healthcare professionals and local communities on research to address the health needs of our local population.

The Global Public Health Unit brings together leading researchers and teachers in public health policy, all of whom share a commitment to reducing health inequalities and promoting universal health care in and beyond the UK.

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