MRes Leadership and Strategy
The University of Greater Manchester offers a wide array of undergraduate and postgradu...
MSc Social Neuroscience
Bolton
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The MSc in Social Neuroscience at the University of Greater Manchester offers a focused and advanced postgraduate education in the interdisciplinary field that investigates the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior and cognition. The program aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of how the brain processes social information and influences social interactions. It integrates theories and methods from neuroscience, social psychology, and cognitive psychology, providing a strong foundation for research and applied careers.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the MSc in Social Neuroscience is structured to provide a strong theoretical and methodological grounding in the field. Core modules typically cover the neural basis of social perception, emotion, and motivation; social cognition (e.g., theory of mind, empathy); social decision-making and behavior; developmental social neuroscience; and the neurobiological underpinnings of social disorders. A significant emphasis is placed on research methods in social neuroscience, including neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, EEG), psychophysiology, and computational modeling. Students will also receive training in advanced statistical analysis and research design, culminating in a substantial research project or dissertation.
Research Focus: The MSc in Social Neuroscience program has a strong research focus, aiming to develop students' abilities to conduct innovative and impactful research in the field. Students are typically supervised by faculty members who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research in various areas of social neuroscience. The program provides comprehensive training in relevant research methodologies and neuroimaging techniques, and the dissertation project allows students to pursue their own research interests under expert guidance. The research focus of the program prepares graduates for further doctoral-level studies or research-oriented careers in academia, research institutions, or industry.
Industry Engagement: While social neuroscience is a relatively new and primarily research-focused field, the MSc program at the University of Greater Manchester may incorporate elements of industry engagement where relevant. This could include guest lectures from researchers working in applied areas such as neuromarketing, social robotics, or the development of neuro-feedback interventions for social deficits. The program aims to highlight the potential applications of social neuroscience research and provide students with insights into potential career pathways beyond academia.
Global Perspective: Social behavior and cognition are influenced by cultural contexts, and the MSc in Social Neuroscience program may incorporate a global perspective by examining cross-cultural studies of social brain function and behavior. The curriculum might include discussions of how cultural norms and values shape social interactions and their neural correlates. This global perspective helps students to understand the universality and cultural specificity of social neuroscience findings and prepares them to engage with research and potential applications in a diverse and interconnected world.
Location
Bolton
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 15950
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.0.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 79.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 59.
- Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Greater Manchester offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence and assist students in pursuing their studies in the UK.
Global Futures Scholarships: The university provides the Global Futures Scholarships, which offer financial support to international students. These scholarships are available to both undergraduate and master's students holding an offer for full-time study on campus in Manchester.
Equity and Merit Scholarships: The university offers Equity and Merit Scholarships to academically excellent international students. These scholarships are available to postgraduate taught students commencing their studies. The scholarships aim to support students who demonstrate strong academic performance and their chosen field of study.
Engineering the Future Scholarships: The School of Engineering at the University of Greater Manchester provides scholarship awards to academically excellent international students commencing their postgraduate taught studies. These scholarships aim to support students pursuing careers in engineering and related fields.
Graduates from the MSc Social Neuroscience program at the University of Greater Manchester acquire a unique and interdisciplinary skillset, positioning them for careers at the forefront of understanding the neural basis of social behavior. While many roles require further specialized training, an MSc in Social Neuroscience is a strong foundation for various research-oriented and emerging applied fields.
Research Scientist/Associate (Social Neuroscience): Graduates can work in academic laboratories or research institutions, conducting studies investigating the neural mechanisms underlying social cognition, emotion, and behavior.
Neuroimaging Analyst: With expertise in brain imaging techniques (fMRI, EEG), graduates can work in research centers or hospitals, analyzing neural data related to social processes.
Cognitive Neuroscience Researcher (Social Focus): Graduates can contribute to research exploring the intersection of cognitive functions and social interactions in the brain.
Research Fellow (Postdoctoral - after PhD): Following doctoral studies, graduates can pursue postdoctoral research positions to further specialize in a specific area of social neuroscience.
Data Scientist/Analyst (Behavioral/Neuroscience Focus): Applying their analytical and statistical skills to large datasets of social and neural information in academic or industry settings.
Computational Social Neuroscientist: Graduates with computational skills can develop and apply models to understand the neural computations underlying social behavior.
Research Coordinator/Manager (Clinical/Neuroscience Studies): Graduates can manage the logistical and ethical aspects of research studies involving human participants and neuroimaging.
Science Communicator/Outreach (Neuroscience/Psychology): Graduates can use their understanding of social neuroscience to communicate complex scientific findings to the public.
Consultant (Emerging Applications): As the field evolves, graduates may find opportunities in consulting roles related to neuromarketing, social robotics, or the development of socially intelligent AI.
Further Doctoral Study (PhD in Social Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, or related fields): The MSc provides a strong foundation for pursuing a PhD to become an independent researcher or academic in social neuroscience.
