Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
University of Manchester
UCAS Code: BC18 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
University of Manchester
UCAS Code: BC18 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
AAA-AAB: - AAB including two core sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, or: - AAA including one core science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths) and one of the following subjects: Geography, Psychology, Environmental Studies or Physical Education. Subjects with overlapping content are not normally considered as separate A-levels; Further Mathematics is not considered alongside Mathematics and Human Biology is not considered alongside Biology. Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive. Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.
Each application is considered individually. Applicants should contact the Admissions Office to discuss their particular circumstances. In general, we require 60 credits overall with 45 graded credits at Level 3, which must include a minimum of 15 credits in Biology and 15 credits in Chemistry. All 45 graded credits must be at Distinction grade. We may also consider applications from applicants whose course has allowed only 12 credits at Level 3 in Biology, with the remaining three credits at Level 3 with Distinction in Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics.
The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview (if applicable). A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including at least five GCSEs at minimum grade 6/B, including English Language and Mathematics. If an applicant has a grade 5/C in either English Language or Mathematics, but has a grade 6/B in the other subject, we would advise they still apply. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language. Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of? our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications ?or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
36 - 35 points overall. 6, 6, 6 to 6, 6, 5 at Higher Level including two science subjects, normally Biology and Chemistry, but can include Physics, Geography, Psychology or Mathematics (AA and AI are both considered). Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.
We consider the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D or above for entry when it is taken with two core science A-levels (minimum AB required).
We consider the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D* or above for entry when it is taken with two core science A-levels (minimum AA/AB required).
We consider the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D or above for entry when it is taken with two core science A-levels (minimum AB required).
We consider the Cambridge Level 3 Technicals (except the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate) with grade D* or above for entry when it is taken with two science A-levels (minimum AA/AB required).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
We consider the National Diploma in Applied Science with grades DD for entry when it is taken with two A-levels including grade A in a core science (see list above) and a minimum of grade B in any other subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
We consider the National Extended Certificate in any subject with grade D* for entry when it is taken with two core science A-levels (minimum AB required).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
We consider the National Extended Diploma in Applied Science with grades DDD for entry when it is taken with one core science A-level with grade A (i.e. Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics or Physics).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
We consider the National Foundation Diploma in any subject with grade D* for entry when it is taken with two core science A-levels (minimum AA/AB required).
We require grades AABBB (including two science core subjects) together with grade A in Advanced Higher Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics. If you have not studied National 5 qualifications, we would expect you to have studied English and Mathematics at Higher Level.
We require grades AABBB (including two science core subjects) together with grade A in Advanced Higher Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics. If you have not studied National 5 qualifications, we would expect you to have studied English and Mathematics at Higher Level.
The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and would consider this at grade B or above when taken with two science A-levels (minimum AB required). For further details, please contact ug.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk .
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About this course
Our BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology course combines major topics in experimental psychology and neuroscience to offer a broad grounding in this exciting field of behavioural science.
The psychology component covers topics including:
- how humans think (cognitive processes);
- how the world is sensed (perception);
- comparative and developmental studies;
- clinical psychology.
The neuroscience component of the course examines how the brain and nervous system work to generate behaviour, perception, movement, the action of drugs on the nervous system, sleep, memory and other key functions.
The course also covers new technological advances that have been at the forefront of recent breakthroughs in the field of cognitive neuroscience and psychology, as well as advances in our understanding of the biology of higher brain function and the pathogenesis of a variety of neurological disorders, such as mental health disorders and neurodegenerative disease eg Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
You can gain valuable experience through our work placement schemes, with an opportunity to take a year-long placement in Year 3 (subject to meeting progression requirements).
We also offer opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner institutions, depending on academic performance.
Our degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means as well as providing a solid foundation for a career in biological sciences, it constitutes your first step towards professional chartered psychologist status.
The Uni
University of Manchester
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Psychology (non-specific)
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Others in psychology
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Psychology (non-specific)
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
20 years ago, this was a specialist degree for would-be psychologists but now it is the model of a modern, flexible degree subject. One of the UK's fastest-growing subject at degree level, and the second most popular subject overall (it recently overtook business studies), one in 23 of all graduates last year had psychology degrees. As you'd expect with figures like that, jobs in psychology itself are incredibly competitive, so to stand a chance of securing one, you need to get a postgraduate qualification (probably a doctorate in most fields, especially clinical psychology) and some relevant work experience. But even though there are so many psychology graduates — far more than there are jobs in psychology, and over 13,800 in total last year — this degree has a lower unemployment rate than average because its grads are so flexible and well-regarded by business and other industries across the economy. Everywhere there are good jobs in the UK economy, you'll find psychology graduates - and it's hardly surprising as the course helps you gain a mix of good people skills and excellent number and data handling skills. A psychology degree ticks most employers' boxes — but we'd suggest you don't drop your maths modules.
Others in psychology
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Psychology (non-specific)
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£26k
£27k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
Others in psychology
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£26k
£27k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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