How important is it that a Neuroscience degree is accredited?

Hey,

I have applied for Neuroscience for September 2015. I have noticed that some of the courses say they are accredited e.g. Manchester say they are accredited by the Society of Biology. Whereas some don't. Is it important that a course is accredited and how can I find out if a course is accredited?

I would really appreciate a reply,
Thank you :smile:

Reply 1

sydneybridge

Not much. It looks like self-serving number between this Society and some Universities designed to make them both look credible. https://www.societyofbiology.org/education/accreditation/degree-accreditation/what-accreditation-means-for-you/students

This entry for an MSc (postgrad) course at UCL suggests that NO accreditation is necessary for working in Neuroscience : http://www.icn.ucl.ac.uk/MSC-in-Cognitive-Neuroscience/Entry%20Criteria%20MSc%20Cognitive%20Neuroscience.pdf

Lesson : don't be fooled by words like 'accreditation' when its used as a form of marketing.

Reply 2

RachelLForsyth

I would recommend looking at this site for a good impartial view on what accreditation means. http://university.which.co.uk/advice/accredited-courses

The Society of Biology Advanced accreditation programme specifically highlights those degrees which meet defined sets of learning outcomes, and contain a substantial research placement. It provides employers an easy way to identify those graduates who have had to opportunity to develop their practical skills and knowledge, not to mention many other transferable skills that are in huge demand. For universities to acquire accreditation they must undergo a rigorous formal assessment, which includes a site visit by a panel of assessors who are leaders in their field, and can normally take months to achieve. Universities will of course market their accredited degrees to students as they are proud to have been successfully awarded this from the relevant professional body. You shouldn't be concerned about the quality of a course just because it isn't accredited - not all degree courses are, however in a crowded jobs market accredited degrees may help you stand out from the crowd.

Reply 3

alleycat393

Society of Biology accreditation just means that the degree meets the quality control requirements of the Society.

Reply 4

HollyW43

Original post by sydneybridge

Thanks a lot! That's really helpful :smile:

Reply 5

chazwomaq

Most psychology degrees are accredited by the British Psychological Society, including some neuroscience degrees. As well as checking that core elements of psychology are there, there are other requirements (a certain staff:student ratio etc.).

http://www.bps.org.uk/careers-education-training/accredited-courses-training-programmes/what-accreditation/what-accreditat

It's not just a marketing ploy. You cannot train for some postgrad degrees if your psych degree is not accredited. If you want to become a professional psychologist you need an accredited degree or you have to do an accredited Masters or diploma instead.

In pure neuroscience this may not be an issue, but if you want to move sideways into other areas of psychology, it may be.

Reply 6

chazwomaq

Original post by sydneybridge

This entry for an MSc (postgrad) course at UCL suggests that NO accreditation is necessary for working in Neuroscience : http://www.icn.ucl.ac.uk/MSC-in-Cognitive-Neuroscience/Entry%20Criteria%20MSc%20Cognitive%20Neuroscience.pdf

Isn't it saying that the course does not confer accreditation?

Reply 7

dingdongbat

Neuroscience and most biology-based subjects are NOT professions. There is no professional standards regulatory body (PSRB) that can prevent you from working in the industry, unlike engineering, medicine, dentistry, nursing, biomedical science (IBMS), etc. Universities set their standards as their conscience allows subject to a QAA subject benchmark (2007 for biosciences) that rather broadly says what you should have. Society of Biology runs its own accreditation (i.e. quality control) scheme for degrees. Graduating from an SoB-accredited course is just that, it meets their standard of what they think reasonable, which may be a reason for you to agree too. Two SoB-accredited courses may have significantly varying content. Employers don't usually pay all that much attention to it - the reputation of the institution itself has more weight. The SoB also have professional titles that are legally controlled (e.g. Chartered Scientist/Biologist/etc). You can only use those if they certify that you meet their standards. However, they are not a legal requirement to work as biologists of any kind so most don't bother.

Reply 8

sydneybridge

Good informative advice above folks.

So, essentially ........ forget about 'accreditation' (its an elaborate form of marketing, and will mean nothing in terms of eventual Neuro employment), and instead concentrate on reading the detailed course descriptions, including all the optional modules for all years of the course, and choose the course that interests you the most. This is what will get you a good class of degree and that is the important thing that will actually make a difference to where/how you end up working. And of course, being enthused by what you are studying ever day will also make Uni more FUN!

Reply 9

chazwomaq

Original post by sydneybridge

Good informative advice above folks.

So, essentially ........ forget about 'accreditation' (its an elaborate form of marketing, and will mean nothing in terms of eventual Neuro employment),

No!

In some neuro jobs you will need an accredited degree. For example, if you want to become a clinical psychologist you will need a doctorate in clinical psychology. Many (most?) of these programs require graduate basis for chartership of the BPS, which requires a BPS accredited degree.

and instead concentrate on reading the detailed course descriptions, including all the optional modules for all years of the course, and choose the course that interests you the most. This is what will get you a good class of degree and that is the important thing that will actually make a difference to where/how you end up working. And of course, being enthused by what you are studying ever day will also make Uni more FUN!

But do all this too :smile:

Reply 10

sydneybridge

We are talking first degrees in Neuro (specifically) here.

Yes, to work in Psych you DO need accredited quals. But that isnt what was being asked is it.