Not got the right subjects to do Neuroscience

Advice needed! I really want to do neuroscience at university, however i flopped my GCSES (getting 5s in both science and maths) unfortunately this meant i couldn’t do biology at a level. I’ve now applied to do pure psychology as i don’t have 2 science subjects, hoping they’ll be overlaps in the degree with neuroscience but I’m worried I’m making a big mistake! What can i do to try get onto neuroscience at Uni? I want to go to a good Uni and have 5 offers from RG unis to do psych, so i don’t really want to drop that to do foundation year neuroscience at a lower ranking university. Is my life over??? What should i do?

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by Bella199tyde

I really want to do neuroscience at university
...
i don’t really want to drop that to do foundation year neuroscience at a lower ranking university.

Is doing Neuroscience with a Foundation Year at a lower-ranked uni an option, in terms of the subjects and predicted grades you have? If so, then why did you not apply? Is the appeal of a Russell Group uni greater than the appeal of Neuroscience?

Original post by Bella199tyde

Advice needed! I really want to do neuroscience at university, however i flopped my GCSES (getting 5s in both science and maths) unfortunately this meant i couldn’t do biology at a level. I’ve now applied to do pure psychology as i don’t have 2 science subjects, hoping they’ll be overlaps in the degree with neuroscience but I’m worried I’m making a big mistake! What can i do to try get onto neuroscience at Uni? I want to go to a good Uni and have 5 offers from RG unis to do psych, so i don’t really want to drop that to do foundation year neuroscience at a lower ranking university. Is my life over??? What should i do?

@Bella199tyde
If you wanted to do neuroscience, speak to the University admissions tutor to see if there are any local Access to HE courses, probably called something like Health Science which match up with the entry criteria.

Access to Health Science is a 1 year program, made up of three modules, typically things like Chemistry, Physics, Biology, or Health Science depending on what you want to do at uni. If you have used your level 3 entitlement you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan which is completely written off when you complete your degree (a unique selling point for access). Most Access programs will let you on with GCSE's in English and Maths, you may require science too though like you do for Midwifery, so check with the admissions tutor first.

I did an MSc in Psychology, there is some stuff in neuroscience in standard psychology degree's and master's programs, but not a lot

Access programs are also cheaper than Foundation Years - bargain!

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

Reply 3

Bella199tyde

OP

3

Original post by DataVenia

Is doing Neuroscience with a Foundation Year at a lower-ranked uni an option, in terms of the subjects and predicted grades you have? If so, then why did you not apply? Is the appeal of a Russell Group uni greater than the appeal of Neuroscience?

Foundation year isn’t really an option, as it’s more time and money. I think it would be silly to turn down studying at top universities for a degree which is similar compared to a low ranked Uni which may lower my job prospects.

Reply 4

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by Bella199tyde

Foundation year isn’t really an option, as it’s more time and money. I think it would be silly to turn down studying at top universities for a degree which is similar compared to a low ranked Uni which may lower my job prospects.

OK. Perfect. Decision made. Psychology it is. :smile:

Note that there's a slim change of being able to do an Msc in Neuroscience after your Psychology undergraduate degree. If you take a look at the entry requirements for Msc in Neuroscience you see clues that it might be possible.

• Neuroscience MSc at the University of Manchester: "We are generally unable to consider applicants with an undergraduate degree in psychology due to the lab skills required for this course." ... "If your undergraduate degree is in medicine, pharmacy or psychology, please contact us prior to making an application, providing details of your biology related lab skills and experience." (The emphasis on "generally" is mine.)

• Neuroscience MSc at King's College London: "The normal minimum entry requirements are an undergraduate degree with 2:1 honours in a biological discipline; or a a medical degree (MBBS or international equivalent). Applicants with a non-biological degree or with a lower class may be considered."

• Neuroscience MSc at University of Exeter: "Students with 2:1 or 1st class honours degrees in related science subjects such as psychology, sports science, physics, chemistry, natural sciences, mathematics, or statistics may be admitted at the discretion of the programme director. A personal statement, detailing your reasons for seeking to undertake this subject, will be required."

Reply 5

Bella199tyde

OP

3

Original post by DataVenia

OK. Perfect. Decision made. Psychology it is. :smile:

Note that there's a slim change of being able to do an Msc in Neuroscience after your Psychology undergraduate degree. If you take a look at the entry requirements for Msc in Neuroscience you see clues that it might be possible.
• Neuroscience MSc at the University of Manchester: "We are generally unable to consider applicants with an undergraduate degree in psychology due to the lab skills required for this course." ... "If your undergraduate degree is in medicine, pharmacy or psychology, please contact us prior to making an application, providing details of your biology related lab skills and experience." (The emphasis on "generally" is mine.)
• Neuroscience MSc at King's College London: "The normal minimum entry requirements are an undergraduate degree with 2:1 honours in a biological discipline; or a a medical degree (MBBS or international equivalent). Applicants with a non-biological degree or with a lower class may be considered."
• Neuroscience MSc at University of Exeter: "Students with 2:1 or 1st class honours degrees in related science subjects such as psychology, sports science, physics, chemistry, natural sciences, mathematics, or statistics may be admitted at the discretion of the programme director. A personal statement, detailing your reasons for seeking to undertake this subject, will be required."

Thankyou for those entry requirements! Would these entry requirements still apply if i was doing psychology and cognitive neuroscience?

Reply 6

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by Bella199tyde

Thankyou for those entry requirements! Would these entry requirements still apply if i was doing psychology and cognitive neuroscience?

With Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience as your undergraduate degree, you're more likely to be accepted onto a Neuroscience MSc. However, as with a pure Psychology degree, you probably won't automatically be eligible (assuming you have a 2:1, which is likely to be the requirement in most places) and will have to "persuade" them that you're a good fit.

Not got the right subjects to do Neuroscience

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