Our one-year Master’s in Brain Health and Disease: Clinical Neurosciences offers an exceptional opportunity for students to engage with the forefront of clinical neuroscience through a combination of taught modules and immersive research experience.
Delivered by the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, the course provides a rigorous and comprehensive overview of contemporary research into brain health and neurological disorders.
Students receive specialised training in the scientific foundations of modern clinical neuroscience, supported by interactive seminars, journal clubs, and networking events with leading experts in the field.
The Master's in Brain Health and Disease: Clinical Neuroscience is particularly suited to motivated, research-oriented individuals considering progression to medical school, doctoral studies, or careers in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries; or intercalating from medical school.
A distinctive feature of the programme is a 32-week research placement in a Cambridge laboratory, where students design and lead their own research project. This hands-on experience fosters independence, deepens scientific understanding, and contributes meaningfully to cutting-edge research in neuroscience.
Students benefit from access to a vibrant academic community and a broad spectrum of expertise, equipping them to play a pivotal role in advancing brain health research.
Further details on the course are available here and are regularly updated throughout the application year.
Programme Timetable
Commencing in early October, the course's intensive ten-month programme integrates foundational knowledge with practical research experience. Early-term teaching is emphasised to support and inform the independent research project that follows.
The curriculum offers a distinctive focus on neurological and neuro-oncological diseases, highlighting the clinical application of neuroscience in understanding and treating disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and various forms of dementia.
The course bridges cellular, molecular, and systems-level neuroscience with clinical perspectives, providing a holistic understanding of brain health and disease.
During the first term, students undertake ten taught modules covering a wide range of topics, including: Neuroanatomy, Neuroimaging, Molecular neuroimaging, Neurochemistry, Neurophysiology, Neurocognition, Neurodegeneration, Neuroinflammation, Neurogenetics, Neuroimmunology, Neuroprotection and Research Methods (including bioinformatics).
Teaching is delivered through a combination of classroom and online sessions, complemented by journal clubs that foster critical thinking and presentation skills. Students also benefit from a vibrant seminar series featuring talks by graduate researchers and international experts in clinical neurosciences.
The initial few weeks of the course are dedicated to exploring potential research projects. Once the research phase begins, students are fully embedded within the laboratory of their chosen supervisor. They receive continuous training and research support tailored to the needs of both the student and the project.
Students participate in research group meetings and have regular sessions with their project supervisor and other lab members involved in the project. This immersive research experience is designed to cultivate independence and deepen scientific expertise, preparing students for doctoral research and future careers in medicine or industry.
Assessment Overview
The Master’s in Brain Health and Disease: Clinical Neurosciences uses a diverse range of assessment methods to reflect the breadth of learning and skills developed throughout the course. These include:
- a multiple-choice examination covering the ten taught modules;
- a written essay focused on a selected topic from the taught curriculum;
- an oral presentation to assess communication and synthesis of scientific ideas;
- a poster presentation showcasing research findings in a visual format;
- and a research project dissertation, comprising a literature review, methodology, results, data analysis, and discussion.
This multi-modal approach ensures that students are assessed not only on their academic knowledge, but also on their ability to communicate, analyse, and apply neuroscience concepts in a research context.
Programme Objectives
1. Develop Comprehensive Knowledge: Provide students with a broad and integrated understanding of neurological and neuro-oncological disorders, including the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system.
2. Advance Research Skills: Equip students with the expertise to engage in cutting-edge research, including the development of innovative therapeutic strategies and the exploration of the neural mechanisms underlying brain disorders.
3. Build Research Competence: Foster the ability to design, conduct, and critically evaluate scientific research, promoting evidence-based practice and innovation in neuroscience.
4. Encourage Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Promote teamwork across neuroscientific and medical disciplines to support holistic approaches to patient care and research.
5. Promote Ethical and Professional Practice: Instil a strong foundation in research ethics and professionalism, preparing students to navigate the complexities of clinical and laboratory environments with integrity.
6. Provide Transferable Research Training: Enable students to acquire versatile skills in research design, data analysis, critical appraisal, scientific communication, and collaborative working within research settings.
Postgraduate Training in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences
As a student on the Master’s in Brain Health and Disease: Clinical Neurosciences you will join a diverse and dynamic group of over 150 postgraduate students.
You’ll be part of a collaborative, intellectually stimulating environment where ideas are shared and innovation is encouraged. We are committed to developing the next generation of neuroscience leaders. Our students receive personalised supervision, hands-on research training, and opportunities to present their work and engage with global experts.
Located within Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH), our department is uniquely positioned to bridge laboratory research with clinical practice. Our research questions often arise directly from patient care, ensuring relevance and real-world impact.
Students have access to cutting-edge research infrastructure, including advanced imaging, molecular biology labs, and large-scale data resources.
Whether you’re preparing for medical school, a PhD, a career in industry, or intercalating as part of your medical course, our Master’s programme provides the skills, experience, and network to help you succeed.
How to Apply
Application deadlines for October 2026 start:
- The application window opens on: 3 September 2025.
- US candidates (to be considered for Gates Scholarship): 15 October 2025.
- All other candidates (to be considered for funded places): 2 December 2025 – we strongly encourage all applications to put in for this date.
- If spaces are still available after the 2 December deadline, we’ll be happy to consider late applications until 1 May 2026. We encourage you to apply as early as possible, but if you need a bit more time, there may still be an opportunity to join us.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants from the UK should hold at least a Good II.i Honours Degree (Upper Second Class) or equivalent. If your degree was awarded outside the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.
The Department of Clinical Neurosciences welcomes applications from candidates with diverse academic backgrounds—not only those with prior training in neuroscience. We encourage applicants who are passionate about brain health and clinical research, regardless of their undergraduate discipline.
Read more about postgraduate study at Cambridge, and see Applicant Portal for further guidance on applying to Cambridge.
Application link
Apply for our taught MPhil in Brain Health and Disease: Clinical Neurosciences
Key Funding Links
University of Cambridge guidance on finding postgraduate funding
Cambridge UK Masters Scholarships
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships (requires external application)
Funded Places and Bursaries
All applicants who are offered a place will automatically be considered for funding through University and College schemes—no extra steps needed. We also know that some students apply for scholarships in their home countries. Commonwealth applicants can additionally apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships.
Events and Open Days
Please visit the University’s Postgraduate Study Events and Open Days webpages for information about the virtual open days taking place in November 2025, as well as other events.
Any Questions?
MPhil in Brain Health & Disease: Clinical Neurosciences Email: cneuro_brainhealth@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Further Help
Academic Division Student Registry
