Educational Neuroscience MA

Birkbeck, University of London

Our MA/MSc Educational Neuroscience enables you to explore knowledge of how the brain works to support teaching practice. It is a joint Birkbeck-UCL Institute of Education course linked to the Centre for Educational Neuroscience which will provide you with experience of in-depth theory and hands-on research in the emerging area of educational neuroscience. Why choose this course? The course is taught by members of the Centre for Educational Neuroscience, one of the leading research centres in educational neuroscience in the world. It offers you a joint award from the UCL Institute of Education and Birkbeck and you will attend classes at both campuses. It gives you the opportunity to interact with world-class researchers in developmental cognitive neuroscience, genetics, neuroimaging, education and cognitive development and learning, and attend research seminars organised by Birkbeck, the UCL Institute of Education and a number of other world-leading local research centres and institutes. What you will learn Educational neuroscience seeks to translate recent insights into the neural mechanisms of learning into classroom practice. It argues that a better understanding of how the brain works can help both teachers and students. On this course you will develop subject-specific IT skills and learn how to manage and report on an extended research project. You will also gain: a critical appreciation of existing research and research methods, including neuroimaging methods knowledge of the biological basis of learning and development in children and its implications for the classroom knowledge of the relation between genes, brain and cognitive development. We offer different module combinations to give you the choice of studying for an MA or MSc. MA Educational Neuroscience: The MA is ideal for teachers, educational psychologists and policymakers who wish to develop an in-depth understanding of contemporary education and neuroscience that can inform their continuing practice. MSc Educational Neuroscience: If you would like to carry out research in the emerging area of educational neuroscience or any area of developmental psychology, education or developmental cognitive neuroscience, either at PhD level or in the private sector, then the MSc will prepare you with a range of appropriate research skills and practical experience. How you will learn You can study this course either full- or part-time. Classes take place throughout the daytime and evening. It is taught across the two adjacent sites of Birkbeck and the UCL Institute of Education. You will learn through lectures, seminars, discussion groups, laboratory classes and independent study. Depending on your independent research project, you may also gain experience in a range of behavioural testing and neuroimaging methods.