About the course
The MSc by Research in Clinical Neurosciences at University of Oxford offers excellent opportunities for high quality research training, for both clinical and non-clinical graduates, in wide-ranging leading areas of clinical neuroscience.
As an MSc student in NDCN you will be a part of one of the leading and largest clinical neuroscience departments in Europe. The MSc by research in Clinical Neurosciences will develop your skills through a range of research and practical training.
NDCN incorporates six divisions each of which hosts world-leading programmes in basic, translational and clinical research.
- Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia
- Division of Clinical Neurology
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit
- Nuffield Division of Anaesthetics
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging
You will be admitted directly to a particular research area (https://www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/research) and you will work alongside your supervisors to develop your programme of study which is normally part of a larger research group with shared interests. You will not normally do laboratory rotations.
There are no taught courses examined by written papers but there is a wide range of courses and workshops available across the Medical Sciences Division and you will be encouraged to attend regular departmental and divisional seminars
The MSc by Research in Clinical Neurosciences is normally a two year course, though if you have an appropriate background in research, you may complete it in one year.
Part-time study
It is possible to study for this course on a part-time basis. Completing this course on a part-time basis normally requires between two and six years of study, compared with the full-time master’s course which takes between one and three years to complete.
Supervision
The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
In the case of students who require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to a new range of skills, the supervisor will work with them to ensure that they have additional support.
Assessment
You will begin your course as a probationary research student (PRS) and you will be monitored and assessed regularly via completion of termly reports by you and your supervisors through the Graduate Supervision Reporting (GSR) system.
You will be expected to transfer your status from PRS to MSc before the end of your first year. To transfer your status, you must apply formally, submit a research report and statement of future research plans, and take an independent assessment by two assessors
The degree is examined by thesis and oral examination by two examiners. Most MSc by Research students submit their thesis within two years.
Graduate destinations
According to the latest statistics available, 86% of graduate research alumni from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences are employed across a wide range of sectors with the remaining 14% going on to further study.
Past students from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences have gone on to careers based both in the UK and other countries in teaching and research in universities or back to clinical posts.
Changes to this course and your supervision
The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic (including Covid-19), epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.
Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.
For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.
Course Website
( https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/msc-research-clinical-neurosciences?wssl=1 )
