The Dementia: from Neuroscience to Clinical Practice MSc, offered by the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, tackles one of the biggest global health problems facing society today. It provides research-oriented and cutting-edge training in the study of dementia and its scientific basis, delivered by international leaders in the science and practice of dementia.
Entry requirements
A degree in medicine or a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university of an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in psychology, biological sciences, biology, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, anatomy and physiology. Graduates from other scientific disciplines will be considered on an individual basis.
Who this course is for
This course is ideally suited to lab scientists who want to appreciate the clinical and human resonance of neurodegenerative diseases and current concepts and challenges in their diagnosis and management; and equally suited to psychologists and clinicians who want to explore the neurobiological foundations of dementia practice and cutting-edge research. A major mission of the course is to inspire dialogue and understanding between the many disciplines that are shaping the future of dementia research and treatment.
What this course will give you
This programme is unique in linking neuroscientific foundations with specialist clinical skills and knowledge in dementia.
The programme integrates the expertise of UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology with affiliated departments at the forefront of the global mission to defeat dementia, and is taught by international leaders working closely together to link bench and bedside as part of UCL’s Dementia Strategy.
The programme builds on UCL’s global perspective, targeting students in developing as well as developed countries to drive future training opportunities. The programme emphasises active student participation and enquiry, develops practical skills, and offers unparalleled exposure to laboratories and patient-based teaching.
The foundation of your career
This unique programme will equip graduates with in-depth knowledge of dementia diseases and their treatments; strong, practical research skills that could facilitate doctoral or postdoctoral research in the field; and transferable scientific communication skills. This experience could support further doctoral studies and applications for fellowships.
100% of our students are either in work or undertaking further study 15 months after graduating from this programme (based on the latest Graduate Outcomes survey 2021-22).
Employability
For scientists and psychologists, the programme can lead to future placements in clinically oriented research environments or clinical training. For clinicians, this is an excellent opportunity to gain a higher qualification at a world-leading centre of excellence in neurodegeneration research, which could be tailored to a variety of future roles in clinical, research and management fields. Many students have gone on to pursue PhDs and research careers in the fields of dementia and neurodegeneration.
Networking
The Queen Square Institute of Neurology is home to some of the world’s most influential academics. By studying with us, students will have the opportunity to be part of the next generation of experts in neuroscience. We are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers and offer a wealth of scientific and clinical expertise, from laboratory benches through to patient care.
Many of our lecturers are also NHS consultants working at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery which is a leading centre for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with a wide range of neurological conditions.
Alumni networking events are provided for current and former students to discuss their experiences and career options after completing their degree. Students also take part in a research project symposium to share their work with peers and early career researchers from UCL, and some students may be able to present their work at local or international conferences depending upon the research project chosen.
Teaching and learning
This programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, journal clubs, and patient-based teaching sessions supplemented by self-directed learning. Students are encouraged to actively contribute to teaching sessions and learn through enquiry. The research project provides students with an authentic research experience to develop their scientific planning, reporting and critical analysis skills as well as project-specific practical skills. This programme uniquely provides extracurricular opportunities for students to develop a range of communication skills during journal club discussions, project symposium oral presentations and discussions with people with lived experience of a rare dementia.
Assessment is through ongoing formative assessments (for example interactive discussions and presentations), timetabled summative assessments (including unseen short-answer examinations, multiple choice question (MCQ) examinations, essays, and presentations) as well as a 10,000 word written research project dissertation.
For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week in terms one and two. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
In term three and the summer period, students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.
Modules
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
- Clinical Module 2: Neurology & Neuroimaging I – Stroke, Inflammation & Infection
- Physical Science Module 3: Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques
- Physical Sciences Module 2 – Neuroimaging Modalities
- Clinical Module 4: Neurology & Neuroimaging III – Neurodegeneration, Demyelination & Neuromuscular Disease
- Motor Systems and Disease
- Basic Neuroscience
- Neurorehabilitation
- Neurobiology of Degeneration and Repair
- Advances in Neurogenetics
- Neuroscience of Mental Health
- Practical Statistics for Mental Health Research
- Advanced Treatment and Management of Dementia
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a in Dementia: from Neuroscience to Clinical Practice.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.
Course Website
( https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/dementia-neuroscience-clinical-practice-msc )
