Skip navigation
Brain and Cognitive Development at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
Apply

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

The MA/MSc Brain and Cognitive Development is designed to provide you with an understanding of how biological and social factors interact over the course of a child’s development. You will explore both typical and neurodivergent pathways and learn about key theories of cognitive development, as well as investigating current research in the field. Why choose this course?

  • Modules included on this course allow you to gain key knowledge and skills across all aspects of infant and child development, including in genetics, neurodiversity, neuroscience and global research.
  • It is closely linked to Birkbeck’s Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development. This world-class research centre, with its Babylab and world-first ToddlerLab, offers you a friendly and intellectually stimulating environment in which to carry out your dissertation.
  • It is ideal if you are a graduate from psychology or a related discipline and are seeking to deepen your understanding of cutting-edge contemporary research, or if you are an established practitioner or policymaker wishing to update and refresh your training.
What you will learn This Master's focuses on enabling you to reflect critically on existing knowledge. You will learn from experts in the field about cognition, neuroscience, neurodiversity and research across the globe. From here you can continue on to a PhD, work in education, progress in a SEND career, or work to support policy and child development around the world. For your dissertation you will also have the opportunity to design, run and analyse your own unique research project. How you will learn This MA/MSc Brain and Cognitive Development is offered as full- or part-time study with a daytime timetable with classes taking place in the daytime. You will learn via lectures and seminars led by researchers from all over the world. Highlights
  • As a student within the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, you will be able to attend weekly research talks, lab meetings and workshops. You will also have the opportunity to attend research seminars and to meet and network with world-class researchers, both in the school and at other leading research centres and institutes at Birkbeck and in the Bloomsbury area, and from around the world.
  • The course combines Birkbeck’s strengths in cognitive, biological, social and applied developmental research methods to provide you with an integrated understanding of child development.
  • In the 2023 National Student Survey, Birkbeck's School of Psychological Sciences ranked 5th in the UK for teaching.
  • We are consistently regarded as one of the top institutions teaching psychological sciences in the UK. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, and for the third time, we were ranked in the top ten universities in the UK.
  • ESRC funding may be available in conjunction with PhD study.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in psychology, health or social work, education and policy development. Possible professions may include:
  • psychologist
  • counsellor
  • researcher
  • further education lecturer
  • working with neurodiverse populations.
Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to progress their studies further at PhD level. They have also found employment in:
  • primary and secondary schools
  • NHS
  • charities focused on improving child development.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Five 2500-word coursework essays, presentations and one unseen examination. Advanced Quantitative Methods is assessed by statistics worksheets.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in psychology, cognitive science, education, behavioural sciences or relevant discipline. Relevant professional experience of childhood and development may also be considered. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this programme is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in each of the sub-tests and at least 7.0 in writing. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £12450 Year 1
Northern Ireland £12450 Year 1
Scotland £12450 Year 1
Wales £12450 Year 1
International £20340 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Brain and Cognitive Development at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS