5 Top UK Universities for Neuroscience Study

Neurosciences (Neural Science) studies the nervous system – its structure, how it develops and what it does. It’s connected to various branches of medical sciences like health, psychology and neurology as well as linguistics, chemistry, artificial intelligence and even mathematics and engineering. They together demonstrate the impact on behaviour and cognitive functions. The applications are wider today; the field even wider.

If just reading this made you yawn, it’s quite clear that this isn’t for you. But if the idea of studying the cellular, functional and evolutionary aspects of the nervous system makes yours tinkle – here are 7 top Universities in the UK to study Neurosciences ranked by an independent metric-based ranking, Edurank.

#2 University College London

Ranking as #2 in the world ranking, University College London (UCL) stands proud since 1826. Good University Guide 2024 published by The Timestoo has remarked UCL as the University of the Year. The central in England has its branches spread out to Qatar and Australia with exchange and research agreements with partnered universities worldwide. UCL has 11 academic divisions ranging from art and humanities to education, law and science among others. Affiliated with several hospitals and medical centres like University College Hospital and the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, it educates students on brain sciences, life and medical sciences and population health sciences.

Their neuroscience course has a unique and enriching educational experience for students making it a popular choice. Furthermore, it is the home to Europe’s largest Neuroscience Research Community. Supported by 450 Principal Investigators and 1,500 Neuroscientists, it hosts an environment to learn and discover. From genetics and the cellular bases of the brain function, the curriculum covers the complex neural circuits and behaviour. A UCL professor, William Ramsay, also won the Novel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery of noble gases. The university has world-class research facilities in various domains. Some of these are focused on neuroscience, personalized medicine, populations and lifelong health, the environment and eResearch. With over 400,000 scientific papers published, they have received 14 million citations.

#15 University of Oxford

The foundation of Oxford University goes bank beyond 1096 anybody’s knowledge. Its central university with 38 colleges once housed some of the history’s great minds like Albert Einstein, Keith Rupert Murdoch, Anthony Eden and Oscar Wilde with 9 out of 19 Prime Ministers Britain had in the 20th century. The tuition fees, as a matter of fact, are higher than other non-European colleges. To provide financial aid, the university has over 900 scholarships available. The academia is classified into 4 divisions – humanities; mathematical, physical and life sciences; medical sciences; and social sciences. More than half of the graduate students in Oxford conduct research as a part of their studies.

Students at Oxford benefit from an integrated approach within the 100 options in the neuroscience community with hands-on experience through extensive research projects. The emphasis on laboratory rotations and research projects is the basis of their foundation. They have over 340,000 papers published from numerous departments with over 13 million citations. With their world-class facilities coupled with tailored guidance, guest lectures and one-to-one learning, students have an exceptional ground to evolve.

#18 University of Cambridge

Tracing back to the 1200s, the University of Cambridge holds its fort for around 19,000 students. Cambridge has 31 residential colleges with six schools, dozens of academic departments and other divisions. Some of them are women only. Actively receiving grants to grow, their 140 centres and institutes contribute to different areas of research, such as the Centre of African Studies, the Cambridge Centre for Economic and Public Policy and the Institute of Theoretical Geophysics.

There is a historical significance to the advanced research of Neurosciences in Cambridge. Their pioneering work on neural signalling began in the 1930s. Today, it is a leading multi-disciplinary research facility. The university has significantly gained groundbreaking discoveries in neuronal firing mechanisms and neural circuitry theories. Students can engage in the broader implications of neural functions by understanding molecular and cellular neuroscience. During their academic years, they engage in the research of synaptic transmission, sensory stimulus transduction, and the intricacies of neural circuits. Studying MPhil in Basic and Translational Science at Oxford University could cost you about £54,151.

#27 King’s College London

Unique modern and multi-disciplinary. King’s College London not only ranks #27 in the world but also #4 in the UK for its neuroscience study. With a comprehensive coverage from cell and molecular biology to neuroanatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, and its intersections with psychology and philosophy, they have world-class research facilities that have published over 180,000 scientific papers. Students are handed exclusive access to an unparalleled experience to develop their skills and make a difference.

King’s offers enquiry-driven research with transformative insights to advance and accelerate global progress. Their graduation program has an advantaged common year one curriculum that helps students make an informed choice when choosing their specialisation. Derivative collaborations and interest groups coupled with cutting-edge research, the faculties at King’s exhibit successful careers for aspiring neuroscientists. It is also one of the largest medical and professional healthcare education centres across Europe.

#61 University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, has five campuses in Scotland with 20 schools in 3 colleges – arts, humanities and social science; medicine and veterinary medicine; and science and engineering. The Centre on Constitutional Change, the MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine and the UK Centre for Astrobiology are some of the research centres and institutes linked with the university. The first cloning of a mammal from an adult somatic cell was witnessed inside the Roslin Institute on these very premises.

The neuroscience program in Edinburgh is structured into a flexible educational pathway to advancement backed by state-of-the-art facilities. Students gain a broader understanding and the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to the field. At Edinburgh, they establish and strengthen research to find better there[ies to improve mankind’s lives. As a result, they have published 198,429 scientific papers leading to 6,207,549 citations.

Make the Right Pick

There is a huge market potential in the neuroscience science sector. Neuroscientists earn £52,000 to £68,000 per month, usually in higher study institutes, research centres and laboratories, and industrial roles. Research assistants earn between £24,000 and £37,500 while the researchers (postdoctoral) could earn between £32,000 and £47,500.

Universities have specific application criteria but undergrad students typically require 112–168 UCAS points. Students with 2:1 honours in a biological discipline or a medical degree for post-grad are preferred but ones with lower class/degree may apply too. Once selected, you can start with your visa process.

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