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Undergraduate Study

BSc Neuroscience

UCAS code B140
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2024
Campus

Streatham/St Luke's

Discipline Neuroscience
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 725500

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A levels: ABB
IB:32/655 
BTEC: DDM

Contextual offers

A-Level: ABC
IB: 28
BTEC: DMM 

with Professional Training Year:
A-Level: ABC
IB: 30
BTEC: DDM

Overview

  • Explore neuroscience in the context of both normal physiology and disease
  • Boost your employability with an optional Professional Training Year in the UK or abroad and gain valuable experience working as part of a leading research team
  • Develop your critical-thinking by working in small groups with expert facilitators
  • Gain in-demand transferrable skills in statistical methods, analysis, and effective communication across a range of media
  • Take an active part in scientific discovery within our world-renowned research community, working with researchers on current research

Small group learning

independent learning, teamwork, collaboration and communication

Professional Training Year in the UK or abroad

open to all students

Research-inspired teaching

part of our research community from day one

Interdisciplinary learning

Neuroscience, Medical Sciences and Biosciences

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level ABB

AAB (with Professional Training Year)
At least one grade A and one grade B in two GCE AL science subjects.
GCE AL/AS science includes: Biology/Human Biology*; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Electronics; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths*; Life and Health Sciences; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Statistics.
*If more than one of these is taken they would only count as one ‘science’.
IB 32/655

34/665 (with Professional Training Year)
At least one HL6 and one HL5 in two IB science subjects.
BTEC DDM

DDD (with Professional Training Year)
Applicants studying a BTEC Extended Diploma will also require one grade A and one grade B in two GCE AL science subjects.
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 24 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade.

30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade (with Professional Training Year)
15 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 12 L3 Credits at Merit Grade in two science subjects




15 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 12 L3 Credits at Merit Grade in two science subjects (with Professional Training Year)
Contextual Offer

A-Level: ABC
IB: 28
BTEC: DMM 

with Professional Training Year:
A-Level: ABC
IB: 30
BTEC: DDM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other UK, EU and International equivalences

View UK, EU and International equivalences

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

Helping you to apply

Will there be an interview?

No – we don’t interview for this programme.

What happens next?

If you receive an offer from us, you’ll be invited to an offer-holder visit day where you can find out more about the programme from our current students and meet the academics who will be teaching you.

Course content

Our BSc in Neuroscience has been carefully designed to help you understand the human body and the world around us, using the latest ideas about biological processes in nervous tissues.

Understanding these processes better could transform healthcare and illuminate what it means to be human. To do this, we use small-group teaching throughout the course to help you develop your subject knowledge and capacity for critical thinking.

You’ll be given an introduction to neuroscience in your first year, including the practical and theoretical grounding needed to appreciate contemporary neuroscience research in context. You’ll then be able specialise your degree to your career ambitions in the following years.

If you choose the Professional Training Year for this course, it will take place between your second and third (final) year.

Underpinning this is our commitment to research-engaged teaching. Alongside formal teaching sessions, we encourage you to take an active part in the process of scientific discovery within in our interdisciplinary community. Right from the start of your degree you’ll have the opportunity to do your own hands-on research.

Course variants

UCAS code: B141

You can choose to, and we actively support and encourage you to, undertake a Professional Training Year (PTY). The PTY provides you with an excellent opportunity to gain invaluable experience of working as part of a leading research team. This gives you the chance to discover what it is like to work in a real research environment or a health intervention setting and will enhance your career prospects. You will contribute to a medical or health related project, and may have the opportunity to attend a national or international science conference to present your research data, or co-author a research paper.

If you choose a PTY, it will take place after your second year of study, and your degree will take four years to complete.

Why choose a Professional Training Year?

Undertaking a PTY placement will enhance your professionalism, independence and confidence; increase your subject knowledge and research skills; improve your problem-solving, team-working, leadership, communication and project management skills; and prepare you for working in a professional work environment.

How is the PTY organised?

You apply for a PTY during your second year of study and are supported to apply for positions with guidance from our staff. During your PTY you are closely support by both your workplace supervisor and visiting PTY tutor.

How do I apply?

You can apply directly to one of these options using the UCAS codes below, or you can apply to the standard BSc Neuroscience course and transfer onto the PTY option at the end of your first year.

Option UCAS Code
BSc Neuroscience (standard course) B140
BSc Neuroscience with Professional Training Year  B141

How does it affect my tuition fee?

If, as part of your four-year degree programme, you spend a full academic year studying or working abroad you will pay a reduced fee of £1,350 (or 15 per cent of the maximum fee for that year). If you spend a full year on a work placement (in the UK) you will pay a reduced fee of £1,800 (or 20 per cent of the maximum fee).

Fees

Tuition fees for 2024 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £29,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

Throughout the programme, you benefit from a careful blend of innovative and traditional teaching methods. A variety of stimulating, cutting-edge resources are also available to support your learning.

Structured small group learning sessions

In tutor-led groups of 8-12 students you will investigate key scientific concepts and systems presented in the form of triggers. The style of trigger varies week by week but will include patient-based clinical case studies, current media-worthy medical science breakthroughs and extracts from research papers.

Life Sciences Resource Centre activities

You’ll be supported in your exploration of the human biomedical science that is presented in your small group sessions by the rich variety of state-of-the-art resources available in the Life Sciences Resource Centre. These resources include anatomical models, multimedia and IT resources, and a well-stocked library. Tutor-led activities will drive your engagement with selected resources in order to increase your understanding of the small group triggers.

Lectures and seminars

Large group lectures and cutting-edge research seminars delivered by academics as well as external speakers will complement your studies. Lectures may contain students from a variety of different programmes for which the lecture content is relevant.

Practical laboratory sessions

You will develop your laboratory skills in the biosciences teaching laboratory on the Streatham Campus and the new teaching lab at the St Luke’s campus, which are equipped with instruments for observational, experimental and numerical aspects of biosciences including a range of biochemical, molecular, physiological and electronic apparatus.

Online learning

Your learning will be supported by the University’s virtual learning environment. You will have individual access to electronic journals, content-rich study guides, and interactive online learning materials covering various science disciplines, formative online assessments and group discussion forums.

Assessment

Regular assessment is used to help provide you with frequent feedback, enabling you to identify your strengths, as well as areas for improvement. Feedback is provided in a number of different ways including online written feedback and self, peer, tutor or small group feedback. Assessment formats include multiple-choice tests, essays, structured practical exams, reflective essays, oral and poster presentations, scientific report writing, short-answer question tests and independent project work.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Law
  • Social Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Leadership

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

This course prioritises your development of the range of skills needed for scientific research. Critical thinking forms the core of this, with a focus on helping you to communicate effectively across a range of media. You’ll expand your numeracy and knowledge of statistical methods, with the option to specialise further in mathematics and computation.

A clear focus on these skills means that our Neuroscience course will prepare you for employment in a wide variety of careers, including:

  • Postgraduate study: MSc or PhD
  • NHS-entry: Scientist Training Programme (STP), or Graduate Management Training Scheme (GMTS)
  • Industry: Research and Development; Clinical Trials; Sales and Marketing
  • Scientific Officer or Public, Private or Third Sector
  • Graduate entry to Medicine or Dentistry

"The course at Exeter stood out for me as I liked the idea of studying modules that explored human physiology and its relation to the nervous system. After visiting Exeter on one of their open days, I was sure that this is where I wanted to spend my 3 years. The size of the city is well-suited for student living and the quality of both the teaching and their research was something that inspired me. 

After my degree, I am looking to study Medicine, as the experience I have gained from the Neuroscience course has furthered my interest in both science and healthcare.”

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