Neuroscience BSc (Hons) Level: Undergraduate Subject: Biomedical Sciences Year of entry: 2026 Key facts UCAS Code B140 Award BSc (Hons) Duration of study 4 years Delivery Full-time Study location Multiple campuses Start date September 2026 School Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences College College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Study abroad Available Placement No Open days and events Overview About the degree programme Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, how the brain works, and how cells interact to control behaviour. Research in neuroscience tries to better understand the structure of the nervous system, exploring how it works, develops, malfunctions, and can be manipulated.Through the study of Neuroscience, we aim to develop more effective treatment of diseases such as:strokeneurodegenerative diseasemental illnesscancertoxicitytrauma How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 4 years.A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.How long it takes to complete our degree programmes Programme benefits You will join an interdisciplinary programme that provides the knowledge, skills, and personal and professional development appropriate for globally competitive graduates of our key disciplines.You will have the opportunity to undertake projects with our leading biomedical researchers addressing major global biomedical challenges. Entry requirements Find your entry requirementsUse the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.Select the qualification you are studying or studied. Where you are studying or where you studied United KingdomAfghanistanAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBhutanBoliviaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanYemenZambiaZimbabweMy country is not listed Qualification - Select a qualification -SQA Highers: standard requirementsSQA Highers: widening access requirementsA levels: standard requirementsA levels: widening access requirementsIB: standard requirementsIB: widening access requirementsOther UK qualificationsMature applicants (including adult returners)International qualifications by country United Kingdom, Fees and funding Tuition fees for BSc (Hons) Neuroscience View the tuition fees for one academic year of BSc (Hons) Neuroscience. Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.This estimate covers the costs of:accommodationfoodutility billstravel within Edinburghhealth and wellbeing costsSee a breakdown of living costs Scholarships and funding Funding information You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section. Funding Programme details What you will study Our Biomedical Sciences programmes have a common structure in Years 1 and 2. This provides a firm grounding in the knowledge, understanding and skills needed for all of our specialist subject areas. We introduce you to Neuroscience in your compulsory courses in Years 1 and 2.In Years 3 and 4, you will focus on exploring your chosen subject area in-depth. You will have the opportunity to move between honours subject areas at the end of Years 2 and 3. Year 1 The main area you will study in Year 1 is the importance of biomedical sciences to medicine and health. You will learn how biomedical science discoveries and breakthroughs have led to medical and scientific advancement.You will take three compulsory courses covering:biomedical sciencesmedical biologymolecular and cellular biologyYou will also choose courses from a range of biomedical and non-biomedical options. We expect you to take at least one course in biological chemistry. Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 2 In Year 2, your studies will focus on the foundational understanding of biomedical sciences. This includes essential learning in biomedical disciplines.You will take three compulsory courses:Biomedical Sciences 2Microorganisms, Infection & Immunity 2Cells to Organisms 2You will also choose courses from a range of biomedical and non-biomedical options. Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 3 In Year 3, your studies will focus more on your chosen subject area within biomedical sciences. Your courses will consider the concept of developing knowledge from experiments.You will study two compulsory courses:Biomedical Sciences 3Neuroscience 3You will also take a combination of optional courses that broaden your understanding of your chosen subject.Additionally, in this year, you will develop key graduate attributes, including analytical and communication skills. Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 4 In your final year, your studies will centre on the idea of research in practice.You will study one compulsory course:General NeuroscienceYou will also choose two option courses that cover cutting-edge topics in more depth.With individual support from a supervisor, you will complete a major research project. This can involve:original, laboratory-based researchdata/literature analysis-based research Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Study abroad You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.Your study abroad options Teaching and assessment Teaching We use a blend of learning and teaching approaches.In-person teaching includes: lecturestutorialsdiscussion groupsworkshopslaboratory workThis is blended with digital teaching using our virtual learning environment. Here you will find electronic resources, including:video recordingslaboratory simulationsdiscussion boardssupplementary reading and reference materialThe importance of research underpins all years of study on the programme. You will be taught by academic staff who are actively involved in internationally recognised research.The balance between teacher-directed learning and independent personal study is an important element of student learning.In Years 3 and 4, the emphasis moves towards self-directed study and discussion-based learning to enhance your learning experience. Assessment We use in-course assessment and exams in all years.Your degree classification will be based on your performance in Years 3 and 4. Sample timetable A typical Year 1/2 timetable:Monday9am lecture10am practical11am practical1pm lecture3pm tutorialTuesday9am lecture2pm lecture3pm tutorialWednesday9am lectureThursday10am practical11am practical12pm lecture2pm practical3pm practical4pm practicalFriday9am lecture1pm lecture2pm lecture Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a Student Adviser and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. Academic support is primarily provided through your course teams, and more general academic guidance is available through the Academic Cohort Lead.Support for your studies Our academic staff Teaching is delivered by academic staff who provide an outstanding research-led learning experience that fosters individual intellectual development. Where you will study Study location Most of your teaching will take place in the University's Central Area and at the King's Buildings campus.In your final year, some teaching will take place in: The Chancellor's Building at BioQuarterThe Western General Hospital Academic facilities All campus sites offer state-of-the-art lecture theatres and laboratory facilities.Study materials are available online. You will have full access to the University's libraries and computer laboratories. Career paths and further study Career paths The broad analytical, scientific and personal skills you gain on this programme will equip you for a variety of careers.This programme will particularly appeal to those planning: a career in biomedical research or a related areaa graduate-entry career in industry, management or the public sectorPrevious graduates have been employed in science and non-science sectors, including: teachingmarketingaccountancypolicy research Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.With the Careers Service, you can:access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisionsVisit the Careers Service website Further study A large proportion of our graduates choose to go on to further study before entering successful academic or industry-based research careers. Applying How to apply You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.Guidance on applying through UCAS Apply to one Biomedical Sciences degreeApply for only one Biomedical Sciences degree. If you apply for multiple degrees within the Biomedical Sciences suite only one application will be taken forward for consideration with the remaining applications being processed as unsuccessful. You will have the opportunity to switch between degrees in later years provided the required courses have been passed. What you need to apply As part of your application, you will need:your academic qualificationsa personal statementevidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)a reference How we select If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.How we select applicants When to apply 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.Search degrees that are open on the UCAS websiteKey application dates and deadlines After you apply After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:How to submit your qualificationsAttend an offer holder eventReceiving our decisionAccepting your offerAfter you’ve accepted your offerIf you have a disability and need more support at university Applying as an international student As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS. Find out more about applying through UCAS Visas and immigration If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme. Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. Applying for a visa Agents An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact. Find contact details for an education agent Life at Edinburgh What our students say Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.University accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSports clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities to daily life, including: sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include:a student counselling servicea health centre (doctor's surgery)support if you're living in University accommodationdedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentHealth and wellbeing support services Contact and events
