Neuroscience Career FAQs

What is the difference between psychology, neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience?

Psychology
Psychology is the study of cognition (thinking) and behaviour in humans and other animals. A first degree (BA or BSc) in psychology qualifies you for professional courses and qualifications by the British Psychological Society, e.g. as a clinical psychologist.

Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the study of the brain-in humans and other animals. This usually includes basic neural mechanisms at the cellular, molecular, systems (physiological) levels. The techniques may include histology, neuroanatomy, single cell electrophysiology, brain imaging and neurochemical and neuroendocrine assays. It generally has a separate degree, often housed in departments of biology, physiology or anatomy. It may have some instruction on behaviour and cognition i.e. psychology and ethology; the neural basis of behaviour is called ‘behavioural neuroscience’. Both undergraduate (BA/BSc and MSc) postgraduate neuroscience courses are available (See Neuroscience Courses).

Cognitive neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience is a more specialised area. It is essentially the intersection of cognitive psychology and neuroscience and mainly studies the neural basis of cognition and behaviour in humans (N.B. ‘behavioural neuroscience’ is the term usually reserved for similar studies in other animals). It includes techniques of cognitive and experimental psychology as well as some physiological techniques (e.g. galvanic skin response, heart rate), EEG recording, human elector physiology, transcranial stimulation, and a range of brain imaging methods e.g. PET, fMRI etc. It may also include a computational element e.g. reinforcement learning. Cognitive neuroscience may be taught as an advanced module in first degree courses in psychology or neuroscience and some master’s courses are available. A qualification in cognitive neuroscience alone would be insufficient for professional courses or degrees e.g. in clinical psychology, organised by the British Psychological Society.

Do I have to do a neuroscience degree to have a career in the field?

No, there are many paths into the field of neuroscience. Other health science degrees such as biomedical sciences, biochemistry and pharmacology often teach you skills required to later specialise in neuroscience. These courses may also offer neuroscience modules where a student can tailor their knowledge and skills to the field. It is best to investigate the content and practical experience offered from a degree as these can differ considerably between institutions.

Alternatively, individuals with degrees such as physics, chemistry, engineering and computer science are sought after in the neuroscience and there are many applications for skills derived from these fields.

What qualifications do I need to study a neuroscience degree? / Can I still do a neuroscience degree without biology and chemistry A-Levels?

A-Level biology and chemistry (or equivalent qualifications, e.g. Scottish) are preferred subjects for entry onto a neuroscience BSc and be aware that, in some cases, both are a requirement e.g. Kings College London. However, some Universities will accept other ‘traditional science’ subjects such as physics and maths e.g. University of Manchester. Usually an ‘A’ grade is required in one of these traditional science subjects. If you are not taking one of these traditional science subjects, the University of Sussex also accept psychology.

Many universities also require that the student has passed practical aspects of their science A-Levels.

Grade requirements often depend on how many traditional science subjects you are taking at A-Level. For instance, if a student is taking biology, chemistry and physics, the final grade requirements may be lower than a pupil who is taking biology and two non-traditional science subjects.

Foundation Entry degree courses are designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree, but don’t have the necessary formal qualifications to enter directly onto their chosen Honours degree programme. If you are not in the position/do not wish to retake A-Levels, foundation courses are available at some universities e.g. University of Central Lancashire and Keele University. The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a qualification which also prepares people without traditional qualifications for study. They are designed, in particular, for people who have been out of education for some time, especially those who left school with too few qualifications to be able to go straight to university.

Before applying, please review entry requirements for each University course (full list at www.bna.org.uk/careers/courses). Equivalent grade and subject requirements for International Baccalaureate, Higher Education Diploma, BTEC, Scottish Qualifications and Welsh and European qualifications, can also be found on each University page.

Can I do a master's in neuroscience without a science-related undergraduate degree?

With difficulty - This would not be a standard route into the field for individuals without a science-related undergraduate degree such as neuroscience, biology, biomedical sciences, biochemistry and, in some cases, psychology. If you do have related experience, it is best to contact course coordinators directly.

Can I get work experience as a school student?

If you are a school student, gaining work experience is a fantastic way to find out about different careers.

It can be challenging to find work experience in a neuroscience setting, due to the highly regulated environment of research labs and/or clinical settings, as well as the many demands on neuroscientists' time. However, the following tips may help you find one.

If you don't manage to find work experience, please don't be disheartened!

You can continue to pursue your neuroscience interests through joining the BNA; school students can join the BNA from the age of 16 and get the BNA Bulletin, reduced or free access to many events, as well as becoming part of the UK's largest neuroscience community, and the wider international community too!

Reading, watching neuroscience talks (e.g. see the BNA's YouTube channel), and/or attending webinars and lectures will also be really valuable in helping inform your career choices.

Tips for school students to find neuroscience work opportunities:

• Use internet searches to identify neuroscience research groups in universities that are nearest to you. Sometimes they can be hard to find because the university may not have a department or school of neuroscience.  Try looking under biomedicine, medical sciences, life sciences, physiology, genetics, biology, zoology, biochemistry, clinical sciences and other similar titles.
• A research group is typically led by a Principal Investigator, or PI. Often you will find research conducted at a university or research institution is grouped according to the PI; you will find information about the the PI's research interests, their group members, funding etc.
• Read about the research carried out by different groups / PIs and identify those that are of interest to you.
• Email the PI to enquire if there are any work experience or work shadowing opportunities in their group. They should have an email on their webpage.
• Express clearly why you are interested in a neuroscience career in general, and their specific research in particular. An individual approach will be far more likely of success than a generic enquiry.
• Try and be as flexible as possible in your availability and what you are seeking. For example, it may be that they could host you for half a day, but not two months. Be open to any opportunities they can offer.
• Also consider widening your interest to non-neuroscience research groups.  Any insight into how a research lab or group is run will be useful when it comes to applying to and carrying out a university degree. becoming a research technician, or any related career.

Does the BNA offer any work experience?

The BNA offers 2 x placements for undergraduates undertaking a sandwich course in neuroscience or a related discipline, i.e. one which incorporates a year in a placement position (usually the third year of a four-year degree course), based in the BNA offices at the University of Bristol.

These placements are intended to provide the opportunity for students to gain experience and understanding of science careers and working within a professional academic science association. All placements are primarily office-based. Activities and skills could include event managment, communications, membership liaison, marketing, outreach or other tasks that are underaken in a membership organisation. The BNA does not offer placements in a research environment.

The call for applications is released in the autumn of the previous academic year with a deadline of December or January e.g. for placement in academic year 2019/20, the call for applications will go out in autumn 2018. Please check jobs listings or enquire with the BNA office for current opportunities.

The BNA occasionally has opportunities for short-term volunteering opportunities e.g. via the PIPS or Charity Insights scheme.  These would also provide office-based experience, not research.

What companies/institutions offer work placements/internships/graduate schemes to undergraduate students?

Undergraduate Summer Research Placements

There are opportunities for undergraduate students to take short research placements in laboratories over the summer holidays, in order to learn first-hand about experimental procedures and analyses employed in the host laboratory. This does not necessarily have to be at the institute where the student studies.

Students should approach the head of a laboratory directly to enquire (well in advance) whether a summer project is feasible. Student stipend grants are available, however, in many cases the supervisor should be a member of the funding organisation/society and will put forward the application.

More information and a list of funding bodies related to biomedical research can be found here.

Undergraduate Industry (Sandwich) Placements

Some undergraduate degrees offer a chance for students to work in industry during their third year of study.

The BNA offers 2 x placements for students wishing to gain experience and understanding of science careers and working within a professional academic science association (see above).

What is the difference between a neuroscientist, neurologist and neurosurgeon?

A neuroscientist is typically a research scientist. The traditional career route would involve a science undergraduate degree followed by a PhD. No clinical practice or clinical qualifications are required.

Neurologists and neurosurgeons are both medical specialities. Therefore, both require a clinical medicine degree and individuals will go on to specialise in one of these disciplines.

A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system. As practicing physicians, they can order tests such as imaging studies including CT scans, MRI scans or laboratory tests such as CSF examination.

Neurosurgeons are medical doctors who specialize in performing surgical treatments of nervous system.

Do you need a medical degree to become a neuroscientist?

No. (see above)

However, with the integrated academic career path, there are a number of opportunities for trainee clinicians to gain experience and qualifications in academic research (e.g. BSc/PhD).

As a medical student, intercalated degrees entail an extra year of study that gives you the chance to study a particular area of medicine in depth. Other opportunities include involvement in research projects alongside your medical studies or in summer breaks, and research-based student selected modules.

Academic foundation programmes (AFP) posts offer protected academic time during foundation year 2. Academic clinical fellowships (ACF) posts run for three years or, if the post is a general practice ACF, for four years. They combine specialty specific training with academic training. During the post, 75% of your time will be dedicated to clinical work and 25% to academic work. Academic work may take the form of a nine-month block, three months a year, or up to two days a week.

Further information on the integrated academic career path can be found here:

BMJ Careers; The road to a clinical academic career. Authors: Garth Funston, Christian Cerra, Deborah Kirkham, Gary Doherty, Paul O’Neill

Are there any online courses available to study neuroscience?

Yes, they can be found in the ‘Online courses’ section of the BNA website.