Course Title Applied Clinical Neuropsychology
Qualification M.Sc./P.Grad.Dip exit only
Duration One Year (Full-Time)
Closing Date 31st March annually
Next Intake September annually

The human brain is generally regarded as a complex web of adaptations built into the nervous system, even though no one knows how.

- Michael Gazzaniga 2000

This new Masters programme is the first of its kind in Ireland and has been designed for psychology graduates with a keen interest in neuropsychology.

MSc Flyer (4.5MB)

 

Students will join a vibrant community of academics and clinicians at the Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, and acquire a unique interdisciplinary, research-led learning experience, from experts in Neurology, Neuropsychology and Neuroscience.

Students will develop an understanding of key research methodologies used in the assessment of brain-behaviour relationships together with an extensive knowledge of the different clinical presentations, diagnostic issues and neuropsychological profiles of a broad range of neurological disorders and diseases. Students will explore key concepts in neurorehabilitation and relevant therapies in the clinical care and management of these complex neurological conditions.

This course is designed to focus students in the area of clinical neuropsychology before they embark on a PhD or other professional training in clinical psychology, counselling psychology or educational psychology.  (The course is not a professional training in clinical neuropsychology and does not qualify you to work as a clinical neuropsychologist in Ireland).

The course includes 10 x 5 ECTS Modules, 1 x 10 ECTS module an additional 30 ECTS Research Project to create a MSc degree (90 ECTS). An exit postgraduate diploma of 60 ECTS is created by the 11 x 5 ECTS Taught Modules and 1 x10 ECTS module in Advanced Research Methods.

Assessments are varied and specially designed to meet the learning outcomes for that module.  Examples of assessments include MCQ's, essays, literature reviews, poster and oral presentations, group work and neuropsychology reports. It is quite skills based and reflects the type of activities you might be required to do as an Assistant Psychologist or Research Assistant.  

Teaching sessions are mainly in-person but some classes may also be delivered digitally (either online or pre-recorded). All classes are scheduled Monday to Friday during normal working hours. Currently, classes are scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with some online tutorials on Fridays if required.  Lecture sessions are usually scheduled from 10am-5pm.

Modules 1-12 include:

  • M01: Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Issues in Neuropsychology (5ECTS)
  • M02: Structural and Functional Neuroanatomy in Modern Neuropsychology (5ECTS)
  • M03: Acquired Brain Injury, Concussion and Epilepsy (5ECTS)
  • M04: Neurovascular Disorders (5ECTS)
  • M05: Neuro-disability and Rehabilitation (5ECTS)
  • M06: Neuroscience, Neurophysiology and Neuroimaging for Clinical Research in Neuropsychology (5ECTS)
  • M07: Applied Clinical Psychology (5ECTS)
  • M08: The Emotional Brain (5ECTS)
  • M09: Neurodegenerative Conditions and Clinical Neuropsychology (5ECTS)
  • M10: The Ageing Brain and Dementia (5ECTS)
  • M11:Advanced Research Methods (10 ECTS)
  • M12: Research Dissertation (30 ECTS )

Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees

In addition to the fees, students will incur some small costs associated with the Garda Vetting process, poster presentations and occasionally lectures might be off campus which could incur some extra travel costs in addition to the coast to travel to the obsevership.

Please note there are no internally funded places on this course; external funding opportunities would need to be sourced independently.

 

Applicants will be required to hold at least a minimum of an upper second-class honours degree (2.1) in psychology from a recognised university course, which confers eligibility for graduate registration with the Psychological Society of Ireland or equivalent professional body in the case of overseas applicants. 

Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, see https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/undergraduates/garda-vetting.php for further details. 

A primary degree in psychology is mandatory for this course. 

The course is very popular so not all applicants who meet criteria are offered places.  

 

Students on the Applied Clinical Neuropsychology course have the option of shadowing professionals in the field. To avail of this opportunity, students will need to have completed the Garda Vetting process and meet other site-specific (hospital) requirements.  

The below link provides all information needed to obtain Garda Vetting

https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/undergraduates/garda-vetting.php 

International applicants will need to ensure that they are in a position to provide the required documents for this process in a timely manner (this can take up to 90 days in some instances).

For international applicants, the below link may be useful: https://www.tcd.ie/study/international/arriving-in-ireland/visa-immigration/

To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link here

 

Course Director: Professor Niall Pender

Course Coordinator: Professor Marie McCarthy

Email: NEUROPSYCHOLOGY@tcd.ie