Neuroscience for Drug Discovery,MSc

Aston University

United Kingdom, Birmingham

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423

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Home/United Kingdom/Birmingham /Aston University/Neuroscience for Drug Discovery,MSc

Aston University

United Kingdom , Birmingham

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Aston University,Birmingham

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 24,800 / year

Next Intake September-2026

Neuroscience for Drug Discovery,MSc

About

Course overview

Neuroscience for Drug Discovery is a specialised area combining neuroscience and pharmacology that focuses on using insights from fundamental neuroscience research to discover and develop novel pharmaceutical interventions for the treatment of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s and auto-immune diseases.

It represents an interdisciplinary approach that combines the knowledge of how the nervous system functions with treatment targets and drug development strategies. Once potential drug targets are identified, researchers work on identifying compounds or drugs that can modulate these key elements and restore normal function or alleviate symptoms. This includes repurposing of existing approved drugs for use in new disease areas or new patient populations.

Neuroscience for Drug Discovery MSc

As a Neuroscience for Drug Discovery student you will join an innovative programme integrating fundamental neuroscience with translational medical research, encouraging you to bridge the gap between fundamental research and the development of novel therapeutic interventions.

What we will provide
As a postgraduate student and active researcher in this field, you will join an exciting body of scientists aiming to enhance our understanding of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. During your year at Aston, you will study specialist modules that combine theory and practice through small group tutorials, lectures, and hands-on laboratory sessions in bespoke, highly equipped teaching and research laboratories. You’ll complete a core curriculum of four taught modules which will provide you with a detailed understanding and critical analysis of the contemporary research and analysis methods used in neuroscience and drug discovery:

What you will provide
Postgraduate students are required to balance academic work and research projects. You will be expected to engage with teaching materials, online lectures, and in-person sessions. It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies - understand that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, you must be able to demonstrate critical thinking and have ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
In addition to core neuroscience theory and advanced neuroscience laboratory skills, the Neuroscience for Drug Discovery course emphasizes professional development and research-related communication skills, with a dedicated Professional Development for Neuroscientists module. Here you will develop your abilities in areas such as oral and written presentation, personal promotion and employability, intellectual property, scientific writing, systematic review and meta-analysis, and research ethics.

Career prospects
Our teaching is research-led and prepares graduates for careers across a variety of sectors including academic research, pharmaceutical, medical, and clinical roles, and wider scientific professions.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

You can apply for year 1 of a Bachelors degree with a two-year diploma/certificate. We normally look for average GPA of 3.0/5.0 as a minimum.

Some degree programmes, such as engineering, sciences and languages, require specific subject backgrounds.

If you have or you are on the path to study a different qualification, please contact us at [email protected] for an evaluation.

English Program Requirements

Undergraduate (Bachelor Degrees)

School/Programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
Aston Medical School	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
Aston Business School	Two bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 and above	Two bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 and above	-	-	6.5
Engineering and Physical Sciences	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	6.0
Health and Life Sciences (except Aston Medical School)	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.5
Health and Life Sciences (Optometry)	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	7.0
School of Social Sciences and Humanities	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	6.0

* The above is applicable to students entering Years 1 and 2 of undergraduate programmes. Articulation into the Final year will vary depending on the degree programme and subject to the agreement with the partner.

** BSc Biochemistry, BSc Neuroscience, BSc Biology, and BSc Psychology programmes (all) will accept applications from candidates where one band is at 5.5 and the others at 6.0 and above.

Career

Career prospects

Our teaching is research-led and prepares graduates for careers across a variety of sectors including academic research, pharmaceutical, medical, and clinical roles, and wider scientific professions.

Graduates of our Neuroscience programmes develop key specialised skills sought out by employers within the fields of drug development, clinical trials, biopharmaceuticals, and clinical research, and past students have pursued careers as drug discovery scientists, neuropharmacologists, clinical researchers, academic researchers, research and development managers, consultants, pharmaceutical scientists, clinical project managers, and medical writers/science communicators.

Employers in the United Kingdom include AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Capgemini, Novartis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Labcorp Drug Development, Charles River Laboratories, and many more.