Master of Neuroscience

at Australian National University

Program Structure

The Master of Neuroscience requires the completion of 96 units, of which:

A minimum of 24 units must come from completion of 8000- level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

• NEUR6101 Cellular Neuroscience (6 units)

• NEUR6102 Systems Neuroscience (6 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of a foundation Neuroscience course from the following list:

• BIOL6174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease (6 units)

• PSYC6010 Biological Basis of Behaviour (6 units)

A minimum of 12 units from completion of integrative courses from the following list:

• BIOL8291 Research Presentation Skills (6 units)

• NEUR8700 Neuroscience Research proposal (6 units)

• NEUR8701 Readings in Neuroscience (6 units)

• NEUR8704 Neuroscience Essay (6 units)

• NEUR8010 Neuroscience Research Project (6-12 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

• MEDN6001 Medical Physiology and Pharmacology (6 units)

• MEDN6002 Pathogenesis of Human Disease (6 units)

• BIOL6161 Genes: Replication and Expression (6 units)

• BIOL6171 Biochemistry and Nutrition (6 units)

• BIOL6191 Biology, Society and Ethics (6 units)

• BIOL6201 Big Questions in Biology (6 units)

• BIOL6202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)

• BIOL8021 Health and Disease in a Changing World (6 units)

• BIOL8702 Advanced Research Techniques (12 units)

• MEDN6820 Biomedical Imaging (6 units)

• POPM8001 Research, Treatment, Policy: Current Issues in Mental Health (6 units)

• PSYC6016 Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience (6 units)

• SCOM6031 Science, Risk and Ethics (6 units)

A maximum of 12 units may come from completion of Science & Society courses from the following list:

• ENVS6013 Society and Environmental Change (6 units)

• ENVS6020 Human Ecology (6 units)

• ENVS6025 Complex Environmental Problems in Action (6 units)

• ENVS6103 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)

• SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web (6 units)

• SCOM6015 Speaking of Science (6 units)

• SCOM6016 Science in the Media (6 units)

• SCOM6027 Science Politics (6 units)

• SCOM6501 Strategies in Science Communication (6 units)

• SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public (6 units)

A maximum of 24 units from ANU electives

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent

• with a minimum GPA of at least 5.0/7.0

• with at least 8 courses in a cognate discipline, which must also have a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0.

The GPA requirement for this program must be met by both the program as a whole, as well as by the 8 courses in a cognate discipline. Where more than 8 cognate courses have been completed by the applicant, ANU will take the best 8 courses when assessing the cognate GPA.

Academic achievement & English language proficiency

The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0. 

However, applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. 

If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of: 

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or

• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency. 

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

Annual indicative fee for international students

$51,541

Employment Opportunities

Our postgraduate neuroscience programs pave the way for further studies in neuroscience and related fields, such as a PhD.

A Master of Neuroscience will also provide you with the skills to find employment in the biomedical sciences sector, including in clinical research, with pharmaceutical companies and in policy development.