Psychology | Neuropsychology

If you choose to specialise in Neuropsychology, you'll study normal and deviant behaviour in relation to brain structure and function. You'll particularly focus on congenital, acquired and degenerative brain dysfunctions, and their related neuropsychiatric disorders. The neuropharmacological mechanisms that underlie behaviour in health and disease will also be highlighted in the programme. By combining in-depth courses that provide theoretical knowledge with courses on advanced methodological and diagnostic skills, you'll obtain all the training you need to pursue a clinical or scientific career in this highly challenging domain.

The programme consists of three theoretical courses (6 ECTS each) and two practical courses (2 ECTS each):

• Theoretical course 1: Brain Organisation and Behaviour
• Theoretical course 2: Neurocognitive Functioning and Dysfunction 
• Theoretical course 3: Neurocognitive enhancement and impact evaluation 
• Practical course 1: Basic Cognitive Psychological Skills
• Practical course 2: Neuropsychological Assessment 

In addition to the theoretical modules and practicals in periods 1 to 3, two additional courses run in parallel throughout this part of the programme: 1) Professional Skills & Mentoring and 2) Academic Skills & Research Proposal. These courses complement the core curriculum by focusing on students’ professional development, mentoring, academic and research skills, and preparation for their research project and master’s thesis.

The themes of the Neuropsychology specialisation are closely linked to research of our staff. They include:

• Cognitive-behavioural dysfunction: looking at the assessment and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficits, functional deficits, neurotrauma, schizophrenia and dementia.
• Cognitive-behavioural effects of drugs and related psychoactive substances: examining the effects of drugs of abuse on brain toxicity and cognitive impairment; the effects of various nutrients and foods on brain neurotransmission and cognitive-affective behaviour such as depression and stress; the effects of drugs and medicines on driving performance; and the effects of medicines on improving cognitive performance.
• Neurodegenerative or age-related cognitive affective changes: exploring cognitive aging, testing models of neurodegenerative diseases and markers for neurocognitive dysfunction.
• Genes, stress and behaviour: investigating genetic brain vulnerability for stress and stress-related cognitive-affective disorders. 

This close link between education and research offers you many opportunities to participate in ongoing research. You will also have access to various instruments to measure behaviour (observational environments, questionnaires and neuropsychological tests) as well as brain imaging techniques (EEG/ERP and fMRI). This provides you with the opportunity to develop both clinically and scientifically relevant skills.

During the master's programme, you will complete a Master's Thesis Research Project, giving you the opportunity to develop your own research question and gain hands-on experience in conducting research.

The project can take two forms:

(a)        Research Project and Field Project

When you choose this form, you work in a team of 4–6 students on a Research Project, while each student develops and answers their own research question. Depending on the project, this may involve collecting and analysing data, conducting a systematic literature review, working with an existing dataset, or developing a computational model. You will also complete an individual Master's thesis and oral inquiry based on your own research. The research project is combined with a Field Project, where you work on a practical challenge provided by an external stakeholder. You translate the challenge into a concrete assignment, use scientific knowledge and relevant data, and develop an evidence-based recommendation. 

(b)       Advanced Research Project

The Advanced Research Project offers a more intensive research experience. You work in a team of up to 3 students, with each student developing their own research question in close collaboration with an academic staff member. You will carry out the full empirical research cycle: from formulating the research question and designing the study to collecting original data, analysing and interpreting the results, and reporting of your research in your thesis. Your Master's thesis is expected to reach a publishable standard. You will also complete an individual oral inquiry alongside your Master's thesis.

Both formats provide you with valuable experience in designing, conducting and communicating research, while allowing you to develop your own academic interests.

No Clinical Internship 

From 2027–2028 onwards, the clinical internship within the Neuropsychology specialisation of the master Psychology will no longer be offered. More information about the planned revisions can be found here.