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Destinations of Graduates from MSc in Neuroscience (1995-2020)

Immediately after the MSc in Neuroscience, 57% of over 450 graduates went on to do a PhD, either in Oxford or elsewhere.  A further 17% continued into graduate medicine. Only 6% left science altogether. Those that chose a science-related job include science journalist and science communication positions and management consultants in the biotechnology sector

 

 

Comments from some of our alumni…

Dr Catherine Sebastian (2005-06)

Undergraduate: Experimental Psychology, Oxford

1st position after MSc: PhD, UCL

2nd position after MSc: Post-doc, UCL

3rd  position: Lecturer, Royal Holloway College, London

Currently; Head of Evidence team (Mental health), Wellcome

"I completed the MSc in Neuroscience in 2006. I went on to study for a PhD in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience with Prof Sarah-Jayne Blakemore at the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience. I received this in 2009, after which I completed a postdoc with Prof Essi Viding, also at UCL, looking at neural responses to emotional cues in adolescents with conduct problems. In Sept 2012 I started as a Lecturer in Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London.

The MSc was a very valuable experience in so many ways (and not just because I met my husband on the course!). Experiencing how research is conducted across two different labs was a real eye-opener, and the insights I gained helped me to choose a PhD in a lab that was a good fit. The MSc projects also gave me the chance to work closely with supervisors who were world-leading experts in their field. I was also lucky enough to be included as a co-author on publications arising from my projects, which definitely helped to boost my CV at the start of my career. At the same time, I enjoyed learning about molecular and cellular neuroscience, which I had not previously studied. Overall, I would highly recommend this well-organised course to anyone interested in a career in neuroscience and related fields."

 

Graeme Wilson (2005-6)

Undergraduate:  Computer Science, Ulster University

1st position after MSc: 2 Years at Oxford Computing Laboratory, medical informatics project.

2nd position after MSc: Cambridge Graduate Course in Medicine, 2008-12.

3rd  position: Foundation Doctor: 2012-14

Current: Anaesthetist

"Embarking on a medical career after the MSc is a well-trodden path and, in hindsight, it’s easy to see how it’s helped: Aside from the direct knowledge gained in the body’s most fascinating system, the fast pace and high academic standards inherent to the MSc enforced and developed a flexibility, precision, level of insight and work ethic which I believe will serve any Alumnus well, whatever their subsequent path.

The quality of the cohort is, in my experience, unsurpassed and I remain extremely grateful for the opportunity, challenge and experience."

 

Joseph Raimondo (2007-08)

Undergraduate: Medicine, Cape Town, South Africa

1st position after MSc: DPhil, Oxford

Current position: Research Fellow and University lecturer, Cape Town, South Africa

"Before taking the Oxford MSc in Neuroscience, I knew I was interested in the brain, but I really had no idea what neuroscience research was. The MSc transformed me from a whimsical brain ponderer into a scientist capable of answering exciting questions about brain function. The breadth of subjects on offer combined with the opportunity to do research projects in some of the best laboratories in the world make this course hugely valuable for the budding neuroscientist."