Neuropsychology (Joint programme with University of York)
Short presentation of the programme:
The Master’s programme in Neuropsychology is a joint programme between the Cognitive Science and Psychology Department at NBU and the CITY College Europe Campus of University of York. It offers specialised, in-depth knowledge in the field of Neuropsychology, as well as an exceptional foundation of methodological and critical thinking skills.
The graduate programme in Neuropsychology focuses on the understanding of the neuronal basis of behaviour, acquiring a deeper knowledge and experience of clinical neuropsychology and advanced research skills. The programme focuses on cognitive deficits that follow brain damage in clinical populations, such as neurological patients (e.g., stroke and epilepsy), people with neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, and children with neurodevelopmental conditions. The programmes will help prepare you for professional positions (e.g., as an assistant psychologist) or further education in Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (i.e., DPsych) or a PhD position.
The students may choose between two specialisations – an applied Clinical Neuropsychology and a more fundamental, research-oriented Cognitive Neuropsychology. The two specialisations follow the same lecture classes, however they differ in the practical and training modules. The Clinical Neuropsychology specialisation requires an extensive Practicum in clinical settings, while the Cognitive Neuropsychology specialisation requires conducting a research project that leads to a dissertation.
Major and professional qualification:
Specialisation:
Clinical neuropsychology
Major:
Neuropsychology
Qualification: MA in Clinical neuropsychology
Specialisation:
Cognitive neuropsychology
Major:
Neuropsychology
Qualification: MSc in Cognitive neuropsychology
Practical training courses:
The programme offers training and internships in neurology clinics and rehabilitation centres (for Clinical Neuropsychology specialisation). Additionally, trainings in research laboratories are also provided:
- Experimental Psychology Lab equipped with experiment generator software
- Neuroscience Lab equipped with an EEG system
- Decision and Behavior Lab equipped with an eye-tracking system
- Child Development Lab equipped with technology for observation and analysis of video protocols
- Artificial Cognitive Systems Lab equipped with robots and workstations
- Neuroscience labs of the Bulgarian Academy of Science
International mobility:
The program offers grants within the current framework of European programs for student mobility, such as ‘Lifelong Learning, ‘Erasmus’ and CEEPUS in partnership with universities in Italy, Germany, Holland, Greece, Poland, Hungary, and Austria.
Graduate Student Competencies:
Graduates will:
- receive practical training on Neuropsychological Assessment. Also, the students will be trained to develop personalised intervention programmes for patients with brain injury;
- receive research methodology training, experience and skills for independent experimental research in the field of Neuropsychology as well as experimental report writing
Graduation:
The completion of the Master’s programme requires different paths for the two specialisations:
MA in Clinical Neuropsychology: a defense of the Clinical Practicum of the student;
MSc in Cognitive Neuropsychology: defense of a Master’s thesis dissertation.
The terms and conditions of graduation are in accordance with NBU's ‘Standard of completion for the degree of Bachelor or Master”.
Occupation and possible positions:
Graduates may choose to pursue careers in various clinical settings and rehabilitation centres (especially for the ones with specialisation in Clinical Neuropsychology) or proceed to PhD studies in a variety of areas (e.g. PhD in Clinical Psychology or DPsych). Additionally, the graduate degree in Neuropsychology provides the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary environments, either research-oriented, or industry-oriented, such as Neuromarketing applications.
Department :
Cognitive science and Psychology