The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: Online professional course (20 credits) Study duration: 13 weeks
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

Discover the meaning of psychobiology and neuropsychology with this informative online professional course.  

You’ll be introduced to the fundamental elements of both principles and learn how to apply this knowledge to a topic of interest to you – such as personality, intelligence, addiction, depression, anxiety, impairments in attention, cognitive control and learning.  

You’ll cover a range of interesting topics, including:  

  • advanced neuropsychological research principles 
  • psychobiological basis of addiction  
  • ethical research in psychobiology and neuropsychology 

At the end, you’ll have the opportunity to progress on to one of our popular postgraduate courses. 

Why we’re great 

  • Take the first step into an exciting new career in psychology. 
  • Hone your critical thinking and analytical skills. 
  • Gain 20 credits on successful completion, transferable to a PG Cert, PG Dip or full Masters. 
  • Study 100% online, part-time, via our state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE). 
  • Receive your certificate from the University of Essex, a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide 2025). 

You’ll study the following topics as part of the online professional course: 

  • fundamentals in genetics, functional neuroanatomy and neurophysiology 
  • fundamentals in cognitive neuroscience 
  • fundamentals in psychopharmacology 
  • research ethics in psychobiology and neuropsychology 
  • advanced neuropsychological research principles 
  • traumatic brain injury and its neuropsychological assessment 
  • intellectual disabilities and their neuropsychological assessment 
  • psychobiological basis of sex differences 
  • psychobiological basis of personality and intelligence differences  
  • psychobiological basis of addiction  
  • psychobiological basis of depression and anxiety 
  • neuropsychology of attention, cognitive control and learning 

Teaching methods 

Studying online gives you the freedom to complete your qualification when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or in a café. 

Our online professional courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you’ll have access to your study materials 24/7, including: 

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments 
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the module content with fellow students 
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors 
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals 
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team 

To ensure you receive high-quality tutor support, each class is capped at 20 students. 

 

Assessment methods 

You’ll be assessed exclusively through assignments. These include assessed discussion forums, written assignments and journal entries. 

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways: 

  • our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent 
  • you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start 
  • you’ll be able to clearly view your marks in your gradebook whenever you log on to the learning platform 
  • there’s a seven-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work 
  • you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise 

  

Study duration 

Our Psychobiology and Neuroscience online professional course has a study duration of 13 weeks, including a one-week induction to help you settle into online study. 

The Psychobiology and Neuroscience online professional course offers a whole host of opportunities. On successful completion, you’ll receive a digital certificate confirming you’ve achieved 20 academic credits at postgraduate level. This will be beneficial whether you’re looking to climb the career ladder or take the first step into psychology – helping you stand out among the competition.  

If you wish to continue your studies and boost your prospects, you could choose additional psychology online professional courses. Alternatively, you could progress on to the PG Cert Psychology (60 credits); PG Dip Psychology (120 credits); or the MSc Psychology (180 credits). 

Please note, acceptance on to a postgraduate qualification is subject to meeting the entry requirements of your chosen programme. 

No formal qualifications or experience is necessary.  

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency of English is required. If English isn’t your first language, your ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.  

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you’re a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries. 

Full tuition fee:
£1,386 UK / £1,455 International (2024-25) Δ
 

  • Our online professional courses are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included. 
  • Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you’re a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.
  • We offer a 14-day moneyback guarantee, so if you decide your course isn’t for you during the first 14 days, we’ll give you a full refund. Terms and conditions apply. 

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach on our Psychobiology and Neuroscience online professional course are experts in the business field.

What our students say

Agnisha Bose -MSc Psychology

I aspire to become a mental health professional and start my own private practice one day.

I was born and raised in Maharashtra, India and I’m currently staying in Delhi. I was always fascinated to interact with people from different countries and wanted to know more about their languages and cultures. When the whole world came to a standstill during the COVID pandemic, the University of Essex Online helped me continue my education in a field of my interest.  I did my undergraduate studies in economics at Symbiosis International University. However, I found that my strength lies in interacting...

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