Master of Science in Neuropsychology

Learn to Assess and Treat Cognitive-Behavioral Disorders

Are you interested in the relationship between the brain and behavior? As a neuropsychologist, you will study psychological functions such as perception, memory, language, attention, emotion, and motor skills.

This includes:

• How the brain mediates these psychological functions;
• The consequences of brain damage;
• How to treat disorders.

Disorders can be caused by a wide range of aetiologies, such as an accident, a stroke, neural degeneration (Alzheimer’s, Wernicke-Korsakov syndrome), or developmental defects (dyslexia, ADHD, autism).

Education driven by research and clinical experience

The lecturers at the Neuropsychology Master’s program all work in clinical practice and/or conduct state-of-the-art cognitive research at Utrecht University. This integration of science and practice feeds the Master’s program’s educational activities.

Work in multidisciplinary teams

In this Master’s program, you will learn how to work together with other behavioral and medical professionals. Our lecturers often have different specialist backgrounds, and you will experience the same multidisciplinary atmosphere in your internship as well.

Limited admission

The Neuropsychology Master’s program is limited to a maximum of 65 admissions for the academic year. This means that no more than 65 candidates will be permitted to participate.

In the Neuropsychology Master’s program, you will learn the knowledge and skills needed to assess and treat cognitive disorders resulting from brain dysfunction. You will develop into an academic professional, who can apply the latest scientific models of functions such as perception, memory, and attention in clinical practice or to innovate assessment and treatment.

Depending on your previous education, after completing this Master’s program, you can continue your studies and:

• Earn the Basic Psychodiagnostics Registration (BAPD) (in Dutch) from the NIP (Dutch Association of Psychologists Psychologists);
• Meet the entry requirements for the Health Care Psychologist training program (in the Netherlands).

This Master’s program prepares you for a position in the field of clinical neuropsychology or a research position at a health care institution or a university.

Academic Career

If your ambition includes a career in academic research, you can also apply for a research trainee position (aio) and earn a Ph.D.

• What does the work entail?

As a research trainee, you will spend four years conducting research at a university in the Netherlands or abroad. This will include writing scientific publications and teaching university courses. After earning your Ph.D., you may be able to continue working in a research position.

The Job Market

Potential careers include:

• Neuropsychologist in a clinical setting
• Researcher

Neuropsychologists work in a variety of institutions, including:

• (Psychiatric) hospitals
• Rehabilitation centres
• Nursing homes

The organisations where our graduates end up are diverse, and include, for instance: UMC Utrecht, Altrecht, GGZ Centraal, Erasmus MC, Korsakovcentrum Slingedael, GGZ and Diakonessenhuis.

What Does the Work Entail?

For example:

As a neuropsychologist in a clinical setting, you will examine patients, conduct tests, interpret test results, draw up diagnoses and find suitable treatment methods. You will often be a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team.