Edinburgh: Extraordinary futures await.

Stem Cells and Translational Neurology (Online Learning) MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev

Awards: MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev

Study modes: Part-time Intermittent Study

Online learning

Funding opportunities

Through the teaching provided throughout the modules I have greatly improved my presentation skills, writing skills and my ability to create a well-structured narrative in a specific topical area. Throughout my study the bar was undoubtedly set high, but for me, I viewed the challenge as confirmation of course’s unwavering resilience to set standards and thus a true reflection on both the motto and prestige that the University of Edinburgh stands for.

30 year old doctor from Kenya Interested in further study while working full-time

Dementia (including a raft of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease) has recently become the leading cause of death in the UK. Stem cells are a novel and relatively young branch of scientific research that hold the potential for not only therapies but to be able to accurately model these distinctly human diseases.

This unique programme will offer students real-world perspectives from patients, carers, scientists and a range of health care professionals including world-leading experts on the impact of neurological diseases.

This programme offers cutting edge translational neuroscience focused on stem cells, neurodegenerative diseases, regeneration and models (both animal and cell). Furthermore the inclusion of patients and importantly their carers and the real-life impacts of these diseases on individuals will be a common thread running throughout this programme making it truly unique and exceptionally novel.

This programme is designed for medical and/or scientific professionals and aims to introduce students to the fields of neurodegenerative diseases, stem cells, industry and emerging therapeutic opportunities in regenerative / translational neurology. Overall students will gain the knowledge and understanding of the clinical, real-life impact and scientific realities of these fields and thus advance their own learning and be able to carry this forward into their future careers.

Therefore students will be introduced to a range of topics as they progress through the programme from introducing the basic anatomy, structure and development of the central nervous system, a critical understanding of stem cells including sources, locations and roles, an introduction to multiple neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s, Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson’s disease), from both clinical and patient angles, before being introduced to in vitro and in vivo modelling of these diseases, neuroimaging techniques, stem cells and industry.

This part-time, fully online programme will support the need for up-to-date knowledge, skills and theory in a wide variety by the use of not only world leading clinical and scientific experts but also by using the real-life impacts as viewed by patients, the people who care for them and the frontline health professionals. All of this expertise will be presented utilising a range of techniques including: online lectures, practical studies, directed readings and other video and audio resources.

Discussion boards will provide directed assessment tasks while input from expert guest lecturers and tutors offer students opportunity for collaborative critical discourse and debate of current issues.

Studying online at Edinburgh

Find out more about the benefits and practicalities of studying for an online degree:

Within the programme, students can progress from Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), to Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) and to Master of Science degrees (180 credits) as they successfully complete the required number of credits for each level and can therefore stop at any stage or continue onwards depending on their situation.

Postgraduate Certificate

Composed of 4 core courses to provide the fundamental foundations for the Diploma and MSc but can also be taken as a self-contained PGCert. It will cover fundamental areas including key basic research skills (such as how to critically evaluate scientific manuscripts, as well as a basic understanding of statistics) whilst introducing students to the central nervous system, its basic anatomy and development and stem cells. In parallel students would cover an introduction to neurodegenerative diseases (that would include Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Motor Neurone Disease) before being introduced to in vitro and in vivo modelling of these diseases. Finally students would also learn about neuroimaging and its potential roles for scientific research.

Postgraduate Diploma

Expands on the PGCert courses as well as introducing greater depth to novel areas such as the roles of pharma and industry with respect to stem cells. A proportion of the Diploma credits are elective and students will be assisted in choosing appropriate options from across the broad spectrum available from Edinburgh University that are relevant to their own situation, employment and career goals.

MSc

Students have the opportunity to explore a specialist area from within the broad spectrum of stem cells, regeneration and translational neuroscience in the form of either a dissertation, or, a structured project (the student would themselves have to source this if desired), which would aim to deliver a ‘real world’ project with a direct impact for an employer, organisation or personal goal. A third option available for students is a choice of 60 fully taught credits.

The minimum recommended time for completion of the full Masters programme is three years, and the maximum time for completion is six years. The Certificate and Diploma can be completed on a pro rata basis.

Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD)

Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course(s), without the time or financial commitment of a full Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate.

You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years through our PPD scheme. These lead to a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit. Alternatively, after one year of taking courses you can choose to transfer your credits and continue on to studying towards a higher award on a Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.

Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout a year you may only start a Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme in the month of September. Any time spent studying PPD will be deducted from the amount of time you will have left to complete a Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScStem Cells and Translational NeurologyUp to 6 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyProgramme structure 2024/25
PgDip (ICL)Stem Cells and Translational NeurologyUp to 4 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyProgramme structure 2024/25
PgCert (ICL)Stem Cells and Translational NeurologyUp to 2 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyProgramme structure 2024/25

A critical and comparative knowledge at the level of a specialist in the field of the current background, theories, concepts and technical methodologies regarding stem cells, neurodegenerative diseases, regeneration and translational neuroscience and the multiple models used for scientific research.

Gain the necessary specialist professional and academic skills to analyse, research, synthesise and critique scientific developments.

Develop your abilities to communicate fundamental concepts to scientific, clinical and lay audiences, by utilizing multiple techniques.

You will develop the required skills to progress further in your education/vocation.

Potential career paths, exits routes and employers are very diverse and depend on the students chosen carer. For students working in a clinical environment this programme would offer them career advancement/specialism within their clinical setting.

For students coming from a scientific background there is the opportunity to improve carer prospects in laboratory research settings or alternatively to help in progressing to a PhD.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in neuroscience, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, physics, medicine, biology or a related science discipline.

We may also consider your application if you have relevant work experience; work experience must be in a related scientific area for example hospital or research laboratories (preferably based around stem cells) for 3 or more years. Please contact the programme team to check before you apply. You may be admitted to certificate level only in the first instance.

Students from China

This degree is Band D.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
  • Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Deposit

Successful applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit before an unconditional offer can be made. This will be offset against tuition fees upon entry to the programme.

The deposit required is:

  • £250

Find out more about tuition fee deposits:

Tuition fee deposits can be paid here using the University's online payment facility, ePay:

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScStem Cells and Translational NeurologyUp to 6 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyTuition fees
PgDip (ICL)Stem Cells and Translational NeurologyUp to 4 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyTuition fees
PgCert (ICL)Stem Cells and Translational NeurologyUp to 2 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyTuition fees
PgProfDevStem Cells and Translational NeurologyUp to 2 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyTuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money

    • taking out a loan

    • family support

  • personal savings

  • income from work

  • employer sponsorship

  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences
  • Chancellor's Building
  • 49 Little France Crescent
  • Little France
  • Edinburgh
  • EH16 4SB
Programme start date Application deadline
8 September 2025 22 August 2025

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

You must submit one reference with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences
  • Chancellor's Building
  • 49 Little France Crescent
  • Little France
  • Edinburgh
  • EH16 4SB