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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Clinical Neuropsychology
Header image Clinical Neuropsychology

Clinical Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology: cognition, emotion and behaviour as functions of the brain.

Clinical neuropsychology is a specialty discipline within psychology which is focused on the associations between the brain and neuropsychological functions, including cognition, emotion and behaviour. Clinical neuropsychology is particularly interested in the effects of brain disorders and other clinical conditions affecting the brain on these functions.

Disorders and conditions comprise acquired or congenital neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions in children, adolescents and adults, such as ADHD, autism, stroke, brain tumor, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, drug abuse, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, etc.

Clinical neuropsychologists can be involved in both the assessment and treatment of people with brain disorders in various applied and often clinical settings, but also in patient-related research. Methods used in the field of clinical neuropsychology are neuropsychological tests, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological techniques.

With the ageing population, the number of people with neuropsychological disorders increases and with this also the demand for well trained clinical neuropsychologists.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Psychology
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60260
Language of instruction
Dutch, English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Expert tuition from professionals in the field.
  • Basic science embedded in clinical practice.
  • Strong emphasis on findings from (experimental) clinical research.
Programme

To meet the requirements for the master's track Clinical Neuropsychology, you have to complete 2 foundation courses, 1 skills course, 1 method course, 2 elective courses, a 10 EC internship and a 20 EC master's thesis.

A 10 EC internship is a mandatory part of the master. This internship can be, for example, a clinical internship (in e.g., a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation centre, etc.) or, for example, a research-oriented internship. A clinical internship needs to be arranged at a host institution in your country of choice, outside the Netherlands. A research-oriented internship can be completed in Groningen or in your institution/country of choice.



If you consider completing the GZ-opleiding (Dutch postdoctoral training to become a health care psychologist), please be aware that a 10EC clinical internship does not fulfill the admission criteria of the GZ-opleiding which requires a clinical internship of at least 19EC. Please see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/postmaster/ for more information about the GZ-opleiding and all admission criteria. The Dutch Klinische Neuropsychologie master track includes a 20 EC clinical internship. However, this master track, and especially the clinical internship within this master track, requires speaking Dutch on a high level.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Data collection and analysis for cognitive neuroscience (5 EC)
Neuropsychology and psychiatric disorders (5 EC)
Repeated measures (5 EC)
Neuropsychological assessment (5 EC)
Elective course

Any other Clinical Neuropsychology course or other psychology master course

Internship (10 EC)

In the English Clinical Neuropsychology track a 10EC (https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/course/PSEMNI-10) internship should be completed.

Master's thesis (20 EC)

In the English Clinical Neuropsychology track a 20EC master's thesis (https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/course/PSEMNT-20) should be completed.

Research methods in clinical neuropsychology (5 EC)
Capita selecta clinical neuropsychology (5 EC)
Advanced clinical neuropsychology (5 EC)
Test construction (5 EC)
Neuropsychological rehabilitation and treatment (5 EC)

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Your previous education and chosen master track determine the application procedure and whether you are eligible for admission to the master or a possible premaster. Check https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie to find the admission requirements that apply to you.

language test

Depending on your background and language of the track of your choice, you will have to submit proof of your proficiency in either Dutch or English. For more information see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie

other admission requirements
Selection Procedure
For this master's track, there is a selection process. For more information, please have a look at this page

Registration procedure

The information can be found on the page about Application, Admission and Selection.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Your previous education and chosen master track determine the application procedure and whether you are eligible for admission to the master or a possible premaster. Check https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie to find the admission requirements that apply to you.

language test

Depending on your background and language of the track of your choice, you will have to submit proof of your proficiency in either Dutch or English. For more information see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie

other admission requirements

Selection Procedure
For this master's track, there is a selection process. For more information, please have a look at this page

Registration procedure

The information can be found on the page about Application, Admission and Selection.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

What is a neuropsychologist doing?

  • Working as a neuropsychologist in clinical practice (neuropsychological assessment and treatment of patients).
  • Research in clinical populations (PhD trajectory).
  • Policymaker in science or clinical practice.

Career services BSS
Where do you want to work after your studies? You can contact
Career Services already during your studies. They will help you orientate on your career, develop your skills, apply for jobs and find an internship.

Job examples

  • Neuropsychologist

    in general and academic hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, school support services, epilepsy centres, forensic hospitals, institutions for the mental disabled, psychiatric centres etc.

  • Researcher

    in the field of clinical neuropsychology, e.g. research focused on neuropsychological impairments in patients with neurological or psychiatric conditions or studying the efficacy of neuropsychological treatment.

  • Policymaker in science or clinical practice

    For example, positions as coordinator or large research projects, manager in higher education, administration, in research institutes or pharmaceutical companies.

Research

For an overview of the research of the expertise group Clinical Neuropsychology, please see Expertise group Clinical Neuropsychology.

For a general overview of research of the Psychology department have a look at Mindwise. This is a blog platform of the Department of Psychology of the University of Groningen (located in the Netherlands). Staff and students write in a personal capacity about psychological research and education in Groningen, and express their opinions on current affairs based on their expertise.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information
presentatieGrote Kruisstraat 2More information

Contact

  • Student Service Desk (appointment Academic Advisor & more see website (Onderwijsbalie))
  • Toelatingscommissie Master Psychologie (about admission & application, for students with a Dutch diploma)
    Email: toelatingscommissie.masterpsy rug.nl
  • Studieadviseurs Psychologie Academic Advisors Psychology (over het programma, studeren / about the programme, studying)
    Email: studyadvice.psy rug.nl
  • Admission Office (Contact form) (for students with a non-Dutch diploma)
    Telephone: +31-(0)50 363 8976
  • Dr. Janneke Koerts (Coordinator master programme Clinical Neuropsychology)
    Email: mastercoordinator.kn-cn rug.nl
    Telephone: +31 (0)50 363 6016

Study associations

VIP

VIP is the study association for the Psychology students at the University of Groningen.
VIP organizes study-related and social activities. As a VIP-member, you receive a discount on study books as well as a discount on VIP activities. On this website, you can find more information about VIP, our events, committees, and the book sale.
https://www.vipsite.nl/
Read more
Study support

In the Psychology programme, there is a strong focus on study advice. Study advisors are available for both the Dutch-taught and English-taught programmes. You can contact them as a prospective student, current student, or former student of programmes within the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences.

Study advisors can assist you with questions regarding:
• the content of the programme
• planning and organising your studies
• choices during your study
• registrations
• programme regulations
• taking courses outside your programme
• studying abroad

They are also available for personal support.
Don't hesitate to get in touch or make an appointment with one of the study advisors.

For brief questions, please email: studyadvice.psy rug.nl
You can make an appointment via the online scheduling system: https://fbss.as.me/schedule/9de94536 ,
or by phone through the education desk: +31 50 3636301