cognitive psychology phd programs in germany

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Welcome to the accredited Master Program in Neuro-Cognitive Psychology at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich!

The course is designed to provide an advanced, research-oriented program in Neuro-Cognitive Psychology , a branch at the intersection of Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Neurosciences.

Important Information about online courses 

NCP is an in-person taught program. However, due to restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, several courses may in part be offered online via Zoom. Please check this page for  detailed information .

General information and application process:

General questions regarding information, eligibility, admission, etc. please send an email only to:

[email protected]

NCP Coordinator: MSc Lisa Beckmann

Responsible for internal affairs, students and staff may contact:

Email: [email protected]

NCP Head of Examination Committee: Prof. Dr. Thomas Geyer

Address: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Psychology, Neuro-Cognitive Psychology, Leopoldstraße 13, 80802 Munich, Germany

Tel.: +49-(0)89-2180-5216

Office hours: on appointment

Email: [email protected]

The application window for entry in Fall 2024 to the NCP study program (within the Graduate School for Systemic Neurosciences) will open on 01.12.2023 (12 Uhr CET).

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THE MAX PLANCK SCHOOL OF COGNITION

Join the Max Planck School of Cognition and be part of a unique scientific network!

Cognition research covers topics from disciplines as diverse as psychology, physics, computer science, philosophy, biology and medicine. In this rapidly developing research field scientists with access to the methods and approaches of the various disciplines are in high demand.

About the MPS of Cognition

The Max Planck School of Cognition  is part of a joint Graduate Program of German Universities and Research Organizations. It brings together experts from various institutions of Germany’s diverse and excellent research landscape for an interdisciplinary graduate education.

The school is comprised of an outstanding cluster of faculty researchers, our Fellows , from diverse scientific backgrounds but with overlapping research interests in the field of Cognition. Our Fellows come from various Max Planck Institutes, Universities, the Helmholtz Association and the Fraunhofer Society. The goal of the program is to enable ambitious and promising students to achieve a successful independent research career in the overall area of Cognition.

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Discover the Max Planck School of Cognition

About the program.

The School offers a four-year PhD program starting with a one-year orientation period followed by three years of research for the doctorate. Students can enter with a Bachelor’s (fast-track) or a Master’s degree. The doctoral program is designed with a multidisciplinary approach, which aims at excellent international applicants from diverse backgrounds. Thus, the program bridges the gaps between related but different disciplines such as artificial intelligence, biology, (cognitive) neuroscience, genetics, linguistics, mathematics, neurobiology, neuroimaging, neurology, neurophysics, philosophy, physics, psychiatry, and psychology. The complete course of doctoral studies in the program is fully financed.

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The Max Planck School of Cognition offers an international four-year doctoral program starting on September 1st each year with a one-year orientation phase followed by three years of research for the doctorate (Figure 1). Students can enter the program with a bachelor’s (fast-track) or a master’s degree.

Figure 1. Overview of the four-year doctoral program at the Max Planck School of Cognition

Application

Applicants can enter our program from a variety of different scientific research fields (Figure 2). A bachelor's or master's degree is required, whereas bachelor's candidates need to complete a fast-track master's degree in the first year. Interested candidates can apply for a place in our School in the fall (see application ).

Figure 2. Variety of research disciplines of our Fellows

During the first year (the so-called orientation phase), emphasis is put on teaching and prolonged laboratory rotations usually in three different labs of fellows of the Max Planck School of Cognition . An important goal of the orientation period is that doctoral candidates acquire interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary perspectives on a selected common research theme (e.g., by combining artificial intelligence and cognitive neuroscience or psychology and basic anatomy).

Figure 3. Geographical distribution of the labs associated to the Max Planck School of Cognition

Lab rotations allow first-year doctoral candidates to explore several different research groups (Figure 3) associated with the School's program. The goal of this period is to support of further definition of individual research interests and in choosing a fitting laboratory where the doctoral research work in the following 3 years is conducted.

• Lectures Doctoral candidates are expected to attend basic scientific units presented in two categories: 1. E-learning  courses during which the essentials in a specific area are covered (Figure 4) 2 . Cognition academies (classroom weeks) in which doctoral candidates meet in person: a) a welcome week at the beginning of the first academic year to introduce the program of the Max Planck School of Cognition; b) three academies each year and between two to three teaching weeks long, on specific research topics

Figure 4. Basic courses during the first year (orientation phase)

Although the academic program is conducted in English, being able to learn the German language will be advantageous to all doctoral candidates. Thus, the MPSCog offers a German course to all its international candidates to reduce language barriers and improve their daily life.

The first year is completed with an evaluation of the performance of each doctoral candidate before one advancing to the doctoral 'research-phase' (i.e., second to fourth years). Only after successful evaluation, doctoral students select a faculty member for their supervisory team (see Supervisor Selection ).

Second and third year

• Doctoral research work At the beginning of the second year, doctoral candidates work together with their selected supervisor to develop a feasible and relevant project proposal, which will then be presented to a thesis advisory committee. After approval of the research plan, doctoral candidates start their individual project.
• Cognition Academies Doctoral candidates usually attend two academies per year, each of which lasts two weeks. Each academy involves one week of courses on advanced topics and one week of doctoral candidate, faculty, and guest speaker presentations on select research topics.

Fourth year

• Doctoral research work Students are expected to finalize their dissertation by the end of the fourth year
• Cognition Academies Students attend one cognition ‘academy’ involving presentations by faculty, students, and guest speakers on respective research topics
• Degree Doctoral degrees will be awarded by the university to which the supervisor of the respective candidate is affiliated 

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Application

How to apply for 2024 (cohort 18).

Please go to the page Requirements and read the page carefully. It explains the information and documents that will be requested during the application via our Online Application Tool. We only accept applications made through the Online Application Tool.

Please also read the FAQ Admission carefully. This section should answer the majority, if not all of your questions.

>> Please do not send any documents to us directly unless we specifically ask for them!

Online tool opens for applications for 2024

Thursday, 1 December 2023 , 00:01 a.m. CET

Internal link to our online applicaton tool

Application deadline for applications for 2024 (cohort 18)

Monday, 15 January 2024, 23:59:59 CET

Faculty available for supervision (this list will be adjusted in October 2023 for 2024): read here (internal link)

Information on funding opportunities: read here (internal link)

Timeline for the application and admission processes in 2024

The online application tool will re-open on 1 December 2023 and close on 15 January 2024, 23:59:59.

The online interviews for applicants researching the second round will take place on 22 March 2024 (via Zoom).

Invitations and further instructions for the interview stage probably will be sent out at the end of February 2024.

Successful applicants usually will receive their confirmation of acceptance within one week of interviewing.

The teaching period for the doctoral program starts at the end of September 2024 / 1 October 2024.  

Funding available for doctorates starting in 2024 (cohort 18)

• In 2024, two DAAD-GSSP four-year scholarships will be available for international students, see Funding .
• In 2024, a number of “Mind & Brain” Grant Packages will be available to the best applicants, see Funding .
• Students with an Einstein Center for Neurosciences (ECN) PhD Fellowship (separate application process, please check the ECN website ) may join the school after the first six months of lab rotations within the ECN program.
• Students accepted into our program but not selected for one of the aforementioned funding sources will receive intensive advice, support and in some cases tie-over funding in order to be able to successfully apply for and join the school with external funding/scholarships.
• Students may also apply and be accepted if they bring their own funding to the school, e.g. a scholarship from a funding organization or funding through their doctoral supervisor's projects.

For details on all of the above, see our iinternal webpages: FAQ Admission and Funding

M&B Admission Team [email protected]

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Bachelor Cognitive Science

Master cognitive science, online master cognitive science, master cognitive computing.

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Top content, welcome to the institute of cognitive science.

Over the last decades researchers of a variaty of disciplines have worked together to investigate mental processes and representations and build intelligent systems. Some of them right here at the intitute of Cognitive Science - and you can become part of it!

The Bachelor, Master and PhD programs in Osnabrück are the first substantial Cognitive Science programs offered in Germany. Within the largely method-oriented six-semester Bachelor Program, students will be able to obtain a " Bachelor of Science " in Cognitive Science. The four-semester Master Program treats phenomenological areas of cognition theoretically, empirically and by way of implementation. At the end of the Master Program, the students can obtain a " Master of Science " degree in Cognitive Science. The PhD Program is a curricular program enabling students to achieve a " Ph.D in Cognitive Science " within three years. Doctorate students carry out independent research in promising and highly active areas of Cognitive Science.

Impressions of the Study Program

Check out our video about the Cognitive Science study courses. Here, students will show and tell what your study experience may look like. 

To the video

This program is designed for you to explore the different fields within Cognitive Science, all while building a solid foundation in the core areas of Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Modelling, Computational Linguistics, Neurobiology, Neuroinformatics, Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind. 

Bachelor Cognitive Science: Read more

This Master Program allows you to refine your knowledge in Cognitive Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics and Computational Linguistics, Neuroinformatics and Robotics, Neuroscience, and Philosophy of Mind and Cognition. You will build on your research skills through lab rotations, a year-long study project, and your master's thesis.

Master Cognitive Science: Read more

The "Osnabrück Cognitive Science Master Online Studies" (OS-COSMOS) program is an online track to the Master Program for international students living outside of Germany.  You can major in Artificial Intelligence, Neuroscience, and Neuroinformatics.

Online Master Cognitive Science: Read more

The Cognitive Computing Program specializes in studying computational models of cognitive abilities. This course addresses working professionals who will continue to work in parallel to their studies. Graduates of this program are able to use their acquired skills for the development of innovative intelligent systems and services. 

Master Cognitive Computing : Read more

Last changed: 16. November 2022

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Psychology - Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience

Admission requirements, application documents, programme content.

Building on the B.Sc. Psychology, the M.Sc. Psychology with a focus on Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience provides key knowledge and methodological skills in the innovative and interdisciplinary fielt of Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience. In addition to experimental approaches, modern neuroscientific methods play a central role in this research programme. The programme deals with neuroscientific, cognitive, social, developmental and clinical topics and deepens your applied knowledge. You may empirically address particular resarch questions in small groups during project seminars.

Your studies are complemented by general modules providing methodological and diagnostic knowledge. These include techniques of systematic analysis, integration and assessment of specialised scientific literature, the development and application of diagnostic tools and hypothesis testing procedures.

The medium of instruction of most of the lessons is English.

Programme Structure

The master's degree will be your second professional qualification . The regular duration of the programme is four semesters during which different types of lessons (e.g. seminar, lecture, practice session) are offered in each module.

The master's programme is worth 120 credits (with each credit equating to 30 hours including in-class time, preparation, follow-up work, coursework and examinations).

The Psychology master's programme with a focus on Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience includes a methodological module, a diagnostic module, basic knowledge and applied knowledge in the chosen area of specialisation, a project module, a minor subject (required elective module), an internship and the master's thesis.

This Could Be Your Study Plan

* You can attend the lessons of the Basic Knowledge and Applied Knowledge modules flexibly throughout the respective semesters. ** You can attend the Minor Subject lessons depending on the semester in which they are offered (please note the respective module description).

• Excellent research: The Jena Institute of Psychology is particularly strong in research External link . Our Research concentrates on two major areas: Perception and Interaction and Development and Health .
• Outstanding teaching: In addition to the strong methodological focus, the programme is characterised by modern and internationally oriented teaching, which is also supported by numerous national and international cooperation and evaluation projects.
• Practical: The combination of first-class research and application projects with internships and theses helps our graduates seamlessly introduced in their targeted professional and research fields.
• Unlimited Opportunities: Experience internationality! Our university attracts students and academics from all over the world with attractive conditions and shapes Jena's character as a future-oriented and cosmopolitan city. These are ideal conditions for prospective international students.
• Adventure abroad: You can easily fulfil your dream of spending a semester abroad during your studies. Our university has a worldwide network of partner universities.

Behind the Scenes

After Graduation

By combining scientific research and practical issues, the master's programme prepares you for a professional career in different fields.

• Health sector (including neuropsychology und rehabilitation)
• Industry or non-profit organisations
• Schools and special schools and facilities
• Teaching and research centres

Downloads and Links

• Study regulations  de
• Examination regulations  de
• Admission regulations* pdf, 272 kb  · de
• Sample curriculum External link de
• Module catalogue pdf, 404 kb
• Application via Friedolin 2.0
• Master application guide pdf, 2 mb
• Application deadlines pdf, 207 kb  · de
• Timeline international pdf, 133 kb  · de
• Recognised English certificates pdf, 126 kb
• Recognised evidence of a subject-specific, specialisation-related scientific pdf, 154 kb

For this master's programme, you need a subject-specific bachelor of science degree (minimum 6 semesters/180 ECTS credits) in psychology or a comparable undergraduate degree in combination with a personal suitability for the programme. Your degree must include:

• 30 ECTS credits in psychological methodology, 10 of which in statistics,
• 40 ECTS credits of basic knowledge such as General Psychology, Biological Psychololgy, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology as well as Differential and Personality Psychology,
• Modules taken in at least two areas of application (e.g. Work and Organisational Psychology, Pedagogical Psychology, Clinical Psychology).

Altogether, your degree must include lessons or modules in psychology amounting to at least 150 ECTS credits.

If the number of applicants entitled to admission exceeds the number of available study places, they are admitted according to a ranking list established as the result of a selection procedure of the Faculty. The following criteria are considered:

• a) final grade of the first undergraduate degree,
• b) final grade of the higher secondary education certificate,
• c) the applicant's subject-specific, scientific suitabilty in the chosen area of specialisation (proof of which may be previous professional experience as student or scientific assistant and/or co-authorship of scientific publications).

For further information about the selection procedure please see the Admission Regulations (under the Download section).

English language proficiency at level B2

Your CV should have a tabular form, containing key information on your school record and academic career.

Please upload at the online application system your university entrance certificate/school leaving certificate. Usually, this means the school graduation diploma (German "Abitur"), i.e. the diploma that makes you eligible for studies at an University or other institution for higher education. Be mindful of the fact that here, we do not need any University diploma but a High School diploma! 

All previous University degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) if available before the application deadline - if not, please make a note of the anticipated date of issue of your degree certificate. Please upload your University degree or the most actual, detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of all semesters available to you, should you not hold your degree certificate at the time of application. The main document is the degree/ transcript based on which you apply for the master programme.

Detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of your first, subject-specific University degree, with which you apply for the master's programme (minimum requirement is the transcript/mark sheet up to the semester before the last). This trancript MUST contain an overall cumulative grade point average or average mark.

You need at least 135 credits (ECTS) by the time you apply.

For example:

• official letter from a university confirming previous professional experience as scientific assistant at a university of at least 90 hours,
• letter from the publisher or invitation to review the publication confirming your co-authorhsip of peer-reviewed scientific publications in scientific journals.

Additional application documents for international students

For German taught master's programmes, i.e. programmes with (predominantly) German as language of instruction, a sufficient German language proficiency proof is mandatory. Please see the information on the language requirements for the master's programme of your interest on the corresponding website. The Friedrich Schiller University Jena accepts the following certificates as German language proficiency proof exclusively:

• the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS),
• the Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (DSD II),
• the TestDaF, minimum TDN 4 in all four parts of the examination,
• Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH), min. level 2 (= DSH-2),
• Certificate telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule (min. level "befriedigend"),
• a German language examination in the framework of an assessment test at a preparatory college.

Please note: If you do not have the required mandatory German language proficiency proof at the time of applying, you may only apply if you can provide a certificate attesting your German language skills at least at level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) as well as a confirmation that you have either registered for the DSH examination, the TestDaF or an equivalent examination or that you have sat it and are going to receive the results before the end of the current semester. There is also the possibility to apply for the (chargeable) "German Language Course Preparing for the German Language Examination (DSH)" at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Please note: Prerequisites for the application for the preparatory course are language skills at least at the certificate level B1 / GER (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat B1, TestDaF at least 4x3 and/or 800 teaching units from a recognized language school). For detailed information on the application and further information, please visit the website of the International Office or contact the International Office directly via Mail .

Shortly before taking the DSH-2-Examination or after successfully passing it, you are welcome to apply for a German taught master's programme! The following applicants are exempted from providing proof of their German language skills:

• Applicants, who have obtained a German taught bachelor's degree within one of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This applies only to degrees that were awarded by a university in the relevant country (no satellite campuses or international branch campuses in other countries, no correspondence course degrees, no joint- or double-degrees with institutions in other countries);
• Holders of a German, Austrian or Swiss (from school where the language of instruction is German) university entrance qualification.

For the specialization in Cognitive Psychology , applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English language at level B2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). A recognized language certificate is mandatory.

Every mandatory application document from foreign/external countries must also be available in either English OR German translation. Such a translation has to be conducted by officially acknowledged/ sworn translators or translation offices.

External/foreign degree certificates/ transcripts of records must contain information on the grading system ( = description of the maximum grade possible and the minimum passing grade) used at the respective University. 

Applicants with degrees from India, Vietnam or China must submit the original APS-certificate issued by the German Embassy.

Applicants from the following countries must submit a certificate of their university entrance examination/college entrance examination:

• Iran (College entrance examination certificate or certificate of pre-university course/year)
• Republic of Korea/South Korea: SAT (Scholastic Ability Test)
• People's Republic of China: College entrance examination certificate ("Gaokao")

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Office hours: We offer consultations and the handling of your concerns in person as well as by Service Desk (ticket system), Zoom, live chat, post and telephone. Telephone consultation: Tuesday - Thursday 10 am - 11 am Personal consultation: Tuesday - Thursday 2 pm - 3 pm Live chat: mondays 10 am - 12 noon Ticket enquiries via Service Desk at: www.uni-jena.de/service-msz

Postal address: Friedrich Schiller University Jena Master Service Centre 07737 Jena

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100 Best universities for Cognitive Science in Germany

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Germany ranked based on their research performance in Cognitive Science. A graph of 3.79M citations received by 132K academic papers made by 113 universities in Germany was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Tubingen

For Cognitive Science

2. Heidelberg University - Germany

3. University of Munich

4. Technical University of Munich

5. University of Freiburg

6. University of Hamburg

7. Ruhr University Bochum

8. RWTH Aachen University

9. Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main

10. Free University of Berlin

11. University of Bonn

12. Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf

13. Humboldt University of Berlin

14. University of Wurzburg

15. University of Bielefeld

16. Charite - Medical University of Berlin

17. University of Erlangen Nuremberg

18. Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg

19. University of Konstanz

20. University of Lubeck

21. University of Marburg

22. University of Munster

23. Technical University of Berlin

24. University of Gottingen

25. University of Leipzig

26. Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

27. Dresden University of Technology

28. University of Ulm

29. University of Cologne

30. Saarland University

31. University of Giessen

32. Friedrich Schiller University of Jena

33. University of Regensburg

34. University of Potsdam

35. Darmstadt University of Technology

36. TU Dortmund University

37. University of Bremen

38. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

39. University of Mannheim

40. Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

41. University of Duisburg - Essen

42. Kiel University

43. University of Stuttgart

44. Osnabruck University

45. Hannover Medical School

46. University of Trier

47. Technical University of Kaiserslautern

48. Leibniz University of Hanover

49. Jacobs University Bremen

50. University of Koblenz-Landau

51. Braunschweig University of Technology

52. Chemnitz University of Technology

53. University of Kassel

54. University of Bamberg

55. University of Rostock

56. University of Augsburg

57. German Sport University Cologne

58. University of Greifswald

59. University of Hohenheim

60. University of Wuppertal

61. Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg

62. University of Paderborn

63. University of Siegen

64. Munich University of the Federal Armed Forces

65. University of Passau

66. Ilmenau University of Technology

67. Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

68. Catholic University of Eichstatt-Ingolstadt

69. Aachen University of Applied Sciences

70. Hamburg University of Technology

71. Witten/Herdecke University

72. University of Hagen

73. University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg

74. University of Erfurt

75. University of Bayreuth

76. University of Hildesheim

77. Bauhaus - University Weimar

78. Freiberg University of Technology

79. Leuphana University of Luneburg

80. Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

81. European University Viadrina

82. Munich University of Applied Sciences

83. Clausthal University of Technology

84. Munich School of Philosophy

85. WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management

86. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover

87. Zeppelin University

88. Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences

89. Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences

90. University of Applied Sciences Mittweida

91. Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg

92. College of Education, Ludwigsburg

93. University of Applied Sciences Dusseldorf

94. Folkwang University of the Arts

95. Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences

96. University of Applied Science Koblenz

97. TH Bingen University of Applied Sciences

98. Regensburg University of Applied Sciences

99. University of Banking of Frankfurt

100. Mannheim University of Applied Sciences

The best cities to study Cognitive Science in Germany based on the number of universities and their ranks are Tubingen , Heidelberg , Munich , and Freiburg im Breisgau .

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International Programmes 2023/2024

Neuro-Cognitive Psychology (NCP) Neuro-Cognitive Psychology (NCP)

Ludwig-maximilians-universität münchen • münchen.

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Courses are held in English (100%).

15 February for the following winter semester

The aim of the four-semester study programme MSc in Neuro-Cognitive Psychology (NCP) is to train a select group of about 20 students each year (recruited from around the world) in both methodological and conceptual topics in this neuroscience-oriented discipline of psychology, and to provide an education that competes with the best international programmes.

In the first two semesters, students study an optimally structured broad curriculum, learning state-of-the-art basic scientific knowledge. The second part of the programme provides students with the opportunity to specialise and expand their knowledge in particular modules by participating in one full-time research project and in advanced optional courses on current research topics in the third semester. The fourth semester is set aside for the writing of the Master's thesis.

More detailed information is provided on the NCP website: https://www.psy.lmu.de/ncp/

• International guest lecturers
• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad

In one full-time, supervised research project (the topic of which is derived from the context of the supervisor's current research and which is to be completed during the break between the second and third semester), students have the opportunity to bring together their acquired conceptual and methodological/technical knowledge and skills in independent work, under the guidance of their supervisor.

85 EUR per semester

Living costs (including accommodation and health insurance) in Munich range from 800 to 1,000 EUR per month.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in psychology, biology, medicine, or a closely related subject area. Also eligible to apply are students in the final year of their Bachelor's or equivalent degree courses, provided that the degree will be conferred prior to enrolment in this programme in the winter semester (October). German applicants who do not hold a Bachelor's degree must have successfully completed the "Vordiplom" or "Physikum" examinations in one of the subjects specified above and have completed two semesters of advanced-level courses ("Hauptstudium") by the date of enrolment in this programme.

The applicants' age should not exceed 27 upon enrolment. Exceptions are possible only under particular circumstances upon the decision of the admissions committee.

Applicants who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate English proficiency at level B2 by obtaining acceptable results in an internationally recognised test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, APIEL, CPE). Proof of higher education in English or residence of a reasonable length in an English-speaking country may also be acceptable upon the decision of the Admissions Committee. Language skills may also be evaluated during the personal interviews of selected candidates.

https://www.portal.graduatecenter.uni-muenchen.de/gsn/

There are opportunities to supplement your income by working as a student laboratory or research assistant ("Studentische Hilfskraft") on our council-funded research projects. This opportunity is open to all students, although some restrictions apply to students from non-EU countries (who are limited to a total of 120 full days/240 half days of work per year).

The International Office helps visiting academics, PhD students, and postdocs who are travelling to Munich for a set period of time to find accommodation.

For further information, please visit the following link:

https://www.lmu.de/en/study/important-contacts/international-office/index.html

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Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

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German Graduate Schools of Neuroscience

Welcome to our website. We represent a selection of German neuroscientific graduate schools and provide information about 29 international programs at a glance. The most relevant content of each program is available in this brochure

Legal notice

Ruhr-Universität-Bochum International Graduate School of Neuroscience Contact: [email protected]

Universität Bonn MSc Neurosciences Contact: [email protected]

Universität Bonn Bonn International Graduate School (BIGS) of Neuroscience Contact: [email protected]

Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Brain and Behavior Contact: [email protected]

Universität Bremen MSc Graduate Program Master of Neurosciences Contact: [email protected]

Max Planck-Institute for Brain Research International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neural Circuits Contact: [email protected]

Universität Freiburg Interdisciplinary Master of Science Program in Neuroscience Contact: [email protected]

Universität Freiburg PhD Program in Computational Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Contact: [email protected]

Universität Heidelberg International Graduate Program of the Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences Heidelberg Contact: [email protected]

Universität Köln MSc Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience Contact: [email protected]

Universität Köln MSc Neuroscience Contact: [email protected]

Universität Mainz Mainz Research School of Translational Biomedicine (TransMed) , Section Neurosciences Contact: [email protected]

Universität Oldenburg Master Programm in Neuroscience Contact: [email protected]

Universität Tübingen Graduate Training Center of Neuroscience Contact: [email protected]

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin School of Mind and Brain Contact: [email protected]

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin International Graduate Program Medical Neurosciences Contact: [email protected]

Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin International Graduate Program Computational Neurosciences Contact: [email protected]

Freie Universität Berlin Master Cognitive Neuroscience Berlin (MCNB) Contact: [email protected]

Justus Liebig University Giessen MSc Mind, Brain and Behavior Contact: [email protected]

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen European Neuroscience Institute MSc/PhD/MD-PHD Neurosciences Program Contact: [email protected]

Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences International Max Planck Research School on Neuroscience of Communication (IMPRS NEUROCOM) Contact: [email protected]

Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Max Planck School of Cognition Contact: [email protected]

Otto-von-Guericke Universität Magdeburg Integrative Neuroscience Contact: [email protected]

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München MSc/PhD Neurosciences Program Contact: [email protected]

Technische Universität München (TUM) Master Program Biomedical Neuroscience Contact: [email protected]

Universität Ulm MSc Program Molecular and Translational Neuroscience (MTN) Contact: [email protected]

Freie Universität Berlin

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• Our Degree Programs
• Master's Programs

Cognitive Neuroscience

- master´s programs.

[email protected]

Online-Studienfachwahl-Assistent

Master Program Homepage

Study and Examination Regulations (English translation ) on the Website of the Examination Office

Admission Requirements

For admittance to the master’s program applicants need to fulfill the following admission requirements:

• Bachelor`s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Computer Science, or passing grades on both sections of the licensing examination for physicians (Ärztliche Prüfung) or equivalent other university degree.
• Proof of English language proficiency ( CEFR Level C1 )

The admission is limited.

Further information can be found in the Admissions Regulations for the master's program in Cognitive Neuroscience .

There are no tuition fees. Students pay semester contributions each semester, which include a public transportation ticket.

The M.Sc. program provides students with thorough theoretical knowledge and broad methodological competencies in the field of cognitive neuroscience. On the one hand, this entails teaching of background knowledge in a variety of domains, such as perception, learning, memory, decision making, consciousness and language, with a particular emphasis on current research and developments. On the other hand, this entails teaching and applied learning of a large array of methodological skills, including planning and programming of neurocognitive experiments, conducting experiments using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and the statistical analysis of experimental data.

Why Study Here?

With the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience Berlin (CCNB), Freie Universität has numerous laboratories for behavioral and EEG experiments as well as a 3T fMRI scanner used for research and teaching. The CCNB's research groups work with a variety of neurocognitive recording methods and innovative analysis methods. Students are able to attend regular lecture series with international guests. The high quality and innovation in the research of the working groups of the CCNB is reflected in their international publication activities.

Basic Information

The study regulations provide regulations for the structure and sequence of studies. They contain detailed descriptions of each module's contents and qualification goals and provide an exemplary study plan. The examination regulations define the type and requirements of the module examinations and the Master thesis. In addition, the regulations specify the credit points (LP) for each module or course and the workload (in hours) for the entire study program.

The master's thesis is intended to demonstrate that students can independently work on and present a research problem using scientific methods. Upon successful completion of the study program, the university degree Master of Science (M.Sc.) is awarded.

Program Modules

• Module     Cognitive Neuroscience: Perception, Attention, Action, and Cognitive Control
• Module    Cognitive Neuroscience: Memory, Emotion, Language, and Consciousness
• Module     Cognitive Neuroscience: Research Practice
• Module     Neurocognitive Methods and Data Analysis
• Module     Probabilistic and Statistical Modelling
• Module     Introduction to Programming
• Module     Neurocognitive Methods Practical
• Module     Research Workshop
• Module     Research Experience
• Module    Elective Module (see department website for further details)
• Module    Master’s thesis and oral examination

Career Opportunities

The acquisition of a broad theoretical and methodological competence in the analysis and prediction of the neurocognitive basis of experience and behavior qualifies graduates for scientific activities in the field of basic and applied research with neurocognitive methods and for an academic career in the field of general and neurocognitive psychology, biological psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Graduates possess in-depth scientific knowledge and advanced professional skills.

• General Information
• Tuition fees

Application & Admission

Language requirements, program features.

• List of Universities

2738 Study programs

Study Neurosciences in Germany: 27 Universities with 42 English Degree Programs

All important info for international students in germany (2024/2025).

Expertise in the field of Neurosciences is in high demand, and the research landscape and innovations in this field are flourishing in Germany. One example of this is in the number of startups that were founded in the last years. For example, NeuroLife Medizintechnik is located in Essen and focuses on electronic stimulations to treat neuromuscular dysfunctions. Magdeburg-based, neotiv, developed new perspectives in Alzheimer’s research.

As a Master’s student in one of Germany’s English-taught programs in Neurosciences, you can be well prepared for a career in academia or on the private market: The courses offered typically include an internship, project phases or lab rotations to give you practical experience. The programs offered are ideal for students looking for a research-intensive course of study among a leading and vibrant community of neuroscientists. Use the StudyFinder to browse your options and see which programs fit your profile best.

Study Programs in English

Universities

Universities in International Rankings

€ 0 (39 programs for EU citizens, 35 programs for Non-EU citizens)

€ 6,000 per semester (1 program for EU citizens/Non-EU)

Winter Semester

between April 30 and March 31

Summer Semester

between May 15 and July 15

Top-ranked German Universities in Neurosciences

public University

No. of Students: approx. 51,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 (per semester)

public Technical University

No. of Students: approx. 47,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 - € 6,000 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 8,900 students

Program Fees: € 0 - € 4,500 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 36,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 - € 2,500 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 38,000 students

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Tuition Fees

3 english degree programs for neurosciences in germany.

University of Göttingen Göttingen

Cardiovascular science.

University of Oldenburg Oldenburg (Oldenburg), Stadt

University of Potsdam Potsdam

International experimental and clinical linguistics.

Application Deadlines

Winter Semester 2024/2025

Summer Semester 2024

Winter Semester 2025/2026

Open Programs

29 programs

42 programs

Application Requirements

Master degrees in Neurosciences are targeted at students who gained a first academic degree in Neurosciences or related fields such as Cognitive Science, Biology, Psychology, Physics, Computer Science, Biomedicine, Language Development, depending on the program’s specialization. For most programs, entrance tests or interviews are not part of the admissions process, you only have to hand in standard certificates (your first degree certificate, a transcript of records). These typically include your CV, a letter of motivation and sometimes an academic essay or references. Additionally, you will have to prove your English language abilities with a language certificate. Note that a number of programs require excellent English skills on a C1 level. For some programs, you will have to demonstrate additional prior knowledge in certain fields, such as statistics and quantitative research methods, experimental cognitive science, or sufficient knowledge in mathematics.

Application Modes

Application process.

Friedrich Schiller University Jena Jena

Molecular medicine.

Neurocognitive Psychology

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Mainz

International master of biomedicine.

TOEFL Scores

Cambridge Levels

5 (1 program )

72 (4 programs )

B2 First (FCE) (9 programs )

7 (3 programs )

95 (6 programs )

C2 Proficiency (CPE) (9 programs )

University of Cologne Cologne

Neuroscience, psychology - cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

Osnabrück University Osnabrück

Cognitive science.

3-6 semesters

→ View all programs with online courses

Master of Science

Master of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Winter intake

Summer intake

Winter & Summer intake

List of all German Universities offering English-taught Study Programs in Neurosciences

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Program Fees: € 0 - € 4,500

M.Sc. (Master of Science)

Freie Universität Berlin

Program Fees: € 0 - € 2,500

Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Program Fees: € 0

Goethe University Frankfurt

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

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