MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience (MCNB)

Freie Universität · Berlin, Germany

Level
Master's
Award
Master of Science
Language
English
Duration
4 semesters
Campus
Berlin
Apply by
<p>Each year from the middle of April to to the end of May</p>
Starts
Winter semester

Freie Universität does not publish a fee for this programme on its own. Its published rate for master's programmes is €0 a year for international students.

Entry requirements and how to apply

Entry requirements
Admission to the MCNB programme is highly competitive and bound to a series of necessary preconditions. Applicants necessarily need to meet the following criteria: Bachelor's degree in psychology, neurosciences, cognitive science, data science, mathematics, physics, biology, computer sciences, or first two parts of the Certificate of Physician Exam (Ärztliche Prüfung) or equivalent Proof of English language proficiency The admission process consists of three steps, from the initial application in April/May to a final admission decision by the end of July (tentatively). Admission to the MCNB programme follows a downward point-based ranking ranging from 100–0 selection points (SP), with 100 being the top score. Grades of the undergraduate programme will be transferred to a point score of up to 60 SP. (see the grade conversion table ) Promising applicants will be invited to personal interviews. The admission committee will evaluate the motivation and qualification of prospective students by means of these interviews and award them up to another 40 SP leading to a maximum amount of 100 SP. Please visit our department website for more information.
English language requirement
C1 required, please provide an official language certificate, e.g.: IELTS Academic: 7 TOEFL iBT (since 2026): 5 Reading: 5 Listening: 5 Speaking: 5 Writing: 5 TOEFL iBT (before 2026): 95 Reading: 24 Listening: 22 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24 Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced UNIcert® English: UNIcert® III PTE Academic: 76
German language requirement
No minimum language level required
Application period
Each year from the middle of April to to the end of May
Apply through
• uni-assist • Website

About this programme

The MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience (MCNB) Master's degree programme is an international programme offered by the Department of Education and Psychology at Freie Universität Berlin. MCNB is a research-focused consecutive Master's programme that aims to provide students with the theoretical and methodological skills to qualify for a career in applied research in general and neurocognitive psychology, biological psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. Candidates complete 9 compulsory modules (75 ECTS) + elective modules (15 ECTS) and a Master's thesis (30 ECTS). The programme is divided into two phases, study and research , which correspond to the two years of the programme. During the first year, in the study phase , the students are expected to take courses covering the programme's core themes. The study phase aims to provide an in-depth theoretical introduction to the three research themes and equip the students with appropriate methodological skills for the research phase. In the research phase , the students will have the opportunity to pursue their own research projects under the supervision of the programme’s faculty members. In the second year of the programme, the class schedule will be reduced to a week of class or one or two sessions a semester.

Related pages

Other degree programmes at Freie Universität