Master

The Master Program consists of 120 ECTS credits, 30 of which refer to the Master thesis. In the second and third semester, students participate in a students' project. The Master Program is completed with a Master thesis in the fourth semester and leads to a "Master of Science (M.Sc.)" degree in Cognitive Science.

The 90 ECTS credits of coursework comprises of

• a one-year study project (24 ECTS)
• coursework from the focus areas (44 ECTS, with 20 ECTS per selected focus area)
• coursework from free electives (22 ECTS)

The language of instruction is English (level B2 or higher required). We particularly encourage international students to apply for the Cognitive Science program.

 exemplary study plan MSc Cognitive Science (PDF). (PDF, 229 kB)

Applicants with a Bachelor degree (or a comparable degree) in Cognitive Science can be admitted to the Cognitive Science Master's Program at Osnabrück University.

Applicants with a Bachelor degree (or comparable degree) in a related field, such as the life sciences, computational linguistics or linguistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, medicine, neuroscience, philosophy, psychology or a field with a high degree of information technology content may also apply to the Master's program. The admission board decides on a case-by-case basis whether or not such an applicant can be admitted to the Master's Program. A Bachelor's degree in a related field does not automatically make an applicant eligible for being admitted to the Master's program.

Applicants are required to have a good command of English in order to understand lectures, participate in discussions, and take examinations. Applicants can demonstrate that they have attained level B2 in the English language according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) in the following ways:

• the relevant level of English proficiency was already an admission requirement for the earlier Bachelor’s degree, or
• the applicant has already successfully completed an English-language undergraduate or graduate degree program, or
• English was the language of the education system of the applicant at the time they earned their higher education entrance qualification, or
• the applicant has passed a language test at level B2 (CEFR) (for possible language tests and the corresponding points required, see:  language certificates at Osnabrueck University).

Note: Usually, applicants who have taken the German "Abitur" satisfy the requirement B2.

For details see  Regulations.

Where can I upload my motivational letter?

You can upload your motivational letter in the online application tool under the “Additional Files” section. If you have missed this option, you can alternatively send it to the admission committee via  ikw-master@uni-osnabrueck.de.

Do I have to send in my documents in paper or is it online only?

All applications and required documents must be submitted online only. The application portal provides clear and informative guidance through the entire process. Documents should be uploaded in PDF format within the specified deadlines. No postal submissions are required.

When will I be informed about admission?

Unfortunately, we cannot give you a clear answer for when you will get feedback on your admission. The time frame for receiving your admission decision varies. Processing can take several weeks due to multiple administrative steps, including: 

• Initial checks by uni-assist (for international applications). 
• Formal requirements being verified by the university’s admissions office.
• Evaluation by the admission committee.
• Processing of the admission by the admissions office.

We recommend being patient, as replying to inquiries about the status of the admission by email usually does not contribute to speeding up the process.

When is the next registration timeslot starting? / When can I register for the winter / summer term?

The application portals typically open 2-3 months prior to the application deadlines: 

• Winter term: June 15 (application deadline for international students)
• Summer term: December 15 (application deadline for international students)

We advise you to also check the website of the University for information about the opening of the application portals and potential extended deadlines.

When is the deadline for registration?

For students with German university entrance qualifications or German citizenship: 

• Winter semester: July 15th
• Summer semester: January 15th

Apply via the university’s online application platform:  online application

For international students:

• Winter semester: June 15th 
• Summer semester: December 15th

Apply through the uni-assist service ( ASSIST) and complete the required  application form (PDF, 116 kB).

Which requirements do I need to fulfill for application?

To apply for the Cognitive Science Master’s program, you must have: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science (or a comparable degree). 
• Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., life sciences, computational linguistics, computer science, AI, mathematics, neuroscience, psychology, philosophy). 
• Sufficient proficiency in English (see below).
• In addition, you may not already have a Master’s degree in Cognitive Science

Note that a degree in a related field does not guarantee admission. According to §4(3)1 of the  Regulation on Access and Admission the admission board evaluates applicants with related degrees on a case-by-case basis, determining whether the prior degree is sufficiently comparable to a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science to qualify applicants for the consecutive interdisciplinary Master’s program.

Can I send my application documents prior to applying via uni.assist to check whether I would be accepted if I would apply?

Please do not send us your documents by email prior to the regular application to ask whether your application would be successful in case you would apply. The decision about admission is made by the admission committee after the formal application and cannot be preempted by an informal process beforehand.

What counts as proof for my language skills?

Applicants must demonstrate B2-level English proficiency (CEFR). Proof can be provided in one of the following ways: 

• English was required for your prior degree’s admission.
• You completed an English-language degree program.
• English was the primary language of education at the time of your higher education entrance qualification.
• You passed a language test at B2 level (see  Language Test Requirements).

Note for German applicants: A German “Abitur” typically satisfies the B2 requirement. For detailed information about the admission process and regulations, please consult the  current admission regulations.

Will I be accepted with my background?

The admission committee evaluates each application individually based on: 

• Your academic background. 
• Relevant coursework and skills developed.
• Alignment of your background experience with the Cognitive Science program.

Applicants should usually have prior knowledge from at least two of the sub-fields of Cognitive Science.

Please do not send us your documents by email prior to the regular application to ask whether your application would be successful in case you would apply. The decision about admission is made by the admission committee after the formal application and cannot be preempted by an informal process beforehand.

Tips for applicants who do not have a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science: 

• Submit a letter of motivation explaining your relevant background and interest in Cognitive Science.
• Highlight academic work and extracurricular experiences related to Cognitive Science.
• Mention non-academic achievements or additional qualifications (e.g., internships, industry experience, online courses) related to Cognitive Science.
• Provide additional course certificates or similar documents for the additional qualifications obtained.

The program requires an interdisciplinary background within the different subfields of Cognitive Science. Typically, a prior degree in just one relevant field of study (e.g., psychology, computer science, philosophy etc.) without a significant amount of ECTS obtained in other fields will not be considered comparable enough.

In some cases, applicants may be admitted with the condition of completing additional basic courses from the Cognitive Science Bachelor’s program during their first two semesters. Students with conditional admittance who fail to complete these courses cannot re-register for their third semester.

Is there a limited amount of spots for international students?

There is no specific number or percentage of international students we accept each semester. The decision about admission is solely based on the requirements detailed in the Regulation on Access and Admission summarized above.

How many students are accepted for the Masters program?

There is no fixed number of students admitted. The decision about admission is solely based on the requirements detailed in the Regulation on Access and Admission summarized above.

Can I visit the University before applying?

Yes! Prospective students are welcome to visit the university. Here are your options:

• Contact the  mentoring team to arrange a visit (availability permitting). 
• Attend the consultation hours or visit in-person during regular semesters
  • During the semester, no appointment is needed
  • Outside of the semester, appointments are required

Join the “Try Out Studying” (offered in June/July). This includes:

• Attending lectures for half a week.
• Social events (e.g., picnic or barbecue, city and campus tour, game night etc)
• Living with a current student.
• Find more details  here​​​​​​​.