The application portal for the winter intake typically opens in late February. Deadlines may vary slightly from year to year. For international applicants, the application period usually ends in late April, while applicants holding a German bachelor’s degree can typically apply until late August.

Specific deadlines for the Winter 2026/2027 intake:

• International applicants: February 27 – April 30, 2026
• Applicants with a German bachelor’s degree: February 27 – August 30, 2026

Our program is highly interdisciplinary, and we welcome applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds. The Admissions Committee evaluates the specific knowledge and skills each applicant brings, particularly in the following areas: Mathematics & Statistics, Programming, Psychology & Neuroscience, Linguistics, and Philosophy.

Applicants with degrees in related fields are encouraged to apply. In your motivation letter, you should clearly explain how your academic background and previous experience have prepared you for a Master’s in Cognitive Science. You should also outline your specific goals and your motivation for applying to this program.

Please note that we cannot assess eligibility in advance. We kindly ask that you refrain from sending individual inquiries about whether your degree is suitable. All applications are reviewed carefully and evaluated collectively by the Admissions Committee.

Applicants whose degree program was conducted entirely in English are exempt from this requirement. Proof of this must be provided when submitting the documents. If your previous degree was taught 100% in English, you may submit an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter or an equivalent document confirming this.

There is no formally defined minimum GPA or fixed cutoff score for admission to the M.Sc. in Cognitive Science. The Admissions Committee instead conducts a comprehensive and holistic evaluation of each application, taking into account the applicant’s academic background, relevant coursework, and letter of motivation, among other criteria. 

Applicants should be aware, however, that the program is highly competitive; accordingly, a strong academic record is typically characteristic of successful applicants.

If you have been admitted but are unable to begin your studies due to visa delays or unforeseen personal circumstances, you may request to defer your admission. Please note that admissions are valid for one academic year.

You must notify the admissions office via email as soon as it becomes clear that you cannot join the current intake.

No. Please be advised that official enrollment must be completed in person on campus before the start of the semester.

The Master’s program in Cognitive Science commences only once per year, specifically in the Winter Semester. If you are unable to complete your enrollment on-site by the designated deadline (e.g., due to visa delays or other personal circumstances), you will not be able to begin the program in the current year. In such cases, you will be required to wait until the following Winter Semester to start your studies.

If it becomes clear that your visa will not be granted in time for the enrollment deadline, please refer to the Admission Deferral section above.

Course enrollment is handled through the KIS system and OLAT. 

Exam registration periods are strictly enforced each semester. You must register via the QIS portal during the designated window. 

The specific dates for registration are announced officially via Rundmail (university-wide email) sent to your RPTU student account. Please ensure you check your university email regularly. It is the student’s responsibility to stay informed of these dates. 

Registration for courses in the Computation Module works differently than for other modules.

Please download the course selection form (by clicking here). Fill out the form with your desired courses. Sign the completed form and send it directly to Prof. Daniela Czernochowski (d.czernochowski@rptu.de) by email.

The courses you select must total at least 12 ECTS credits.

Lab Rotations and Method classes are designed to be completed in parallel, typically during the Winter Semester (3rd semester).

• The structure of Lab Rotations varies significantly depending on the research project and the specific methods involved. Some rotations span an entire semester with fixed commencement dates (essential for equipment training and safety protocols), while others are organized as short, high-intensity blocks.
• Detailed information regarding available projects, laboratory space organization, and specific methods will be officially announced either at the conclusion of the preceding Winter term or at the beginning of the Summer term.

• Year 1 (Winter/Summer): Complete Basic Modules and Content Seminars.
• Year 2 (Winter): Complete Lab Rotations & BM3 (Method Classes) (reaching 72+ ECTS).
• Year 2 (Summer): Register and complete your Master’s Thesis.

It is important to note that the examination format for the Computation module differs from the other modules slightly.

Linguistic, Cognition, Perception and Neuroscience modules conclude with a single, comprehensive oral examination once the required coursework is finished.

But there is no single oral examination for Computation module. Instead, credit is earned through partial exams (written or oral, as specified by the lecturer) for each individual course selected within the module.