The entire curriculum is offered in English.
However, some optional classes with German as the teaching language can be attended as well.
Attendance on-site is mandatory for certain classes.
Before the actual courses start in the beginning of October, there are on-campus preparatory courses that you should attend.
15 July for the following winter semester
RUB registration portal opens approx. mid-May/beginning of June.
Cognitive science is a dynamic, interdisciplinary area of research. The driving questions within cognitive science focus on the theoretical understanding and empirical investigation of cognitive phenomena, e.g.:
The two-year Master's programme in Cognitive Science at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) offers a unique opportunity to enter into the fascinating field of cognitive science. It combines systematic and empirical approaches from philosophy, psychology, neural computation, psychiatry and the neurosciences. Students will be trained to use and combine different methodological approaches in order to gain new insights into key problems in the field of cognitive science and generate interdisciplinary solutions to solve them.
Key topics of research in the Master's programme in Cognitive Science at RUB are:
Key methods of research in the Master's programme in Cognitive Science at RUB include:
The programme is formally hosted by the Faculty of Psychology, but relies on strong interaction between several departments. Therefore, we can offer interdisciplinary classes as well as hands-on research experience in philosophy, psychology, neural computation, psychiatry and the neurosciences.
The two-year Master's programme in Cognitive Science at RUB is organised in eight different modules and a Master's thesis as module number nine.
First semester:
A1: Introductory Lecture (one lecture + one seminar)
BM: Basic Methods: (three courses out of the four methods)
C: Topic Selection I (three courses out of the four topics)
Second semester:
AM: Advanced Methods (two courses with two different methods)
C: Topic Selection II (five courses out of the four topics)
Third semester: (five courses) - or optional exchange semester at a foreign university with individual study programme to be approved
I: Interdisciplinary Research Area (Students choose at least two focus modules from four areas which include philosophy, psychology, computational modelling and neuroscience.)
P3: Proposal for Master's thesis
Fourth semester: Master's thesis and examination
PDF DownloadWe highly recommend a semester abroad. This includes the option to take classes or conduct the Master's project outside of Germany. The RUB International Office and the administration of the Master's in Cognitive Science programme provide advisory support with any organisational issues.
Moreover, we encourage students to actively participate in international conferences or attend international summer/spring schools. Our programme offers some financial support for students participating in eligible events.
Internships are optional but strongly recommended.
Students have to pay a social contribution fee of approx. 360 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Minimum of 950 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses
Students with outstanding academic performance who are involved in special social activities can receive 300 EUR per month for a year from the Ruhr-Universität Scholarship Fund “Deutschlandstipendium”: https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/deutschlandstipendium-information-students. International students with good to very good academic performance who need financial support during the final phase of study can receive a graduation grant of 500 EUR per month for six months from the International Office at RUB: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/graduation-grant-international-students.
The minimal condition for application is a Bachelor’s degree from a university inside the EU with at least 180 ECTS or an equivalent degree from outside the EU. The following subjects are considered relevant for the programme:
If the applicant’s Bachelor programme consisted of two subjects, at least one of those subjects has to be considered relevant (see list above) and must have been studied for at least 60 ECTS. The second subject has to provide at least 15 relevant ECTS.
The programme is taught entirely in English. All students are required to provide proof of English proficiency. We require a proficiency level of at least B2+. German is not a requirement.
The following tests are accepted as proof of English proficiency:
Test certificates have to be uploaded by the applicant via the application portal. Do not send any hard copies.
If you have completed a language test that is not listed here and can proof equivalency, please send an e-mail to cogsci-info@rub.de to inquire whether this test can be accepted as well.
No test certificates are required if
German participants need proof of English proficiency just like non-German applicants. The German Abitur does not count. Furthermore, if your language of instruction in school was English, yet you do not fulfil any of the other conditions, you are still required to submit a language test.
Language certificates have to be verifiable at the final application day.
15 July for the following winter semester
RUB registration portal opens approx. mid-May/beginning of June.
In the city of Bochum, you can find a variety of affordable and pleasant accommodations. On average, students in Bochum pay approximately 350 to 400 EUR per month for a single apartment, which is below the average rent in Germany. A room in a shared apartment is available from around 270 EUR.
About 5,000 students in Bochum live in 18 student halls close to the campus, which are run by the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ). In the halls, each student has his or her own single room and shares a kitchen and bathroom with other students, or alternatively, a student can rent an apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen or share an apartment with one or several flatmates.
More information on the student halls can be found at http://www.akafoe.de and https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/wohnen.
In addition, eight private and church-affiliated student halls accommodate up to 1,000 students: http://www.stuwo.de/wohnheim-region/bochum/.
The RUB career service offers personal coaching and some events and workshops to support students regarding their future career. Moreover, the administration of the MSc programme Cognitive Science organises Alumni talks and offers personal consulting.
The International Office provides information and gives advice to all prospective and current international students.
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