Charité Medical Faculty; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience; Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig
English (100%)
31 May for the following winter semester (starts 1 October)
Applications can be submitted only once a year, usually 1 – 31 May.
The Mind and Brain international Master’s programme at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin provides training in the interdisciplinary field between neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, and philosophy. We provide students with in-depth knowledge and skills in cutting-edge empirical research, modelling, and philosophy.
The main research fields at the Berlin School of Mind and Brain (such as decision-making, perception, attention, consciousness, language, brain plasticity, lifespan ontogeny, brain disorders, mental dysfunction, and social cognition) can only be successfully studied by integrating the expertise and techniques from various disciplines. Our teaching programme systematically demonstrates how interdisciplinary research can tackle the “big” overarching question of the mind and brain sciences, while at the same time keeping an eye on detailed research questions in the individual fields.
The curriculum includes (among others) neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, methods in cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuroscience, language and the brain, decision-making, memory, motor and cognitive control, neuroscience of free will, social neuroscience, consciousness in neuroscience and philosophy, (embodied) cognition, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of science.
Being taught entirely in English, the Mind and Brain Master’s programme offers two different types of degrees: the Brain Track leads to a Master of Science (MSc) and the Mind Track leads to a Master of Arts (MA). Students must decide upon one of the two tracks (Brain Track or Mind Track) when applying.
The major difference between the Mind Track and the Brain Track lies in their different approaches to empirical research: Students in the Brain Track are trained to conduct empirical research projects autonomously, whereas students in the Mind Track focus on the theoretical, particularly philosophical, examination of neuroscientific research.
Course Details
The core of the Mind and Brain Master's programme is made up of nine core modules (neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, cognitive neuroscience, research methods, empirical research training, ethics, philosophy of mind, language and the brain, clinical neuroscience, and neuroimaging) that are taken in the first and second semesters. Each module consists of a lecture and a more in-depth seminar. Students have to select seven out of these nine core modules.
The focus themes (module 10) and the research consolidations (modules 11 and 12) follow the core courses and further build on them. Every semester, the Master’s programme offers a selection of elective courses / seminars from which students can choose classes for these modules according to their own interest.
The voluntary semester abroad is to be taken in the third semester. The courses taken during this semester are devised and agreed upon together with the international partners involved.
First Semester Modules
Second Semester Modules
Third Semester Modules (the third semester may be spent abroad)
Fourth Semester
Participants may spend the third semester abroad. The courses taken during this semester are devised and agreed upon together with the international partners involved.
Lab rotations (Brain Track only):
Brain Track students spend 2 x 300 hours in neuroscience research labs.
Approx. 240 EUR administrative fee per semester (includes public transport ticket)
Generally, Berlin is not a particularly expensive city. However, Berlin is still very popular. Thus, prices are rising and housing has become much more costly and hard to come by over the past few years. Master’s students should calculate at least 1,000 EUR per month for housing, subsistence, the university's administrative fees (payable once a semester, they include public transport; see above), and insurances.
A Bachelor's degree in psychology, philosophy, psycholinguistics, biology, neuroscience, cognitive science, or a related subject is required.
Admission requirements may be subject to change! Therefore, the following websites should be read carefully before applying:
http://www.mind-and-brain.de/master/read-first/
http://www.mind-and-brain.de/master/admission/
http://www.mind-and-brain.de/master/frequently-asked-questions-faq/
Proficiency in English (B2 level)
The Mind and Brain Master’s programme is conducted entirely in English. Proficiency in English must be proven with a recognised language certificate. (Please read FAQs on website.)
The dated certificate must state the testing facility and achieved level as well as the date of the last exam.
(I) International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 5.5
(II) (Internet-based) English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 72
(III) English for International Communication (TOEIC):
- Speaking and writing: 310
- Listening and reading: 785
(IV) Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE)
(V) Cambridge English: Business Vantage (BEC V)
(VI) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
(VII) Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
(VIII) Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC H)
(IX) International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE)
(X) International Legal English Certificate (ILEC)
(XI) BULATS – Business Language Testing Service: 60
(XII) DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Language Certificate
- a minimum of C in all skills or
- **** (4 stars) in all skills
(XIII) UNIcert® II certificate: 3.0, UNIcert® III or IV
(XIV) LCCI (London Chamber of Commerce and Industry) English for Business (EFB): level 3
(XV) Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE): 51
(XVI) Language certificate from recognised German institutions of higher education for level B2 (with at least four contact hours per week) and a minimum grade of 2.3
Further certificates are listed here:
http://www.mind-and-brain.de/master/admission/
Proficiency in German is not required.
31 May for the following winter semester (starts 1 October)
Applications can be submitted only once a year, usually 1 – 31 May.
International applicants apply online via uni-assist:
https://www.uni-assist.de/en/how-to-apply/apply-online/
Required documents and further information:
http://www.mind-and-brain.de/master/admission/
Although it is a demanding Master's programme, it is possible to work one day each week.
Berlin has a large market of apartments for rent. Apartments, or single rooms in shared accommodation, have recently become much more expensive and difficult to find. Prices for a room in a shared flat or for a one-room studio range from 450 to 750 EUR, depending on the district in Berlin and the amenities provided.
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is one of Germany's Universities of Excellence. In an international comparison, Humboldt-Universität ranks among the top ten German universities. Scientists at Humboldt-Universität research socially relevant topics and challenges of the future and communicate these with the public. Humboldt-Universität invests all of its energy into being a place of excellent research and teaching. Its aim is to promote young talent and to positively influence society and the economy outside of the university framework.
Every year, around 6,000 young people decide to embark on their studies at Humboldt-Universität in the heart of Berlin. There is hardly any other place where students can choose from the same variety of degree courses. Among these degree courses are several international Master's programmes featuring lectures and seminars held in English.
As a first-rate university, international exchange for both research and study programmes is a matter of course. Humboldt-Universität boasts academic partnerships with more than 400 Erasmus partners in Europe and with over 150 university partners worldwide. It also has partnerships with two Erasmus Mundus programmes. Over 1,500 mobile students participate in its four Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Windows programmes.
Every year, about 800 academics from abroad spend time at Berlin's oldest university. Additionally, researchers from Humboldt-Universität are welcomed at various international universities, where they conduct projects or field studies and teach as guest lecturers. Humboldt-Universität helps students prepare to study abroad, providing consultation to international students and academics regarding all questions relating to their stay in Berlin. Through the creation of international networks, Humboldt-Universität plays an active role in furthering intercultural research and teaching.
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