Cognitive Science (MSc) Ruhr-Universität Bochum

The entire curriculum is offered in English.

However, some optional classes with German as the teaching language can be attended as well.

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.:

• What are the basic mechanisms of learning, forgetting, and remembering?
• What are the principles of action guidance in humans, and how do we understand the actions of others?
• What is the role of emotions in cognitive processing?
• What are the neural processes underlying object recognition?
• What does it mean to possess concepts and to be rational?
• How did the cognitive capacities of humans and animals evolve?

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:

• social cognition
• learning and memory
• perception and action
• language, logic and categories

Key methods of research in the Master's programme in Cognitive Science at RUB include:

• philosophical theory formation
• behavioural and neuroimaging studies
• statistical analysis/experimental psychology lab
• basic and advanced logic
• computational modelling

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.

Attendance on-site is mandatory for certain classes.

15 July for the following winter semester

RUB registration portal opens approx. beginning of June.

The two-year Master's programme in Cognitive Science at RUB is organised in six different module types.

First semester
Introduction:

• Introduction to Cognitive Science
• Soft Skills Module

Basic methods (two or three methods modules must be taken, depending on the students’ academic background):

• Introduction to Philosophical Method
• Introduction to Programming
• Introduction to Statistics

When two basic methods modules are sufficient, one additional module is taken in Free Choice.

Second semester
Core:

• Core Module Mind & Language
• Core Module Brain & Behaviour
• Core Module Computation & Artificial Intelligence

Free Choice

Third semester
Focus (two out of three modules are selected):

• Focus Module Mind & Language
• Focus Module Brain & Behaviour
• Focus Module Computation & Artificial Intelligence

Research:

• Research Module

Free Choice

Fourth semester
Master's thesis

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We 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.

A mandatory practical course is included in the Master's Cognitive Science programme. This can be done in a research group of the RUB, in research departments of other institutions in Germany or abroad, or at a suitable company.

No tuition fees

Students have to pay a social contribution fee of approx. 330 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in Germany (https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/re-registration-and-social-contribution).

Minimum of 950 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses in Germany

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:

1. Cognitive science
2. Psychology
3. Philosophy with a strong focus on analytic philosophy, especially philosophy of mind, epistemology or philosophy of science (at least 15 ECTS)
4. Neuroscience
5. Computer science
6. Linguistics
7. Mathematics
8. Biology with a focus on neurobiology or bioinformatics (at least 20 ECTS)

Subjects that are not included in the list are considered relevant if they have a clear focus on cognitive science (e.g. neurobiology or neuroinformatics) or if they include courses amounting to 60 ECTS that are clearly related to cognitive sciences in terms of content.

 If the Bachelor's programme consists of two (or more) subjects, one of the relevant subjects listed above must have been completed to the extent of at least 60 ECTS. Additionally, a minimum of 15 ECTS in a second subject from the list must be completed.

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:

1. UNIcert II (grade 2.0 or better)
2. IELTS 6.5 (with at least a 6.0 in all four subcategories)
3. TOEFL iBT 85 (with at least 18 in all four subcategories)
4. FCE (grade A or B, respectively C or B2)

Test certificates have to be uploaded by the applicant via the application portal. Do not send any hard copies. Language certificates must not be older than two years at the day of application.

No test certificates are required

1. If you are a citizen of the following countries:
   1. Australia
   2. Canada (excluding Quebec)
   3. Ireland
   4. New Zealand
   5. United Kingdom
   6. United States of America
2. If you have obtained your Bachelor’s degree in English and the programme lasted for at least three years and your graduation dates back no more than two years

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.

15 July for the following winter semester

RUB registration portal opens approx. beginning of June.

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/scholarship-international-students.

In the city of Bochum, you can find different types of accommodation. On average, students in Bochum pay approximately 350 to 600 EUR per month for a single apartment, which is below the average rent in Germany. A room in a shared apartment is usually less expensive.

About 5,000 students in Bochum live in multiple student halls close to the campus, which are run by the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ). In the halls, students have their own single room and share a kitchen and bathroom with other students, they rent an apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen, or they share an apartment with one or several flatmates. 

More information on the student halls can be found at https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/wohnen.

In addition, 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.

https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en