Master of Science in Neuroscience University of Oldenburg

• University of Bremen
• Aix-Marseille University, France

All courses are held in English.

The Master's programme in Neuroscience at University of Oldenburg provides in-depth training in the neurosciences. The programme is research-oriented and international. It aims to attract students with a variety of different Bachelor's degrees.

Our Master’s programme Neuroscience is devoted to basic science and mainly covers the nervous systems of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. The programme focuses on Sensory, Behavioural, and Computational Neuroscience. Students can choose to specialise within these areas or combine them with neighbouring disciplines.

In addition to theoretical and experimental neuroscience background knowledge, students acquire transferable skills and hands-on research experience in at least one research project prior to their Master’s thesis.

Four out of many distinctive characteristics:

• International: All courses in English, semester abroad is possible
• Science-oriented: Intensive hands-on modules in small groups and individual student projects connecting to ongoing research projects
• Interdisciplinary: Teachers & students with diverse backgrounds, joint courses with the Master's programmes in Biology, Neurocognitive Psychology, Molecular Biomedicine and Physics, Engineering and Medicine
• Flexible: There are no mandatory courses. Students design their individual curriculum from a large range of elective modules based on their interests.

The unique focus on Sensory, Behavioural, and Computational Neuroscience builds on our local strengths as reflected in a number of cooperative research and graduate education programmes. These established structures integrate basic biological research and applied research on sensory processes. Our Master's students are guided towards independent scientific work by direct interaction within internationally recognised research labs. The broad scope of sensory research also offers a wide range of methods to learn, from molecular genetics to electrophysiology, anatomy, and behaviour, and from mathematical modelling to modern imaging techniques. Finally, our teaching faculty directly reflects the multidisciplinary nature of neuroscience, providing a unique choice for developing individual strengths and interests.

Students who are specifically interested in molecular or in cognitive psychology should consider our "sister programmes" in Molecular Biomedicine or Neurocognitive Psychology, which are also offered at University of Oldenburg.

This Master's programme lasts two years and cannot be studied online. It consists of intensive full-time modules.

Courses start yearly in mid-October. For international students, it is highly recommended to arrive in Oldenburg by 1 October and take part in the international orientation week (first week in October) and the programme-specific orientation week for first semester neuroscience students (second week in October).

During the first six weeks of the semester (mid-October until end of November), two introductory courses (Neurobiology and Python) are taught. They provide the basis for all other modules and are streamed online if any of the first semester students experience visa problems. All students must arrive in Oldenburg by the end of November.

First semester application (only winter semester)

30 April (non-EU degree)

• Application via uni-assist e.V.

15 July (German degree)

• Online application via "Bewerbungsportal"

15 July (EU degree)

• Application via uni-assist eV

Higher semesters: 

15 July and 15 January

The programme takes two years to achieve 120 ECTS credit points. All courses are elective. One research module and a Master's thesis are mandatory and can be chosen from a broad variety of topics.

Courses can be selected according to your individual preference for topics and types of modules:

Background modules: Provide background knowledge on a neuroscientific topic. Courses for eight to 20 students are organised in full-time blocks of two to seven weeks and usually comprise lectures, seminars, and hands-on practical experience. A minimum of 30 credit points must be acquired in background modules.

Research modules: These are individual student research projects in the supervisor's lab. The aim is to practise independent research, including experiments, background literature, and presentation of results. One research module has 15 ECTS and typically consists of six to eight weeks lab time plus time for preparation and for writing the report. Research modules are taken in one of the neuroscientific research groups at University of Oldenburg. External projects at a university, research institution, or a company science laboratory, either in Germany or abroad, are also possible. A minimum of 15 credit points must be acquired in research modules.

Skills modules: Professional skills beyond the specifics of neuroscience are developed in courses for up to 24 students. Topics include programming and statistical data analysis, science communication and ethical discussions. A minimum of six credit points must be acquired in skills modules.

Electives: Of course, all courses of the MSc Neuroscience curriculum are eligible to complete your transcript to a total of 120 ECTS. Alternatively, up to 30 ECTS (one semester) can be chosen:

• From a list of pre-approved modules from related Master's programmes, e.g. Biology, Neurocognitive Psychology, Molecular Biomedicine and Physics, Engineering and Medicine, or the MSc programme in Neurosciences at University of Bremen.
• Upon individual approval by the programme director, further modules from other Master’s programmes at University of Oldenburg or other universities in Germany or abroad. Hence, up to one semester course work can be studied at an international university.

For further details or examples of different individual curricula, please visit our website: https://uol.de/en/master-neuroscience/curriculum.

The programme includes a scientific English course, and six ECTS of additional language courses are credited (e.g. German courses for non-native speakers). The programme covers fees for German courses for international students.

Participants are not required to study abroad, but they are welcome to complete an external research module, an external Master's thesis or one semester abroad on an individual basis. International mobility grants are available from the study programme and from the university as well as from our partner institution Aix-Marseille University in France.

At least one research module (15 ECTS) has to be completed during the Master's programme. This module can be accomplished as an internship at the University of Oldenburg,  or at any other university, research institution, or science-oriented company, if the topic of the project fits into the scope of evaluation by one of the teachers involved in the programme. It is possible to choose up to three research modules as electives.

No tuition fees

The semester contribution amounts to approx. 420 EUR. This includes a semester ticket for free public transport.

You should be prepared to spend about 1000 EUR per month to cover personal expenses (accommodation, health insurance, food).

A detailed list of current fees and expenses can be found at https://uol.de/en/study-in-oldenburg/finances.

Mandatory qualifications / documents:

• Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree, e.g. in neuroscience, biology, natural sciences, or engineering.
• If you are still in the process of completing your degree, at least 150 credit points must be documented. (In this case, the Bachelor's diploma must be handed in during the first semester.)
• At least 12 credit points must have been obtained in neuroscience, and a further 12 credit points in mathematics, statistics, or programming. (We also acknowledge certificates from extracurricular online courses.) Up to six credit points in one of these two broad areas (neurosciences or mathematics, statistics, programming) may be acquired in catch-up individual studies parallel to the first semester of study.
• Applicants must produce proof of English proficiency (details below).
• The completed specific eligibility form must be included with your application.

Advantageous qualifications:
The admissions committee evaluates the applicant based on the documents supplied. The specific eligibility is determined by a ranking based on the sum of points from categories A and B, which are outlined below. If the score is equal, a lottery determines the ranking.

Category A:
German grade average of Bachelor's degree (calculation of German grade is done by uni-assist)

• 1.00 - 1.29 (6 points)
• 1.30 - 1.49 (5 points)
• 1.50 - 1.69 (4 points)
• 1.70 - 1.89 (3 points)
• 1.90 - 2.19 (2 points)
• 2.20 - 2.49 (1 point)
• 2.50 - 4.00 (0 points)

Category B:
Further points can be obtained through additional qualifications.

• Scientific project experience (BSc thesis and scientific projects in neuroscience) up to 1.5 points
• Relevant specialised knowledge (at least 18 ECTS in neurobiology and 12 ECTS in statistics, programming or mathematics) up to 1 point
• English language skills (proven English proficiency C1 or higher; not older than two years) 1 point
• Relevant professional experience (inside or outside of the university) 0.5 point
• International experience (study-related stay abroad outside the home country for at least 1 semester) 0.5 point
• Special academic achievements (proven publication, award or prize for academic achievements) 0.5 point
• Commitment (proven voluntary social or community commitment for at least 6 months) 0.5 point

Please make sure to include all relevant supporting documents in your application, including the completed eligibility form. These are the only basis for the admissions committee to evaluate your specific eligibility.

Sufficient knowledge of English at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) must be demonstrated for the degree programme. Proof is provided by a first university degree in an English-language degree programme in a country with English or German as an official language or in an EU country, or successfully completed tests for level B2 or higher. In particular, the following are recognised: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English Language Assessment, UNIcert, TOEIC, TELC, university-internal language test of the Language Center of the University of Oldenburg or another German university. Other certificates are permitted, provided that they demonstrate sufficient language qualification. The proven qualification may not have been acquired more than two years ago at the time of application, provided that the evidence submitted proves level B2. If the evidence submitted shows a language competence higher than level B2, the language competence must not have been acquired more than six years ago.

First semester application (only winter semester)

30 April (non-EU degree)

• Application via uni-assist e.V.

15 July (German degree)

• Online application via "Bewerbungsportal"

15 July (EU degree)

• Application via uni-assist eV

Higher semesters: 

15 July and 15 January

There are no full-time funding opportunities for the whole duration of the course of study. However, there are funding opportunities for specific study phases:

International students can apply for a STIBET scholarship, which provides financial support of up to 500 EUR for four months during their final phase of studies (usually the Master's thesis). Students with remarkable volunteer commitment, or with refugee background can apply in earlier semesters.

All students who study a semester abroad, who do an external research module abroad or who participate in an international conference can apply for international mobility grants by the study programme and the university.

Students are permitted to work while pursuing their studies. If you are a student from a non-EU country, you are allowed to work 120 full or 240 half working days per year.

German language skills are advantageous for finding student jobs outside of the University.

Information and support for finding accommodation in a student dorm or a private place is provided by the Student Service Organisation ("Studentenwerk") of University of Oldenburg: https://www.studierendenwerk-oldenburg.de/en/accommodation.

Students who are enrolled can also use the notice board in the Stud.IP learning platform.

More information on housing and other relevant aspects of organising your stay is provided at https://uol.de/en/study-in-oldenburg/organise-your-stay.

• Yearly "Neuroscience Career Day"
• Individual advice from the programme coordinator
• General career advisory service and career day by the university

Please visit https://uol.de/en/io/study-in-oldenburg for the service offered by the university (e.g. international orientation week, buddy programme, and International Study Entry Phase support programme).

The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg was founded in 1973, making it one of Germany's young universities. Its goal is to find answers to the major challenges society faces in the 21st century – through interdisciplinary, cutting edge research.

The distances on the Oldenburg campus are short. The university's academic staff and administrative staff work closely together, using an interdisciplinary approach. Many are integrated into special research areas, research groups, and European clusters of excellence.
The university cooperates closely with more than 200 other universities worldwide and is also affiliated with non-university institutes in the areas of research, education, culture, and business.

The University of Oldenburg is preparing over 15,000 students for professional life. It offers a broad range of disciplines, from language studies, cultural studies, and the humanities to educational sciences, art, and musicology; the economic and social sciences; mathematics; computer science; the natural sciences; and the medicine and health science programmes.

Oldenburg regards itself as a modern city in a modern society. Interest in communication with people from all over the world is an important part of our identity. We also value being open towards newcomers who want to join our community. We appreciate internationalism and cultural diversity as an opportunity for us all.

Irrespective of whether you want to enjoy Oldenburg as a tourist, student, future business owner, or permanent resident – you are always welcome!

There are many reasons to come to Oldenburg. In contrast to many other cities in Germany, our population is actually on the steady increase. With its many creative and ambitious projects, initiatives, and businesses, Oldenburg has become established as the region's motor for progress and development.

We believe that knowledge is the key to success. The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, the Jade University of Applied Sciences, and dedicated electrical engineering, IT, and police training colleges evidence our strong position in the field of higher education.

The economic focus of the city is on the service sector and advanced technology, with special emphasis on the fields of sustainable energy generation and distribution. The regional IT sector is also renowned for its creativity and innovative power.

For further information, please visit the following website: https://www.oldenburg.de/sprachversionen/gb/tourist-information.html.