Mind, Brain and Behaviour Justus Liebig University Giessen

Partners include national (e.g. University of Marburg, Technical University of Darmstadt) and international collaborations in academia (e.g. Canada: York University/Toronto, Western University/London, and Queen's University/Kingston). Examples of our industry partners include German Aerospace Center, Mentalab, Meta, Schlenk, SR Research, Thomas Recordings, and VPixx.

All courses and the Master's thesis are in English.

Understanding human perception and behaviour is one of the greatest challenges facing science. Fuelled by recent advances in artificial intelligence, there is a growing need in numerous application areas for expertise in methods and models addressing this mystery. Our programme will prepare for a career in behavioural measurement, human-machine interface design, VR, autonomous driving, cognitive robotics, AI, machine learning, and other domains.

Mind, Brain and Behaviour is an international research-oriented study programme taught in English language at Justus Liebig University Giessen in Germany. The programme is designed to provide essential skills for a career in academia or industry in the fields of psychology, cognitive neuroscience or the behavioural sciences, and it combines theoretical and hands-on methods courses. Theoretical courses on selected topics are taught by renowned experts. Hands-on courses cover a range of key empirical methods for measuring and modelling neural and behavioural processes of perception, action, and cognition.

Theoretical courses cover multi-sensory perception, action and cognition, and their development during infancy and childhood, as well as the perception of objects, colour and materials.

Hands-on courses cover functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography (EEG), measurements of eye and body movements, computer graphics, virtual reality (VR), computational modelling and machine learning.

An internship and elective modules help students to shape their professional profile according to their preferences. Examples of these modules include Quantitative Foundations of AI, Creativity and Entrepreneurship, Technology and Innovation Management, or Scientific Programming and Data Analysis.

Lecturers include renowned scientists Katharina Dobs, Katja Dörschner-Boyaci, Katja Fiehler, Roland W. Fleming, Karl Gegenfurtner, Benjamin de Haas, Martin N. Hebart, Daniel Kaiser, Bianca van Kemenade, and Gudrun Schwarzer.

JLU Giessen is one of only a few institutions in Germany to have a Collaborative Research Centre in Psychology (Cardinal Mechanisms of Perception) and is consistently ranked among the top places for vision science worldwide.

15 June

The study programme comprises theoretical and application modules in selected topics from neuroscience and behavioural science, together with key empirical methods for measuring and modelling perception, neural processes, and behaviour. In total, students complete four theoretical and four (out of five) application modules.

In the first two semesters, students complete the four theoretical modules and three of the application modules, together with two elective modules. In the third semester, they finish their final application module and spend nine weeks of practical training in research or industry. The fourth semester is dedicated to completing the Master’s thesis.

Theoretical modules

• Visual Perception of Colour and Materials
• Perception and Action
• Visual Cognition and Object Perception
• Current Topics in Cognition and Development

Application modules

• Programming
• Capturing and Emulating the World
• Computational Modelling
• Imaging and Recording Brain Activity
• Measuring Human Behaviour

Elective modules

Two elective modules can be selected from the courses offered by other study programmes of the Justus Liebig University Giessen, specifically from Economics, Data Science, Psychology and Human Movement Analytics.

Master’s thesis

Students complete their theses in the final semester, typically on an experimental research project in one of the associated research departments.

Justus Liebig University Giessen has bilateral agreements within the EuRopean Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students (Erasmus) with many European universities to allow students to gain academic and personal experience in other European countries, broadening their cultural horizons, improving their foreign-language skills, and acquiring fresh perspectives in their subject areas. Additionally, there are exchange agreements at faculty level, for example, with Bilkent University in Bilkent, Turkey, and York University in Toronto, Canada.

The students will complete a self-organised nine week practical training within industry or academia related to the programme.

No tuition fees

402 EUR (winter semester 2025/26, varies slightly with each semester)

The current semester contribution can be found here: https://www.uni-giessen.de/en/org/admin/departments/b/5/studoffice/sc.

Approximately 900 EUR

Current academic admission and application requirements are available at https://www.uni-giessen.de/de/studium/master/mbb.

Current language requirements are available at https://www.uni-giessen.de/de/studium/master/mbb.

15 June

Financial aid for international students at JLU in the closing phase of their degree: A partial scholarship is possible for three to six months, amounting to 300 to 450 EUR per month (funding phase starting in April or May every year). A Presidential Commission will decide on the awarding of the scholarships based on academic achievements, indigence, social or intercultural commitment, recommendations from academic staff and compliance with formal requirements. More information: https://www.uni-giessen.de/en/international-pages/study/grants/closingphase?set_language=en

Competitive applications for student/research assistant positions in associated JLU research labs

Students may apply for a room in a shared flat or a single room in the halls of residence or search for private accommodation. More information via www.uni-giessen.de/acc

Career Service and special opportunities for international students: www.uni-giessen.de/en/faculties/research-centers/zfbk/career_services/

Information available at https://www.uni-giessen.de/en/international-pages/international-pages?set_language=en