This two-year, research-focused Master’s (MSc) is taught in English and delivered on campus in Oldenburg. It provides systematic coverage of core areas in psychology with specialized, in-depth training in cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology. Teaching is classroom-based and international — you can expect regular contact with faculty and fellow students from many countries and the chance to build an enduring professional network.
You will select from a broad range of research and applied modules aligned with the department’s active research programme and take part in ongoing projects on topics such as multisensory integration, auditory perception and noise exposure, brain oscillations and behaviour, cortical plasticity, individual differences in cognition and social cognition, ambulatory assessments of hearing and cognitive decline, non-pharmacological interventions and neuromodulation, neurophysiology of everyday tasks, motor imagery and neurofeedback for neurorehabilitation, brain–machine interfaces, pharmaco-neuroimaging, and statistical modelling of brain–behaviour associations. Hands-on experience in modern neuroscience facilities (fMRI, (mobile) EEG, TMS/tACS, MEG, fNIRS) is a core element. A mandatory internship at an external research institute, clinic, public agency, company or consultancy helps you shape a practical career path. Note: the programme is not clinically oriented toward psychotherapy and does not confer a licence to practise psychotherapy in Germany.
The course admits relatively small cohorts (about 45 students per year), benefits from an interdisciplinary teaching staff and active student body, and offers a wide selection of minor-module classes (for example, neuroanatomy, music cognition, psychiatry, German language). Mobility and networking opportunities include ERASMUS+ study exchange agreements with European partner universities and membership in the Network of European Neuroscience Schools (NENS), which provides mobility and travel grants, access to courses and schools, and internship funding. Graduates move into a variety of careers: roughly half continue to doctoral studies, while many of the rest work in clinical/neuropsychological settings or applied fields. Typical career paths include academic research (PhD), research positions in psychology and neuroscience, neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation roles in hospitals and rehab units, human–machine interface and usability work, cognitive ergonomics, and data science.
Key facts and requirements
Program structure and overview This two-year (four-semester) research master’s is built from modular blocks and requires 120 credit points (CP) in total. The curriculum is front-loaded with compulsory courses; as the programme progresses the number of mandatory modules falls, giving you more freedom to shape your studies in the later semesters. The course combines a broad general component, a flexible minor, a specialised methods/elective section, and an extensive practical research component culminating in a master’s thesis and colloquium.
Key modules, methods and study focus The general (mandatory) portion (45 CP) includes core research training: computation in neuroscience (hands-on work with MATLAB and PsychoPy), advanced statistics, psychological assessment and diagnostics, and scientific communication. Programming and data-analysis tools (Matlab, R, PsychoPy) are explicitly taught and, together with statistics, form a substantial part of first-year study hours. The Minor lets you broaden your profile by taking courses either within psychology or in related disciplines. The specialised section (24 CP) offers method- and topic-oriented modules you choose according to your interests — examples include EEG neurophysiology, fMRI data analysis, transcranial brain stimulation, human–computer interaction, ambulatory assessment, neurocognition, clinical psychology and applied cognitive psychology. Study-abroad modules can be credited (2 × 6 CP).
Practical training and recommended preparation Practical experience accounts for 51 CP: a mandatory internship (12 CP; 360 hours) that can be completed in clinical settings, companies, or research groups that employ psychologists; a practical research project (9 CP) usually carried out in one of the Department’s laboratories (external projects possible); and the master’s thesis plus colloquium (30 CP). Because many practical projects and thesis topics require competence in a specific empirical method, the programme strongly recommends taking at least one methods module in EEG, fMRI, transcranial brain stimulation (TBS), human–computer interaction (HCI) or ambulatory assessment. Overall learning outcomes emphasize rigorous research design, hands‑on data-collection and analysis skills, programming for cognitive neuroscience, and the ability to present and defend original research.
Requirements — concise summary
This Research Master’s program requires a solid background in psychology or closely related disciplines, plus specific coursework and/or practical experience in statistics, experimental work, and core psychology/neuroscience topics. Admissions are competitive and use a points-based ranking that combines academic grade(s) with documented additional qualifications. International applicants should pay attention to ECTS equivalences and language/translation rules when assembling their file.
If you lack certain statistical competencies, you may be admitted conditionally and asked to complete an extra statistics module. All required coursework and experimental experience in general/cognitive psychology and biological psychology/neuroscience must be demonstrated when you apply. Do not submit letters of motivation or recommendation — they are not requested. A self-assessment test to check your suitability is available on the program’s website.
Minimum academic eligibility
Required documented competencies (must be proven at application)
Selection procedure and scoring
Documents to include with your application
Other notes
Winter Semester (International)
30 April 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Graduates are well prepared for research-oriented careers and further academic training: approximately 50% of alumni continue into doctoral programmes, while many others secure roles in clinical or applied settings within a few months after graduation. The programme does not confer a license to practice psychotherapy in Germany.
Typical career paths include academic research (PhD), positions in psychological and neuroscience research groups, neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation in hospitals and clinics, roles in human–machine interaction, usability and cognitive ergonomics, and data-science-related positions that require advanced quantitative and computational skills.
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