To apply for this Master's programme, you will need to register in Studielink and subsequently apply through the application system SIS before the mentioned dates, even if you have not yet completed your Bachelor's programme.

Start your application procedure in time

We strongly advise you to apply as early as possible, a week before the deadline at the latest, as registration in Studielink and SIS, paying the required application fee and arranging for all documents will take several days.

Please note, applications received after the deadline will not be considered for admission.

Deadlines

Applying is possible from 1 October on.

* Are you a current Bachelor's or Master's student at a Dutch higher education institution? Then the deadline mentioned under “EU/EEA students” applies: 30 April 23:59 CET.

Read more about visas and permits

Deadline with a UvA Scholarship

Please note that if you want to apply for a UvA Scholarship, other deadlines for application to the Master's programme apply.  

Prior education

Depending on the track of choice the applicant must hold a Bachelor degree or equivalent.

• Translational Neuroscience track: Bachelor's degree in Psychobiology, Biomedical Science, Biology or equivalent
• Cognitive Neuroscience track: Bachelor's degree in Psychobiology, (Cognitive/Biological) Psychology, Cognitive Science or equivalent.
• Cognitive Science track: Bachelor's degree in (Cognitive) Psychology, Cognitive Science, Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics, Philosophy of Mind or equivalent.

Applicants with another Bachelor's degree may also be admitted to the Research Master provided they have an adequate academic background in the field of neuroscience and/or cognitive sciences.

Motivation

Motivation is assessed on the basis of a written letter of intent. Prepare a letter of intent (up to one page) seeking a place in the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Master Programme describing your academic interests and reasons for applying. Applicants' prior academic coursework should demonstrate their active interest in cognitive and/ or neural research.

References

Because of our competitive applicant pool, letters of recommendation hold substantial weight in our admissions decisions. Applicants must submit the name and emailaddress of two referees from academic staff members: these people should know you well professionally or have taught you in a subject that is related to the field, listing the applicant's ability to conduct independent research and report on the results.

The Research Master Brain and Cognitive Sciences uses a specific format for the letters of recommendation. In the application form you can submit the names of the referees and their email addresses. They will receive a link to the specific format and will be able to fill it in. This needs to be filled out digitally. It is the student’s responsibility that the referees are aware of the process and that they have submitted their letter of recommendation to go along with the application. The referees will receive a reminder after two weeks. If they still do not respond, the admissions committee will consider your dossier incomplete and your application will not be taken into account.

Grade point average and additional requirements (GPA)​​​​

In addition to the admission requirements referred to above, the student has to comply with the following requirements:

You have an overall grade point average (GPA) equivalent to at least:

• 3.0 (American system)
• 2.1 (a second class upper/division one degree in the British system)
• 7,5 (Dutch EC-system)

The GPA is the average of the Bachelor’s course grades weighed by course/study load.

English language proficiency

All information regarding the English language proficiency obligations can be found here: English language proficiency.

Deadlines for English test results

The deadline for submitting a sufficient English proficiency test result is the same as the application deadline for the selected Master's programme. Applications submitted without a sufficient English proficiency test result will be kept on hold.

Extracurricular activities

For this the applicants need to submit a resume (cv), listing among others the activities they did in addition to their studies. You can think of the following activities: (voluntary) jobs, board membership, conference attendance, relevant research experience or other activities that could be relevant for your application for this Master's programme. Note that extra-curricular activities are not obligatory, but desirable for distinguishing yourself from other applicants.

Overall Impression

For the overall impression the board of examiners takes the six points mentioned above into account, in addition they will look at such things as interest / experience in research, interdisciplinary focus, interest in cognitive processes, future ambitions.

Before you can apply to the UvA, you will need to submit an enrollment application through Studielink. Studielink is the national online system for students who aim to enroll in a degree programme at a Dutch institute of higher education.

Check your DigiD (before starting in Studielink)

A DigiD (Digital Identification) is an online ID that provides access to government administration websites.

• Students who do not live in the Netherlands can use Studielink without a DigiD
• Students who currently live in the Netherlands will need their DigiD to use Studielink. We strongly recommend you to apply for your DigiD at least three weeks before registering in Studielink.

Important: While selecting the Master's programme of your interest in Studielink, make sure to select the regular programme (option 1). Do not select option 2 (after a temporary termination of enrolment) or option 3 (elective) if you are a degree seeking student. You will select the track of your interest later on in SIS.

After submitting your enrolment application in Studielink, you will receive an email with your UvAnetID. This can take up to 48 hours. Follow the instructions in the email to activate your UvAnetID as you will need it to complete your UvA application.

After submitting an enrolment request in Studielink, you will receive an email within 48 hours with a link to submit your application in SIS. To log in to SIS, you will need your activated UvAnetID. Please fill out the application form, upload the required documents, pay the application fee (if applicable), and submit your application before the application deadline.

Please note: Completing all the steps may take a few days. You might also need to look for or request certain documents. We therefore strongly recommend that you start well in advance.

Documents should be uploaded in PDF format. A complete application consists of the following documents:

1. A self-written motivation letter in English (max. 500 words).
2. Your curriculum vitae in the English language. Please ensure that all previous education, including high school, is included.
3. A copy of your Bachelor's transcript in Dutch, English, German or French and in the original language.
4. A copy of your Bachelor's diploma/certificate or an official graduation statement in Dutch, English, German or French and in the original language. Please include a (self-made) list of courses in your final year, if you have not yet completed your current academic programme.
5. A summary of your Bachelor's thesis/project in English (if applicable). 
6. Two email addresses of referees. Please make sure they are notified and available for contact via email. We need to receive the reference letters within two weeks after submitting your application. Important: no reference letter will be accepted or dealt with after the application deadline.
7. Proof of English proficiency. 

In case any of the above-mentioned documents are missing, your application will be considered incomplete, and we cannot continue with your application.  

All students applying for a Master’s programme with an international Bachelor’s diploma are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Paying the application fee is the last step in submitting your application.

You can pay the €100 application fee by credit card (Mastercard, Visacard), PayPal, Bancontact or iDEAL/Wero. Only after payment of this fee, you will be able to submit your application.

You don't have to pay the application fee: 

• If you have of will obtain a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (HBO). 

• If you have already applied and have paid the application fee for another Master’s programme at the UvA for the same academic year. 

• If your tuition fee will be paid by the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF). If so, your application fee will be refunded.

The application fee is non-refundable. You are not entitled to a refund even if you do not submit your application form, or if you submit an application form after the deadline (which will not be taken into consideration), or if you submit an incomplete application.

As soon as you have submitted the (sufficiently) complete online application in SIS, it will be evaluated by our Admissions Board. It differs per programme how long it takes before your are informed about the decision on admission. An admission will always be conditional as we must still verify your documents (consult step 9).

Important: Students from outside the EU/EEA (including Switzerland) who are not selected for a place in the programme, may not be eligible for the waiting list if the deadline for visa and residence permit applications has passed.

Accept 

If you meet all the entry requirements and the Admissions Board has approved your application, we will send you a letter of conditional acceptance by email. Please accept your offer in SIS within 2 weeks. If you do not respond to your offer within 2 weeks, we cannot continue with your admission process (and visa request if applicable). Please note that accepting the offer does not oblige you to start the programme. You will still be able to withdraw your enrolment request in Studielink until August 31.

Decline 

Please remember to cancel your Studielink enrolment request if you reject the offer in SIS.

Defer 

It is not possible to defer your admission to the next academic year. A new enrolment is required for each academic year as entry requirements may change.

If you are (conditionally) admitted to a Master’s programme, we must verify your previous education. Please click on the link below for more information on how to do this.

You will need to arrange a variety of practical matters before starting your Master’s programme. This includes your visa or residence permit, insurance and housing.

After your application you will receive information by means of email on how to complete your registration and how to apply for a visa or residence permit, if needed. 

A student ID card is a personal card which serves as proof of identity for examinations or borrowing library books. You will receive instructions on how to request your student ID card.

In order to complete your enrolment for a degree programme at the UvA, you will need to pay the tuition fee.