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Neurocognitive Psychology - Master's Programme
Orientation and Goals
The Master's programme Neurocognitive Psychology, a research-based psychology program taught in English, is offered by the Department of Psychology. It is aimed at international and German students who are pursuing an English-language degree in the field of (neuro)psychology. The degree programme also includes a variety of applied components and practical parts. Graduates should be able to:
- analyse, document, and form hypotheses based on complex bodies of data.
- administer psycho-diagnostic tests and present the data collected.
- independently and competently use special techniques and methods to solve problems in a variety of different research areas.
- place their action in a larger context and follow ethical guidelines.
- work in a team, apply project and time management strategies, and apply interdisciplinary thinking.
Study Design and Contents
This programme consists of a basic or general component (45 ECTS credits), a specialisation component (24 ECTS credits), a practical part (21 ECTS credits), and a master's thesis. All students take the basic or general core component (Basiscurriculum), which includes research methods, psychological diagnostics, computation in neuroscience with MATLAB, scientific work, as well as an elective subject.
There are a number of possible choices to be made in the specialisation area, generally encompassing a free combination of modules from research and application oriented areas, depending on interest. There is an especially extensive range of study offerings in the field of applied and experimental cognitive neuroscience, reflecting the focal points of research in the Department of Psychology.
Module overview
General part (mandatory): 45 ECTS credits
- Research methods I & II 12 ECTS credits
- Neuropsychological Diagnostics 6 ECTS credits
- Test Theory and Test Construction 6 ECTS credits
- Communication of scientific results 6 ECTS credits
- Computation in Neuroscience 9 ECTS credits
- Minor 6 CP
Specialized part (choose 4*6, or 2*9 + 1*6;
taking a methods module is strongly recommended): 24 ECTS credits
- Transcranial Brain Stimulation 6 ECTS credits
- Neurophysiology (EEG) 6 ECTS credits
- Neurocognition 6 ECTS credits
- Sex and Cognition 6 ECTS credits
- Neuropsychology 6 ECTS credits
- Applied Cognitive Psychology 6 ECTS credits
- Human Computer Interaction 6 ECTS credits
- Functional MRI Data Analysis 9 ECTS credits
- Ambulatory Assessment in Psychology 6 ECTS credits
- Clinical Psychology 9 ECTS credits (voluntary clinical contents partly taught in German)
- Study abroad Psychology/Neuroscience 2x 6 ECTS credits (to accredit modules from a study abroad)
Restrictions in participant numbers apply for each elective module. There is no guarantee that students can take all modules of their choice.
Project part (internship mandatory; choose 1 practical project): 21 ECTS credits
- Internship or lab visit 12 ECTS credits
- Practical project 9 ECTS credits
(choose from: Applied Neurocognitive Psychology, Psychological Methods and Statistics, Experimental Psychology, Neuropsychology, Biological Psychology, Ambulatory Assessment in Psychology)
Master's part (mandatory): 30 ECTS credits
- Master's thesis 27 ECTS credits
- Master's colloquium 3 ECTS credits
Total: 120 ECTS credits
Teaching and Learning
All modules are offered in English. Students are integrated into research activities from the beginning on. A great emphasis is placed on the acquisition of practical career skills (in research and application) through the nine-weeks internship.
Reasons for Studying
- close cross-linking of neuroscience, neurobiology and medical physics
- international, English-taught psycholgy programme
- international research cooperation
- state-of-the-art neuroscience and psychology labs (fMRI, EEG, TBS, MEG, fNIRS)
- strong interest in research and methodological training
Foreign Language Skills
German language skills are not required for admission. However, working with test subjects and patients requires knowledge of the German language. German courses are offered free of charge at the university.
In order to study this course at the University of Oldenburg, you need an adequate knowledge of English.
English Language Proficiency see admissions regulations
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B2; language skills better than level B2 are strongly recommended
- if applicants are native speaker or they have a university degree in an English-language degree programme obtained in a country with English or German as the official language (within the last two years)
The proof of language proficiency must be presented for the enrolment. For other proof possiblities see: Language requirements
Careers and Areas of Employment
This programme qualifies graduates for careers in the area of psychological and neuroscientific research in an extraordinary manner, and prepares them accordingly for the doctoral programme and/or for employment in research related positions. Additionally, this degree qualifies graduates for employment in institutions that carry out counselling, diagnostics, and rehabilitation of neuropsychiological disorders (for example rehabilitation clinics, as well as neurological and psychological
clinics). Furthermore, students are prepared for employment in areas in which the processing aspects of human behaviour and decision making are important, such as human machine interaction, user adaptability of computers, or cognitive aspects of ergonomics, e.g. human engineering.
Target Group/Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in a closely related degree programme with a corresponding focus (at least 90 ECTS credits) and specialist skills (see admission regulations).
- English language skills: an English-taught university degree from a country with English or German as an official language or an English language certificate at the level B2 of the Common European Framework (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) or tests of a language centre of a German university.
- Completed additional form (included in the online application)
- If applicable, certificates concerning internships or activities as a student assistant, the subject of the Bachelor's thesis, proof of programming knowledge, certificates pertaining to a stay abroad, certificates showing social commitment and civic spirit.
For more details see Foreign language skills on this page.
Application/Admission Procedures
This course of studies accepts a limited number of applicants, and application is only possible in the winter semester.
The application deadline for the winter semester is 15 July with a German Bachelor's degree or with German or EU citizenship or for a higher semester. Applications for the 1st semester from outside the EU must be submitted by 31 May.
Overview application deadlines Master's programmes
International applicants: There are different application procedures