To apply for this Master’s programme you will need to register in Studielink AND apply for the programme at the Faculty of Science through DataNose before the mentioned dates, even if you have not completed your Bachelor’s programme yet.

Start your application procedure on time

We strongly advise international students to apply as early as possible, as the registrations in Studielink and DataNose and getting all documents ready will take several days.

Additionally, affordable accommodation is scarce in Amsterdam. Although the University of Amsterdam can assist in finding accommodation but cannot give any guarantees regarding housing, early applicants do have a slightly bigger chance in finding a room through the UvA than late applicants.

Given the additional paperwork and arrangements that international students need to make upon selection, we recommend non-EU/non-EEA students to apply before 1 February at the latest. For international students from the EU or EEA, we recommend before 1 May at the latest.

Deadlines

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.

• Behavioural 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 two letters of reference from academic staff members, a person who knows you well professionally or has 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 your referee’s name and his/her email. 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 referee is aware of the process and that he/she has submitted the letter of recommendation to go along with the application. Applications without reference letters 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

Your ability to write and speak in English must be at an academic level. To prove your level of English please provide us with your scores of one of the following tests:

• the TOEFL Test

• the test of the International English Language Testing Service (Academic IELTS)

• a Cambridge Examination Score  (C1 Advanced (CAE) and C2 Proficiency (CPE).

The TOEFL iBT Home Edition can only be used if you are residing in a country where all test centers of ETS (Toefl) are closed due to internal problems.

The IELTS Online Academic, Indicator and One Skill Retake test are not accepted.

Students with a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch university and students who successfully finished a full academic programme at an esteemed institute in one of the following countries are exempt: UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

For more details about the English language test and required scores, please visit English language proficiency.

Deadlines for English test results

For both non-EU and EU/EEA+Swiss students: the application deadline for the Master programme of your choice will also be the deadline for submitting an English proficiency test result.

In addition: your application will be dealt with when we receive a sufficient English proficiency test result (see English language requirements under the (‘Application and Admission’ page).  Our International Admissions Team will keep your application on hold until we have received this test result.

Note that if you want to apply for a scholarship from the UvA other deadlines (may) apply.

Extra curricular 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 enrolment application in Studielink. Studielink is the national online system for students who would like to pursue a degree programme at a Dutch university.

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.

Read the step-by-step guide to Studielink

Before starting your enrolment application in Studielink, read the 'Step-by-step guide to 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. Note that the track of your interest can be selected later on in DataNose.

Within 48 hours after submitting your enrolment application in Studielink, you will receive an email with your UvAnetID and an email with instructions for the next step of the application process. You need your UvAnetID to continue with your application. Follow the instructions in the email to activate your UvAnetID as you will need it to complete your UvA application.

If you apply for a master’s programme organized by the Faulty of Science of the University of Amsterdam, you first need to pay your application fee in SIS. You can pay your non-refundable €100 application fee* by credit card (Master or Visacard), GooglePay, ApplePay, Bancontact or iDEAL.

Only after paying the fee, you can  start your application in DataNose. It is not possible to start your application without first paying the non-refundable application fee.

Note that it can take up to 24 hours for your fee payment to be registered in SIS and you are able to submit your application in Datanose. Make sure to pay your application fee in time and at least 72 hours before the application deadline of your programme.

You don't have to pay the application fee:

• If you have or 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 academic year 2025-2026.
• If you are an exchange student.
• If you are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF).

*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. 

Please direct all your questions about the payment of the application fee to the Central Student Service Desk.

Only after activating your UvAnetID, you can submit your UvA online application via DataNose.

Please make sure to upload the required documents in PDF format. Applicants who (will) hold more than one academic degree must merge copies of both (or more) academic transcripts into one PDF.

In DataNose we expect you to upload the following documents:

1. A motivation letter in English (max. 500 words)
2. Your Curriculum Vitae in English
3. A copy of your high school grade list and diploma
4. A copy of your Bachelor’s transcript, including an explanation of your university’s grading system.
5. A copy of your Bachelor’s diploma/certificate (or, if you have not yet finished your current academic programme, a list of courses of your final year)
6. A description of your Bachelor thesis/project
7. 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. In addition, no reference letters will be accepted/dealt with after the application deadline.
8. Proof of English proficiency 

After the online application procedure you will receive information by means of email in due course on how to complete your registration and how to apply for a visa or residence permit. 

If you have any questions about these documents as an international degree student, please contact the International Team.

As soon as you have submitted the (sufficiently) complete online form in DataNose, your application file will be acknowledged. It differs per programme how long it takes before you are informed via email about the decision on admission. An admission will always be conditional as we must still verify your documents (consult step 8).  You can track the status of your admission using the checklist in DataNose.

If you are conditionally admitted to the Master’s programme you will receive an admissions letter by means of email. In the letter you will find a link to DataNose to accept or decline your place in the programme. This has to be done within two weeks. If you have questions about this, please contact the International Team

If you are conditionally admitted please consult DataNose for details on which exact documents are required and when and how to send them.

You will need to arrange a variety of practical matters before starting your studies. 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.