Mind, Brain and Behavior (M.Sc.)

How do the human mind and brain work? The Master's programme Mind, Brain and Behavior at JLU combines cognitive neuroscience with hands-on methods in VR and AI.

This course of study is taught in English.

Smiling woman wearing an eye-tracking headset and motion-capture markers on her hand, looking at a red tomato and a blue geometric sphere — Foto: Rolf K. Wegst

Overview

How can understanding human perception advance fields like artificial intelligence, virtual reality and autonomous driving? In the Master's programme Mind, Brain and Behavior, you combine cognitive neuroscience with hands-on methods like brain imaging, eye-tracking and modelling. Electives and an internship shape your profile in research or industry.

Applying for admission

Start of studies

Winter semester

Mode of admission

No admission restriction

Duration of studies

4 semesters

Workload

120 credit points (CP)

Degree

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Language of instruction

English

Composition of the Study Programme

What can I expect from this programme?

Mind, Brain and Behavior is an international Master’s programme taught in English. The programme provides core competencies for a career in academia or industrial research in the fields of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience or the Behavioural Sciences and combines theoretical and hands-on methods courses. Courses on selected topics are taught by renowned experts. Hands-on courses cover a range of key empirical methods for measuring and modelling perception, neural processes, and behaviour.

Understanding human perception and behavior is an increasing need in numerous fields of application, fuelled by recent technological advances in Artificial Intelligence. The programme prepares students to address basic and applied questions at the highest scientific level in fields such as Human-Machine Interaction, Virtual Reality, Autonomous Driving, Cognitive Robotics, Machine Learning and Artificial Neural Networks.

Faculty

Faculty includes Prof. Karl Gegenfurtner, Ph.D., Prof. Katja Dörschner-Boyaci, Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Katja Fiehler, Prof. Roland W. Fleming, Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Martin Hebart, and Prof. Dr. Gudrun Schwarzer, who are all involved in the Excellence Cluster "The Adaptive Mind".

How is the programme structured?

The study programme comprises theoretical and application modules in selected topics from Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, together with key empirical methods for measuring and modelling perception, neural processes, and behaviour. In total, students complete four theoretical and four application modules.

In the first year, 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 9 weeks of practical training in research or industry. The fourth semester is dedicated to writing the Master’s thesis.

Theoretical modules

Visual Perception of Colour and Materials (6 CP)
Perception and Action (6 CP)
Visual Cognition and Object Perception (6 CP)
Current Topics in Cognition and Development (6 CP)

Application modules

Programming (8 CP)
Capturing and Emulating the World (8 CP)
Measuring and Modeling Human Behavior and Neural Processing (8 CP)
Imaging and Recording Brain Activity (8 CP)

Elective modules

Two elective modules (each 6 CP) can be selected from the courses offered by other study programs of the Justus Liebig University, specifically from Economics, Data Science, Psychology and Human Movement Analytics.

Master Thesis

Students write their Master’s thesis (30 CPs) in the final semester, typically on an experimental research project in one of the associated research departments.

You can find further information and module descriptions in the Special Regulations.

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Career Options

What career paths can I pursue after graduation?

The Master’s programme in Mind, Brain and Behavior is embedded in a broader local ecosystem of top research on psychology, neuroscience and behavioral sciences (see Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior). Students are encouraged to attend colloquia, workshops and lectures organized by researchers in Giessen and Marburg, and may also be able to take advantage of additional research and networking opportunities outside the formal structure of the Master’s program.

Professional fields that are open to graduates of this Master’s program include:

Research institutions with a focus on Neuroscience or Behavioral Science
Human-machine Interaction
Virtual Reality
Autonomous Driving
Cognitive Robotics
Machine Learning
Artificial Neural Networks

Can I do a PhD after my Master’s degree?

After successful completion of the Master’s degree, it is also possible to start doctoral studies.

Graduate Centre

Giessen Graduate Center for Natural Sciences and Psychology (GGN)

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Application and Enrolment

No study fees are charged for this programme. However, students have to pay a semester contribution.

Requirements

To apply for the Master’s programme Mind, Brain and Behavior, you need to have completed a Bachelor’s degree in the fields of:

Behavioral Sciences
Biology
Cognitive Sciences
Computer Science/Data Science
Linguistics
Movement Sciences
Neuroscience
Physics
Psychology

Note that the Master's programme does not cover the fields of Clinical Psychology or Neuropsychology.

For other Bachelor’s degrees, the admissions board will individually assess whether they meet the entry requirements. It can be advantageous to include other relevant qualifications (e.g. professional experience in the fields of Neurosciences or Behavioral Sciences, or an internship of at least 8 weeks in the same fields beyond your Bachelor’s degree’s requirements).

Language requirements

The study programme is taught in English. Your English language proficiency should therefore correspond to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Although level C1 is considered as helpful, it is not mandatory. The proficiency level can be certified as follows:

School reports: English language skills must be documented over at least 6 years, up to the degree which entitles university entrance;

or: One of the following language tests:
IELTS, minimum grade 5.5,
TOEFL (iBT, 0-120 points), minimum 72 points,
TOEFL (ITP Level 1, 310-677 points), minimum 543 points,
TOEFL (pBT, 310-677 points), minimum 543 points,
PTE Academic (10-90 points), minimum 75 points,
TOEIC (10-990 points), minimum 784 points,
telc, B2 certificate,
UNIcert II,
Cambridge IGCSE, B2;

or: Proof of obtaining a local higher education entrance qualification in one of the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom, South Africa;

or: Proof of a Bachelor’s degree in English in one of the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom, South Africa.

Application Procedure

Depending on where you obtained either your university entrance certificate or your Bachelor degree, we differentiate two application procedures:

Case A

You need to use JLU’s application portal if

you hold a completed Bachelor’s degree obtained at a German university (the country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance).
your JLU Bachelor programme is not yet complete. Please provide a preliminary report. The country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance.
you obtained your university entrance certificate in Germany and attended a Bachelor programme at a German university other than JLU. Please provide a preliminary report if your programme is not yet completed.
you want to change to another degree programme at JLU. The country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance.

Case B

You need to submit your application to uni-assist if

you hold a completed Bachelor’s degree obtained at a foreign university (the country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance).
you obtained your university entrance certificate abroad and attended but not completed yet a Bachelor programme at a German university other than JLU or at any other university within EU. Please provide a preliminary report.

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The selection is a two-stage procedure where in the first stage applicants are evaluated based on the their Bachelor's grade points and additional qualifications, and in the second stage selected applicants are invited to personal interviews.

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Documents

You have to provide the following documents:

Bachelor certificate (see Admission requirements).
Transcript of Records.
Proof of English proficiency (see Language requirements).
Letter of motivation (max. 500 words).
Proof about the completion of a Bachelor thesis or a research project.
Additional qualifications (if applicable):

Practical experience in the field of neuroscience or behavioral science (training or job certificate);
Internship in the field of neuroscience or behavioral science (minimum of 8 weeks; only if done in addition the completed course of study);
Completion of a specialized or advanced module with a focus on behavioral science or neuroscience (minimum of 9 credit points according to ECTS).

Note that the Master's program does not cover the fields of Clinical Psychology or Neuropsychology; therefore, previous experience specifically from these fields are not considered relevant (e.g. practical experience or internships in psychotherapy).

Note that you need certified translations of all documents which are not in English or German language.

Application Deadline

Winter semester 2027/28

Opening of application period

for applicants with a German Bachelor's: 1 June 2027
for applicants with an international Bachelor's degree: 1 December 2026

Application deadline

15 June 2027

Applications are processed on a rolling basis – applications received earlier will be decided on earlier.

International applicants can find further information on the International Office website.

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More about the application process

Further Information

Where can I find official documents about the programme?

Examination and study regulations

Special Regulations (with module descriptions and module plans)
General Regulations for Bachelor's and Master's programmes

Please note that only the German version of the regulation is official and legally binding. The English version is for informative purposes only.

Study programme flyer

M.Sc. Mind, Brain and Behavior (PDF)
Flyer (Department of Psychology) (PDF)

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Electronical course catalogue (eVV) (in German)

Where can I find more information about the faculty?

Links

Faculty 06 – Psychology and Sports Science
Dean's Office
Examinations Office (in German)
Student representatives
Cardinal Mechanisms of Perception
The Adaptive Mind
The Brain in Action

Master's Degree Programmes of Faculty 06

Klinische Sportphysiologie und Sporttherapie / Clinical Sport Therapy and Sport Physiology
Human Movement Analytics – Biomechanics, Motor Control, and Learning (taught in English)
Mind, Brain and Behavior (taught in English)
Psychologie / Psychology
Psychologie mit Schwerpunkt Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie / Psychology: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

How do I have a successful start at JLU?

To help you get off to a good start with your studies, we warmly invite you to attend our orientation events. Here you will learn
everything you need to know about starting your studies: