Cognitive Systems - Master of Science (MSc)

Application period

winter semester: 2 April - 15 May
summer semester: ---

Required language proficiency:
English

Admission restriction:
limited places (20)

Applicants with a German education certificate (German bachelor's or equivalent degree)

Step 1: Registration in the campus portal of Ulm University
You register online in the campus portal.
After self-registration, you will receive an e-mail with the activation code and a request to confirm your personal account in the campus portal of Ulm University.

Step 2: Application in the campus portal of Ulm University
You submit your application in the campus portal and upload the required documents.

Campusportal

Applicants with a foreign education certificate (bachelor's or equivalent degree)

Step 1: Online application via uni-assist
Register for the uni-assist online portal, answer all the basic questions and questions for your course application.

Step 2: Upload documents
Please upload the required application documents at the uni-assist online portal. Give your documents an unambiguous name.

Step 3: Submit your application to uni-assist electronically
(Paper-based documents are not required for application)

Step 4: Pay the handling fees to uni-assist

All required application documents as well as the payment must be received by uni-assist before the application deadline.

Apply online via the uni-assist portal

Further information

Proof of a bachelor's degree in a degree programme recognised as equivalent at the level of at least three years of study in a degree programme that covers basic knowledge in at least one of the three topics relevant to cognitive science: information processing in natural systems, information processing in technical systems or mathematical modelling. These include programmes in cognitive science, psychology and computer science. Graduates of other subjects, in particular engineering, physics, biology with a focus on neuroscience, and mathematics, can also be considered, provided that the subject-specific suitability for the degree programme is deemed to be given, in particular with regard to past relevant learning and practical experience and its relevance for the curriculum of the Cognitive Systems master's programme at Ulm University, as set out in the form for subject-specific additional information.
a bachelor's degree with an overall grade of 2.5 or better
if the programme has not yet been completed examination results showing an average of 2.5 or better
English language proficiency at level C1 CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

For legally binding information please see the MSc Cognitive Systems admissions statutes.

When submitting your application via "My personal campus portal" you must upload the following documents:

Bachelor's degree diploma and bachelor's degree certificate with final grade as well as overview of subjects and grades / transcript of records with credit points / Diploma Supplement if available
If you have not yet completed your higher education degree: overview of subjects and grades / transcript of records issued by the higher education institution with the total credit points earned up to the application deadline and an indication of the provisional average grade.
Proof of English language proficiency
In the case of a higher education degree from China, Vietnam or India: APS certificate or APS confirmation
In the case of a foreign higher education degree: grading scale of the degree programme with indication of the lowest passing grade and maximum grade for the degree, to be shown on the bachelor's degree diploma / bachelor's degree certificate or on an official document of the higher education institution.
If proof and documents to be submitted are not written in German or English, additionally an official translation into German or English is required
In case of hardship or place-bound studies in the public interest: explanatory letter and supporting documents

Should the number of qualified applications exceed the number of available places, the selection will be made by the level of qualification, which is determined by the overall grade in the bachelor's degree and the average grade of the exam results attained up to the application cut-off date respectively, if you don't have your degree yet. In cases of equal scores, the decision is made by lottery.

If there are still places available after all allocation procedures have been completed, a drawing of lots will take place.

Selection thresholds

Winter semester 2023/24
Available places: 20
Applications: 106 including 59 qualified applications
Admissions: all qualified applicants.

Winter semester 2024/25
Available places: 20
Applications: 77 including 61 qualified applications
Admissions: all qualified applicants.

Claims of hardship

5% of all available places (with a minimum of one place) are reserved for cases of exceptional hardship.

Exceptional hardship applies if special personal social or family reasons make it absolutely necessary for the student to take up studies immediately.

Please note:

In your application, you indicate that you request consideration for exceptional hardship. For this, it is necessary that you fulfil the entrance requirements of the selected master’s programme.
To prove this, you must upload a letter of explanation and relevant proof. In the case of health reasons, a current specialist medical statement/report must be submitted. This must contain information on the origin, severity, course and treatment options of the illness as well as a prognosis on the further course of the illness. Special health reasons must exist which make it absolutely necessary for the student to take up studies immediately.
Reasons for hardship are not previously reviewed.
The ranking of the allocation is determined by the degree of exceptional hardship, then by aptitude and motivation for the chosen degree programme and the intended profession in accordance with the respective applicable admission statutes.
Hardship applications will only be considered if the applicants did not get a place in a programme following the outcome of the selection procedure.

Dependence on study location in the interest of the public

1% of the study places (with a minimum of one place) are allocated on the basis of dependence on study location in the interest of the public (Ortsbindung).

Applicants who belong to a group determined by the University to be considered or promoted in the public interest and are tied to Ulm as a place of study due to justified circumstances are considered to be bound to Ulm as a place of study (Ortsbindung); This includes in particular persons who demonstrably belong to an Olympic squad (OK), perspective squad (PK), junior squad 1 (NK 1) or supplementary squad (EK) of a federal professional association of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) (top athletes) as well as persons who perform social duties at the place of study, Ulm, the fulfilment of which is in the special public interest, in particular persons who exercise a mandate in a municipal representative body.

Please note:

In your application, you indicate that you request consideration for place-bound studies (“Ortsbindung”). For this, it is necessary that you fulfil the entrance requirements of the selected master’s programme.
To prove this, you must upload a letter of explanation and relevant proof.
Local binding is not checked in advance.
The selection is made by the admissions committee or the selection committee.
Applications will only be considered if the applicants have not been awarded a place following the outcome of the selection procedure or on the basis of hardship considerations.

Further information on the master's programme Cognitive Systems