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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Applied Cognitive Neuroscience
Header image Applied Cognitive Neuroscience

Applied Cognitive Neuroscience

How can we increase the effectiveness and memorability of an advertisement? Can we tell from someone's pupil size if they are getting tired, for instance while driving or operating a machine? How did researchers working at Memorylab succeed in using a computational model of memory to develop an app that enables students to study more efficiently?

In the Applied Cognitive Neuroscience master, you will acquire foundational knowledge and skills that will allow you to work in a variety of different industries where insights from cognitive neuroscience are used to help in preventing cognitive errors and improve human functioning.


Foundational knowledge and skills are taught in high-level courses by top scientists in cognitive neuroscience. Subsequently, you will conduct an internship and a research project in which you are trained in creating applications and independently setting up and carrying out research to test the effectiveness of these applications.


Upon completion of the ACN master track, you will have gained practical skills that are crucial in today's job market, both in academia and business.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Psychology
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60260
Language of instruction
English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Why study this programme in Groningen?

You will

  • join a vibrant and international community of students.
  • get lectures from top researchers.
  • join a small-scale master's that provides attention to individual students.
Programme

Besides the two core courses (Trends in cognitive neuroscience and Applied cognitive neuroscience), one skills course (Data collection and analysis for cognitive neuroscience), and a master's thesis/internship, you can choose from a broad range of elective courses.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Your previous education and chosen master track determine the application procedure and whether you are eligible for admission to the master or a possible premaster. Check https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie to find the admission requirements that apply to you.

language test

Depending on your background and language of the track of your choice, you will have to submit proof of your proficiency in either Dutch or English. For more information see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie

Registration procedure

For all information, including above mentioned topics, please carefully inspect the pages on Application, Admission and Selection.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 November 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students15 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 November 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students15 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 November 202501 February 2026

Deadline for master's tracks with selection is 1 October and 1 March Deadline for master's tracks without selection is 15 November and 1 May*.

Please note: We strongly advise non-EU/EEA students to submit the application well in advance of this deadline* (more than 1 month) to allow sufficient time to obtain or renew a visa.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Your previous education and chosen master track determine the application procedure and whether you are eligible for admission to the master or a possible premaster. Check https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie to find the admission requirements that apply to you.

language test

Depending on your background and language of the track of your choice, you will have to submit proof of your proficiency in either Dutch or English. For more information see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie

Registration procedure

For all information, including above mentioned topics, please carefully inspect the pages on Application, Admission and Selection.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 November 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students15 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 November 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students15 November 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 November 202501 February 2026

Deadline for master's tracks with selection is 1 October and 1 March Deadline for master's tracks without selection is 15 November and 1 May*.

Please note: We strongly advise non-EU/EEA students to submit the application well in advance of this deadline* (more than 1 month) to allow sufficient time to obtain or renew a visa.

Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time
For more information about tuition fees:

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

After you have finished the master Applied Cognitive Neuroscience, you will be able to work with human data in the broadest sense, and this is a unique set of skills that is relevant in many areas of today's job market.

For example, you will be able to

  • measure and improve the effectiveness of marketing campaigns;
  • work with large sets of human data as a data analyst;
  • help companies and governmental organisations to design, implement, and test human-friendly systems and environments;
  • evaluate and improve traffic situations.

And finally, but just as importantly, you will have a deeper understanding of the human mind.

Career services BSS
Where do you want to work after your studies? You can contact
Career Services already during your studies. They will help you orientate on your career, develop your skills, apply for jobs and find an internship.

Job examples

  • Researcher

    CPP graduates are well prepared for a career as researcher, for example as PhD student at a university, but also in the private (Philips, Unilever) or government sector (ministries, TNO), or with NGOs(SWOV).

  • Advisor/Consultant

    You can use your skills and knowledge as CN-graduate to advise companies, NGOs of the government about the latest developments in applied cognitive neuroscience, for example in the context of human-computer interaction, or on recent developments such as neuromarketing.

Research

Mindwise

For a general overview of research of the Psychology department have a look at Mindwise. This is a blog platform of the Department of Psychology of the University of Groningen (located in the Netherlands). Staff and students write in a personal capacity about psychological research and education in Groningen, and express their opinions on current affairs based on their expertise.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information
presentatieGrote Kruisstraat 2More information

Contact

  • Study Advisors Psychology (about the programme, enrollment, studying)
    Email: studyadvice.psy rug.nl
  • Admission Office (Contact form) (for students with a non-Dutch diploma)
  • Admissions Board Admissions Board Master Psychology (about admission & application, for students with a Dutch diploma)
    Email: toelatingscommissie.masterpsy rug.nl
  • Dr. Sebastiaan Mathot (Coordinator master programme Cognitive Psychology and Psychophysiology)
    Email: s.mathot rug.nl

Study associations

VIP

VIP is the study association for the Psychology students at the University of Groningen.
VIP organizes study-related and social activities. As a VIP-member, you receive a discount on study books as well as a discount on VIP activities. On this website, you can find more information about VIP, our events, committees, and the book sale.
https://www.vipsite.nl/
Read more
Student profile

You:

  • are broadly interested in brain and behaviour;
  • like to apply state-of-the-art theories and methods in practice;
  • are creative, persistent and a problem solver;
  • are curious and have a drive to deepen your understanding of the world around you.

Given that CPP can be rather technical (for example programming experiments, or analyses), affinity with technology is recommended.

Study support

In the Psychology programme, there is a strong focus on study advice. Study advisors are available for both the Dutch-taught and English-taught programmes. You can contact them as a prospective student, current student, or former student of programmes within the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences.

Study advisors can assist you with questions regarding:
• the content of the programme
• planning and organising your studies
• choices during your study
• registrations
• programme regulations
• taking courses outside your programme
• studying abroad

They are also available for personal support.
Don't hesitate to get in touch or make an appointment with one of the study advisors.

For brief questions, please email: studyadvice.psy rug.nl
You can make an appointment via the online scheduling system: https://fbss.as.me/schedule/9de94536 ,
or by phone through the education desk: +31 50 3636301