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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences - Research
Header image Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences

Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences

Are you interested in the basis of consciousness, the mechanisms of learning, or the genetics of behaviour? In this programme you study the brain, cognition, and behaviour from different perspectives.

The main focus of this Research Master is to train students to become independent researchers, and contains three tracks that are described in more detail below:

  • Behavioural Neurosciences (B-track)
  • Cognitive Neuroscience & Modelling (C-track)
  • Molecular & Clinical Neurosciences (N-track)

The curriculum consists of 20 ECTS of track-specific education, 10 ECTS of multidisciplinary education that covers all fields of neuroscience, and 90 ECTS in which students can pursue their own specific interests through choosing electives and two research projects. Students will also participate in summer and winter symposia.

Through the four track-specific courses (see the Programme link below), students develop their foundational knowledge of research topics and skills in the Behavioural, Cognitive, or Molecular Neuroscience. Thereafter, students can further develop their specialisation through elective courses and research projects in their field of interest. The programme also provides the unique opportunity to broaden their scope by choosing projects and electives in the domains of the other tracks (i.e., interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary research). It is advised to start the programme in the track that aligns best with your BSc. Educational profile.

Admission to the programme is selective, based on the applicant’s academic credentials and motivation (see “Entry Requirements” for details).

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Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences (research)
Course type
Research master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60615
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Science and Engineering
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Awarded 'Top Rated Programme' label (Keuzegids Masters 2017/2018/2019/2020/2021)
  • Excellent research facilities including University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Heymans Institute, and Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences
  • More than 75% enrolment in PhD projects after graduation
  • Integrated teaching by top researchers from three faculties in small groups
  • The Programme takes great pride in having a strong cohort structure both within and across the three track
Programme

Curriculum

2-year programme; credits per year: 60 ECTS; most courses are 5 ECTS.

For the complete curriculum see the 'more info about this option' links in the specialisation sections below.

Please be advised that students of the Faculty of Science and Engineering are expected to adhere to our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, ensuring seamless integration of personal electronic devices for academic purposes. For more detailed information on our BYOD policy, please visit our webpage .
Programme options
Behavioural Neurosciences (B-track) (specialization)

The four track-specific courses of the B-track focus on the neurobiology as well as the function and evolution of behaviour.

Track Mentor: Prof. Meerlo, https://www.rug.nl/staff/p.meerlo

Bachelor-Master connections: Biology or other Bachelor in Life Sciences with a substantial neuroscience component.

Content: Neurobiological, physiological, and developmental processes are crucial to understand the evolution, function, causation and development of behaviour. Exploring these fields will provide insights in brain circuitry and processes driving human and animal behaviour. Courses in the B-track cover chronobiology (i.e., the rhythms of life, from molecular mechanisms to behavioural output), evolution of behaviour (development, causation, evolution and adaptive significance), neuroendocrinology, physiology and behaviour (e.g., brain-periphery interactions, energy balance, eating disorders), and neurobiology of behaviour (e.g., neural mechanisms in neuroethology, human speech and birdsong). Altogether training in the B-track prepares students for a future research career in the field of Behavioural neurosciences.

B-track Curriculum information, representative papers, research projects, & literature. This information is provided to give an impression of the content of the track. It is not required to study this prior to the start of the programme.

Representative research links:

  • Background literature: Neuroscience exploring the brain (Bear, Connors, Paradiso, 4th edition: ISBN: 9781451109542)

More information about this option

Cognitive Neuroscience & Modelling (C-track) (specialization)

The C-track focuses on cognitive processes and their implementation through neural mechanisms at the systems-level.

Track Mentor: Track Mentor: Dr. Tassos Sarampalis, https://www.rug.nl/staff/a.sarampalis

Bachelor-Master connections: Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience (e.g., Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Human Movement Sciences).

Content: By characterising and modelling the functional and neural implementation of cognitive processes, a fundamental understanding of both the workings of the healthy brain and mind can be achieved, and of how cognitive functioning breaks down in case of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Courses in the C-track offer knowledge and hands-on training in advanced statistical analyses, EEG and fMRI methods, cognitive modelling, and cognitive neuropsychiatry. In addition, students execute two research projects in which they can pursue and develop their interests and research skills. Altogether, training in the C-track prepares students for a future research career in the field of cognitive neurosciences.

C-track Curriculum information, representative papers, research projects, and background literature.

Representative research links: Behavioural and Social Sciences: https://research.rug.nl/en/organisations/experimental-psychology/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontojournal%2Farticle

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6706072/pdf/nihms-1046507.pdf

More information about this option

Molecular and Clinical Neuroscience (N-track) (specialization)

The track-specific courses focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie neuronal development, function, and communication, as well as clinical/neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Track Mentor: Dr. Susanne Kooistra, https://www.rug.nl/staff/s.m.kooistra

Bachelor-Master connections: (Molecular) Medicine, Biomedical Sciences.

Content: Investigating these molecular and cellular pathways contributes to understanding the neuronal basis of cognition and behaviour and is essential for the development of strategies to detect, treat or even prevent neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Courses in the N-track cover the anatomy of the nervous system, neurotransmission and transduction cascades, neurophysiology, stem cell biology, protein homeostasis and quality control, neuropathology, neuropharmacology and neuroinflammation. Students engage in diverse research projects that range from basic research in simple model systems to translational studies in clinical departments but ultimately share a common interest in addressing neuroscience-related research questions at the molecular and cellular level. Altogether, the N-track master prepares students for a future research career in molecular and biomedical (or clinical) neurosciences.

N-track Curriculum information, representative papers, research projects, and background literature. This information is provided to give an impression of the content of the track. It is not required to study this prior to the start of the programme.

Representative research links:

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is recommended

During the BCN programme you can do an internship abroad in various labs around the globe. The exchange period has a typical duration of 7 months and counts toward your final degree.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
MedicineAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Preferred learning community: Molecular Medicine

Artificial IntelligenceAll Research universitiesAdditional requirements
BiologyAll Research universitiesAdditional requirements
Psychology (EN)All Research universitiesAdditional requirements
Human Movement SciencesAll Research universitiesAdditional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

A Bachelor's degree in the Life Sciences, (Molecular) Biology, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, Psychology or related programmes. The Admissions Board determines whether the content of the previous degree programme meets the admission requirements.

knowledge minimum

Please see detailed information for each track in the section “Programme”

reference letter

Please provide us with reference letters from two qualified referees.

other admission requirements

The BCN research master is selective. Selection will be based on academic performance, motivation, and extracurricular activities. After registering via www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-msc/ (before May 1st) your application will be forwarded to the Board of Admissions.

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-msc/ for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements and the checklist with the documents you need to deliver to be able to process your application.

Registration procedure

Please fill out the following checklist to explain why you want to apply for this Master's degree programme (questions to be addressed are outlined on the form): https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-msc/nl-diploma/bcn-checklist.docx

Do you prefer an early decision on your request for admission? Don't wait until 1 May, but use one of the earlier deadlines for this Master's programme (for a course start on 1 September). Application deadlines with the corresponding decision deadlines are as follows:

Application - Decision:

1 December– 15 January

1 February – 1 March

15 March – 15 April

1 May - 15 June



Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

A Bachelor's degree in the Life Sciences, (Molecular) Biology, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, Psychology or related programmes. The Admissions Board determines whether the content of the previous degree programme meets the admission requirements.

knowledge minimum

Please see detailed information for each track in the section "Programme"

language test

Please visit https://www.rug.nl/fse/programme/admissions/msc/language-requirements for all the necessary information about required language tests and minimum scores. Additional assessment of language proficiency might be part of the admission procedure.

other admission requirements

The BCN research master is selective. Selection will be based on academic performance, motivation, and extracurricular activities. After registering via www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-msc/ (before May 1st) your application will be forwarded to the Board of Admissions.

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-msc/ for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements and the checklist with the documents you need to deliver to be able to process your application.

Registration procedure

Please fill out the following checklist to explain why you want to apply for this Master's degree programme (questions to be addressed are outlined on the form): https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-msc/nl-diploma/bcn-checklist.docx

Do you prefer an early decision on your request for admission? Don't wait until 1 May, but use one of the earlier deadlines for this Master's programme (for a course starting on 1 September). Application deadlines with the corresponding decision deadlines are as follows:

Application - Decision:

1 December– 15 January

1 February – 1 March

15 March – 15 April

1 May - 15 June

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 24200full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

As a graduate of this programme, you can work as a researcher, both in the academic world and other fields. Because of their multi-disciplinary training, graduates of this degree positively distinguish themselves: you can easily grasp the bigger picture and are able to familiarise yourself with new fields and methodologies quickly.

Research

For track-specific research information, see the section 'Programme'

To get a sense for the type of research corresponding to each track, please see the section 'Programme' above. There, we provide representative papers and/or links to recently published research for each of the three tracks in the programme.

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Campus TourMore information
Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information
presentatieGrote Kruisstraat 2More information

Contact

  • Academic Advisors FSE (For questions regarding the programme)
  • studyscience@rug.nl Study Science (For students who are interested in a Campus Tour or who have other general questions)
    Email: studyscience rug.nl

Study associations

GLV Idun

Groninger LevenswetenschappenVereniging Idun is the study association for Biology, Life Science & Technology, Biomedical Engineering, and their connecting master programs.
The association organises various activities, from social activities, like our weekly drinks, or even traveling abroad. In addition, Idun also organizes career/education-related activities like company visits and lunch lectures. GLV Idun contributes to a fun student time by bringing students together, and preparing her members for their career ahead!
https://www.idun.nl/home
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