Master in Brain and Cognition

Is this the programme you're looking for?

In a unique learning environment, you will examine cognitive and emotional processes in the brain.

The study programme in a nutshell

You will gain theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills to tackle questions about brain functioning and cognitive and emotional processes. The training includes current theories and advanced research methodologies, such as behavioural tasks, eye tracking, EEG, fMRI and advanced statistics.

What does this study entail?

We are transported to an imaginary world when we read a story merely by looking at black marks on a white sheet of paper. We can rapidly decide if an animal is a cat or a dog, even though we have never seen a particular animal before. When something in our environment appears to be threatening, we automatically focus on its movement and shape rather than on its colour and other details.

Memory, language, categorisation and emotion are all cognitive functions. Sophisticated and theoretically motivated experimental studies can enable a better understanding of the way the brain operates while executing these functions.

The study programme in a nutshell

The Psychology curriculum consists of a series of modules or courses. Every course covers one specific psychological theme. All of the activities that you will undertake during this course, i.e. lectures, tutorials, practical meetings and assignments, are related to this theme. The master programme consists of three courses in which you will study the topics of the specialisation of Brain and Cognition and one course in statistics.

In the second semester, from February onwards, you will conduct an empirical study and write your master’s thesis. Please click on one of the courses in the programme overview below to see the course descriptions.

The curriculum is subject to alteration. No rights can be derived from this information.

Curriculum

Block 1

• Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
• Electrophysiology

Block 2

• Cognition in the Digital Age
• Data Processing and Analyses in R

Block 3

• Concept and Categories
• Practical Programming Experiments

Block 4

• Applied Multivariate Data Analysis
• Practical Applied Multivariate Data Analysis using SPSS

Block 5-8

• Research Proposal and Thesis

Is this the right program for you?

• You will gain theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills to tackle questions about brain functioning and cognitive-emotional processes;
• You will work in small groups to solve problems you can encounter in the field;
• This program offers excellent preparation for a career in education, business, or research.

Opportunities after graduating

The Brain and Cognition master track prepares you for a successful career in academia or industry. Graduates of our program have found positions in academia, both in the Netherlands and abroad (e.g. the UK or Australia), as well as in industry and in administration, working as, for instance, policy advisors.