Application

Do not send applications to the BCCN Berlin, they will not be forwarded. Original copies do not need to be mailed, PDFs are sufficient.

Applicants who will need a visa should start the visa application process immediately after receiving the application confirmation from uni-assist.

The application should include the following:

• all documents requested by the Technische Universität Berlin, according to this information; note that due to the early deadline, applicants do not have to supply a certificate of their finished degree, if this has not been issued yet; an up-to-date transcript of records is required in any case,
• a letter of motivation describing why you want to study computational neuroscience at the BCCN Berlin, and how this ties in with your interests and the general goals you pursue(d) in your education,
• a tabular CV listing activities and experiences relevant for the studies,
• two letters of recommendation by your supervisors or lecturers; your referees can also e-mail their letters directly to Darko Komnenić , with the subject line "Reference for MSc applicant ",
  • The letters must include official letterhead and be signed by the referee
  • NB: Candidates willing to pass TOEFL iBT can mention the TOEFL code of uni-assist e.V. (2727) , so that a copy of test results will be sent directly to uni-assist. Alternatively applicants can send a certified copy of their TOEFL results to uni-assist e.V.,
  • Please do not send any TOEFL certificates directly to BCCN, since this might cause misunderstandings and delays in submission and processing of your application.

  Further information

  • All documents that are not in German or English have to be translated by an officially approved translator.
  • Students may apply before receiving their Bachelor degree. However, candidates should submit an official transcript from their university listing completed subjects and achieved credit points (or academic hours). Applicants who cannot provide proof of a first degree qualifying for entry into a profession by the application deadline will be preliminarily admitted. This preliminary admission will be subject to the condition subsequent that the applicant will prove the successful completion of the first degree until the start of the winter semester.
  • For applications with Uni-Assist, please follow this procedure:
    • Note that the portal will open for applications for the Winter Semester 2025 on February 1st, 2025!
    1. After having registered with Uni-Assist, you'll come to the section "Search Study Offers".
    2. Please choose the semester: winter semester 2025
    3. Please choose your desired qualification: Master
    4. And/or choose the university you are interested in: Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin
    5. In this way, you'll get a list of programs to choose from, please select: "TU Berlin - Master Uni mit Abschluss - Computational Neuroscience"

    Questions?

    For any question regarding the formalities of the application, please contact the Servicebereich Master of Technische Universität Berlin. Information brochures and forms can be downloaded from the TU download center.
    

    Please read all information on this page carefully. If you cannot find what you need to know, contact the teaching coordinator or attend our information event for applicants in January 2025.

    Pre-requisites for the program can be found below.

    For getting advice from current Master's students and learning about their experience at the BCCN, feel free to contact:

    • Debapratim Jana
    • Arne Großelindemann
    • Mihai-Aurelian Dumitrescu
    • Carla Vollmoeller
    • Gerardo Parra
    • Aurora Qin

    Prerequisites

    All students who are interested in neuroscience and have a strong mathematical background are welcome to apply. In accordance with the interdisciplinary nature of Computational Neuroscience the program encourages students from diverse disciplines such as natural sciences, engineering, or mathematics to file their application.

    The following is required for an application:

    • a Bachelor or equivalent certificate ("erster Berufsqualifizierender Abschluss", e.g. German Diplom but not Vor-Diplom), typically in the natural sciences, in an engineering discipline, or in mathematics,
    • proficiency in English corresponding to an advanced level B2* or higher according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Non-English native applicants must document their proficiency via one of the following means. *Please note that attainment of level B2 is in itself not sufficient for admission to our program, we require the applicant to have met the specified score on the relevant test. The English requirements are based on the language certificates for Master's degree programmes of Faculty IV.
      
      • (1) TOEFL iBT (internet-based) : score ≥ 87 points
      • (2) TOEFL iTP (paper-based) : score ≥ 543 points
      • (3) TOEFL computer-based : score ≥ 230 points
      • (4) FCE First Cambridge Certificate of English : minimum of B (A > B > C. )
      • (5) TOEIC
        • Listening & Reading : score ≥ 880 with Listening ≥ 450 & Reading ≥ 430
        • Speaking & Writing : score ≥ 355 with Speaking ≥ 180 & Writing ≥ 175
        • *ZEMS = Central Institution for Modern Languages at the TU Berlin. Language certificates from the Language and Culture Exchange (SKB) of the TU Berlin are not recognized, even if the DAAD form was used for this purpose. The language proficiency test onSET English is also not recognized, even if it was taken at the ZEMS.
        • Basic or advanced course first or second foreign language English taken for at least 6 years and 5 or more points in all four school semesters of the Oberstufe (Upper School)
        • or explicit confirmation on the Abitur certificate that the level of English achieved corresponds to at least B2
        • Definition of mother tongue: identity document from an English-speaking country and official language clearly English
        • Currently valid for Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Cook Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Philippines, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Vincent, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland), United States of America.
        • sufficient mathematical knowledge (i.e. at least 24 credit points according to the ECTS) particularly in linear algebra (at least 6 credit points), analysis/calculus [including dynamical systems] (at least 6 credit points), probability theory and statistics (at least 6 credit points).
          • Please fill out the document "List of relevant mathematical courses" which can be found at the bottom of this page
          • Note that we cannot support you filling out the "list of relevant mathematical courses”. Please fill in what you think is relevant.
          • We are currently in the process of updating our study entrance regulations - in the future you will require at least 4 ECTS in programming. This is currently not the case - however experience with any programming language is beneficial, but not required.

          The following is recommended but not compulsory for students applying for the program:

          Some prior knowledge of neuroscience. If you don't have any, be prepared to read at least the introductory chapters of E. Kandel et al. 'Principles of Neural Science'.

          Some prior programming knowledge is strongly recommended. Python is the programming language used in the program.