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Max Planck School of Cognition
Online Application
Instructions for applying online
Applying to the Max Planck School of Cognition is a two-step process.

To begin the application process, you must first register here.

After you have registered, you will receive an e-mail confirmation.

This e-mail contains your Applicant ID, which is required in the second step of the application process where you will upload your Personal Statement and Curriculum Vitae (CV) with supporting documents.


A complete application consists of:
  • Bachelor and/or master in one of the following fields: artificial intelligence, cognitive neuroscience/neuroscience, genetics, linguistics, neurobiology, mathematics, neurology, psychiatry, philosophy, and psychology or a related subject.
  • Grade point average of at least 1.3
          Note: 1.0 is the best possible grade in the German grading system and 4.0 is the last sufficient grade in the German grading system.
          See FAQ section (FAQ 1.5) for more info on converting foreign grade point averages to the German system.
  • Graduate record examinations (GRE) general test (highly recommended)
  • English language proficiency (B2 level). If English is not the applicant’s native language, or if the applicant has not participated in at least one year of study in which English was the language of instruction within an English-speaking country, an internationally-accepted language test is mandatory (see FAQ 1.11 and FAQ 1.12).
  • School leaving certificate (e.g. diploma) with marks. Foreign certificates must be in English / German (only sworn translations are accepted).
  • Official transcripts with explicit marks and if available course descriptions detailing the content of the courses you have mastered. Foreign transcripts must be in English / German (only sworn translations are accepted) (see FAQ 1.3).
  • Academic curriculum vitae (CV) of maximum two pages in length. Please list all stages of your education in chronological order. For more details see FAQ 3.1.
  • Personal statement (typed with a maximum of one page and in English). Please clearly discuss your decision-making process concerning your application to the Max Planck School of Cognition.
  • A list of three potential supervisors from the Max Planck School of Cognition with whom you would like to work.
  • Contact of two referees (academic sources) who can attest to your academic, professional, and/or research abilities in the context of your interest in pursuing a graduate degree. At least one referee should not be a member of the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft.
  • Copy of your passport / identity card.


Timeline of important dates
    • Application deadline is December 15, 2018 at midnight (CEST)
    • Max Planck School of Cognition starts in Fall 2019
The Max Planck School of Cognition will cover travel expenses and accommodation for the interviews.


Further Questions?
Contact the coordination office: natacha.mendes@maxplanckschools.de

If you have received your Applicant ID, please include this in the subject line of your e-mail.

This registration system has been created by GWDG, Göttingen / Germany.