Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1: When can I apply?
There is only one application period for the master’s program “Mind and Brain”: Students can apply exclusively 1–31 May of each year for a program start in the following Winter semester (October). There isn’t a second application period (e.g., for a program start in the Spring semester).
FAQ 2: How many points must I have gained to be able to apply?
For information on the admission requireents of the Brain Track and the Mind Track, please see Admission section I (a) Requirements for Admission.
If a given degree has an insufficient number of relevant credit points, or even no credit points at all in one of the required fields, the necessary credit points can be aquired and provided through classes taken subsequently, i.e. after the completed degree, for example by way of additional courses. A second full degree which includes these courses does not have to be completed. It is sufficient to attend and pass additional courses in one of the stated relevant fields at a recognized university in order to attain the required number of relevant credit points for the application.
Nota bene:
(1) These additional credit points must have been acquired in full at the time of applying. They may not be submitted later!
(2) Online courses will not be accepted.
A word of advice:
It is normally assumed that around 30 ECTS points can be acquired in one semester. Please take this number into account when realistically calculating how much time it will take you to acquire the credit points you may need to make up! Furthermore, in German universities the credit points of the teaching period of the summer semester (April–July) are generally not acquired in full by May, i.e. in time for the application to our program. This may apply to other countries and universities as well. Please find out!
FAQ 3: Are foreign language study courses equivalent to “theoretical linguistics”?
Only students with at least 60 ECTS in theoretical linguistics (e.g., pragmatics, psycholinguistics, discourse analysis, etc.) may apply.
Degree programs or courses of study in which the main focus was either learning a language (e.g. English, German) in order to teach that language, or learning how to translate one language into another, are not considered adequate qualifications in linguistics.
FAQ 4: Who is permitted to translate documents?
Translations of the documents to be provided may be done exclusively by a sworn translator. The applicant’s own translations of official documents are not permitted!
In this database you can look for sworn translators working in various languages in Germany:
http://www.gerichtsdolmetscherverzeichnis.de
If applying from abroad, a list of translators recognized in Germany can be obtained from German embassies and diplomatic agencies.
A certified copy of these documents in the original language must be included along with the translated documents and transcript.
FAQ 5: Is it possible to apply for an entry in a higher semester of the master's program “Mind and Brain”?
New students can only apply for an entry into a higher semester (2nd, 3rd) if there are places open in the respective student cohort.
Interested applicants can check with the coordinator from January before an application period (May of each year) whether there are places open. In any case, there will be a very limited number of places (1–2) for higher semester applications.
For an entry into a higher semester applicants have to fulfill all regular admission requirements (see Admission section I (a) Requirements for Admission) and additionally (!) provide 30 ECTS of relevant credits for each semester they want to skip: For an entry into the second semester, applicants have to provide a transcript with 30 ECTS of additional relevant credits, applicants for an entry into the third semester 60 ECTS.
