Brains belong to the most complex systems in nature. They control perception, cognition and eventually the behaviour of animals and humans. Understanding the mechanisms that allow animals and humans to behave adaptively in complex environments is one of the most fascinating, but also most challenging tasks in science. The graduate programme Behaviour: From Neural Mechanisms to Evolution provides the relevant interdisciplinary scientific training for a comprehensive education. It introduces concepts, fundamental experimental techniques, and the theoretical approaches that are required to perform research at the frontiers of this ambitious scientific field.
Access to the Master programme is granted to those who can provide evidence that they have a first university degree which has a standard period of study of at least six semesters, qualifies for exercising a profession and is in accordance with the subject-specific regulations.
In any case, please read the specific Admission requirements for this Masters programme in the Subject-specific regulations (PDF).
Degrees from accredited Bachelor programmes at German ‘Berufsakademien’ are equivalent to Bachelor degrees from universities.
Applicants with a university degree obtained abroad are granted access provided that the degree they have acquired is deemed sufficient for this purpose and they can provide evidence of the required language skills.
Further information on the application process for prospective international students and the language requirements.
Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education.
Studies can be commenced only in winter semester.
The standard period of studies is 4 semesters. Information on studying part time.
The studies Behaviour: From Neural Mechanisms to Evolution comprise 120 credit points.
The study places for this degree programme are subject to local admission restrictions (numerus clausus). You need to apply within the currently applicable application deadlines.
As soon as you receive a positive response in the application and status portal (notice of access from the faculty) and receive your admission notice from the Student Office, you can submit your application for enrolment within the set deadline.
Step by step to a Master programme with NC
Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education.
You will find the programme of lectures for this course in the eKVV.
An overview of the introductory and information events is provided by the central student counselling services.
The information on admission restrictions / numerus clausus (NC) refers to applications for the winter semester 2026/27 and summer semester 2027.
Information on NC values from previous years