Philosophy of Neuroscience

Check whether you meet the programme requirements and apply

• I have a Dutch university level (WO) Bachelor’s degree (VU Bachelor’s degree, VU pre-master or Bachelor’s degree at another university)

  To be considered for admission to the Master’s programme Philosophy of Neuroscience, you must meet the following requirements:

  • hold an academic Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Psychology with a Biological Psychology or Neuropsychology profile. If you hold a BSc degree in a closely related discipline (e.g. Movement Sciences, Artificial Intelligence or Medicine), you are also eligible to apply.
  • be eligible to a Neuroscience Master’s or a related programme in which you can obtain 30 ECTS in neuroscience courses at a Master’s level. You can choose to obtain the required 30 ECTS automatically by doing another Master in a Neuroscience(-related) discipline, or you can obtain them by following individual courses in neuroscience or a related discipline at a Master’s level. You can also apply for a neurophilosophy internship (only a select number of places available) in one of our research projects to obtain (part of) the 30 ECTS. You must demonstrate that you are eligible to the neuroscience courses before the start of the programme

  Proficient in English

  All lectures and student presentations are in English, all written assignments as well. Therefore all prospective students must be proficient in English. The VU Amsterdam courses Academic English: Grammar and Academic English: Writing (or similar courses at another university) are strongly recommended in your Bachelor's programme.

  English language requirements

  If you are applying for one of our English-taught Master's degree programmes you will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency by submitting English test results.  

  Although complete applications are preferred, you can begin your application before you have completed the test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted. 

  You can find an overview of all accepted tests and scores that can be used to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.

• I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) Bachelor’s degree (pre-master)

  Students with a higher vocational education qualification (HBO) cannot proceed directly to the Master’s programme in Philosophy of Neuroscience.

• Application with a Dutch degree

  Dutch students and international candidates with a Dutch degree can apply via Studielink  for the Master’s programme Philosophy of Neuroscience under the label Filosofie 2 jaar/Philosophy 2 years. 

  If you haven't obtained 30 ECTS in neuroscience courses at a Master’s level yet, then make sure you apply for a Neuroscience Master’s or a related programme in which you can obtain 30 ECTS in neuroscience courses at a Master’s level before the required application deadline. Alternatively, you can choose to obtain them by following individual courses in neuroscience or a related discipline at a Master’s level. You must demonstrate that you are eligible to the neuroscience courses before the start of the programme. You can also apply for a neurophilosophy internship (only a select number of places available) in one of our research projects to obtain (part of) the 30 ECTS . 

  How to apply

  1. Apply for the Master’s programme in Studielink by 1 June. After applying in Studielink you will receive login information for your VU Dashboard. See also Additional information on the enrolment procedure.
  2. Add the requested Application File to your VU Dashboard and complete your application.

  Please note: students of the Faculty of Humanities at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam do NOT need to upload the application file. However, students need to complete the application. Choose the option to upload the documents at a later time

  1. Upon receipt of your application, your admission request will be processed and you will be notified whether you have been admitted or whether you must first meet additional requirements.
  2. Ensure that your payment of tuition fees for the Master has been received by 31 August so that you can complete your registration by then.
  3. Please check if you have to take an English language test. See the English language requirement page for the steps you need to complete.

  The Committee might contact you for additional information.

• I have an international degree

  Students must meet the following admission requirements: 

  1. Academic requirements  

  Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years). Please find more information about your admissibility with a non-Dutch degree here. 

  2. Programme specific requirements 

  To be considered for admission to the Master’s programme Philosophy of Neuroscience (PNS) you must meet the following requirements: 

  1. Hold an academic Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Psychology with a Biological Psychology or Neuropsychology profile. If you hold a Bachelor's degree in a closely related discipline (e.g. Movement Sciences, Artificial Intelligence or Medicine), you are also eligible to apply. 
  2. Be eligible to a Neuroscience Master’s or a related programme in which you can obtain 30 ECTS in neuroscience courses at a Master’s level. Since PNS applies philosophy on neuroscience, 30 ECTS must be obtained in this discipline at a Master’s level. Most of our students aim at obtaining two Master’s degrees, that is to say in PNS and in Neuroscience. There are no additional criteria beyond the admission criteria for the Master’s programme Neuroscience that is followed. 

  How to demonstrate that you meet the above requirements 

  You are required to indicate in the course description section of the Application Form how you meet the programme specific admission requirements.  

  Whether you meet the admission requirements, is determined by the Admission Board based on your complete application. 

  3. English-language proficiency requirements  

  You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.  

• Application with an international degree

  Application documents

  To apply you are required to provide the following documents:

  • Scan of your passport or national ID card (ID for EEA students only) valid at the start date of the programme
  • Master Application File please download the correct file from this page. In this file you can see which documents are required to apply for your programme.
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if already obtained): upload your proof of English language proficiency or English language test results. Please find the English language requirements here.

  After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. 

  Application fee & deadlines

  All students seeking admission to an international Master’s programme with an international degree are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Only after you have paid this fee will we be able to start the evaluation of your application file. If you are applying for more than one programme, you will only need to pay the application fee once. Your application fee payment is valid for two years.
  
  Information on how to apply with an international university degree and deadlines can be found here. 

  Grants and scholarships

  As an international student planning to study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, you can apply for a variety of grants and bursaries. Detailed information about scholarships and deadlines can be found on www.vu.nl/scholarships or www.grantfinder.nl.

  International Student and Alumni Ambassadors 

  Our International Student and Alumni Ambassadors are happy to tell you all about their experiences with studying at VU Amsterdam and living in Amsterdam.

  • Our Student Ambassadors are current students at VU Amsterdam that represent a wide variety of programmes and countries.
  • Our International Alumni Ambassadors are VU Amsterdam graduates who are currently either working in the Netherlands or abroad, or doing a PhD or (second) Master's.

  You will find the full overview of our Ambassadors here: vu.nl/ambassadors. There you can chat with them directly.