Placement procedure

If you meet the degree requirements, you automatically advance to the Cognitive Neuroscience placement procedure. During the placement procedure, the selection board determines whether you are allowed to enter the Research Master's programme of Cognitive Neuroscience. 

  • Within three weeks of your initial OSIRIS application, Radboud University will inform you whether you meet the degree requirements via email. If you do, the message will state that you need to participate in the placement procedure.
  • The placement procedure takes place across three separate rounds; you will receive a separate email confirming your inclusion in the procedure and the placement round you have been assigned to. More information on the placement rounds is listed below.
  • The placement procedure is carried out by the Cognitive Neuroscience Selection Board based on all required documentation in your OSIRIS application file. No active participation is required from you, unless the board contacts you for an intake interview. 

Placement rounds 

Candidates who are admitted to the placement procedure are assigned to one of the three placement rounds. The round you are in is predetermined by the application deadline that applies to you. You only partake in one round, and you have no control over which round applies to you. The rounds are as follows: 

  • Round 1 takes place in February and only includes candidates from outside of the EU/EEA who have applied for one of Radboud University’s scholarship opportunities and whose application deadline is January 31. The outcome of round 1 is announced in March.
  • Round 2 takes place in April and includes all remaining candidates from outside of the EU/EEA whose application deadline is April 1, due to the visa application process. The outcome of round 2 is announced in April.
  • Round 3 takes place in May and includes all candidates whose application deadline is May 1, regardless of application date. If you applied, for instance, in October, but your application deadline is May 1, you are included in round 3. The outcome of round 3 is announced in June.  

Depending on when you apply, you may need to wait a while before your placement round takes place. We ask you for your patience during these months. The Selection Board does not consider requests from students to be included in a different round.  

Selection criteria and documents 

The placement procedure consists of an assessment of your OSIRIS application file using three selection criteria. The criteria, as well as the instruments that are used to measure them, are as follows: 

  • Academic performance as measured by the grades on your transcript of records, your reference letters, and CV;
  • Motivation for wishing to enrol in the programme and the chosen track; as measured by your motivation letter, and, if deemed necessary, an intake interview;
  • Topical fit of your previous degree and research experience with the Cognitive Neuroscience and the chosen track, as measured by your transcript of records, motivation letter, and CV. Check the Extra Requirements on the admission page for the track specific requirements.

Outcome

Candidates in round 1, 2, and 3 will be notified in March, April, and June respectively whether or not they are offered a place in the Research Master's. You will receive the outcome via the email address you entered in Studielink. If you are offered a place in the Research Master's, please make sure to meet the enrolment conditions before the enrolment deadline. There is no need to formally accept the offer. If you are not offered a place in the Master’s, your application in Studielink will be withdrawn and unfortunately you cannot enrol for this programme.