How to apply for MEi:CogSci programme in Bratislava

Application deadline for the academic year 2024-25 is 30th April 2024!


The master programme in cognitive science is taught in English at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava and follows the admission procedure described below. Because there is no equivalent program taught in Slovak, there is currently no tuition fee for the study regardless of the domicile of the applicant. We welcome applicants from various areas of science (formal science, natural science, social science, humanities). We prefer the diversity of candidates with different backgrounds.

The number of students admitted to the programme is limited to max. 25 per year. The programme starts in the winter semester (mid September). In order to assess your qualification for the cognitive science master programme, we ask you to follow the application procedure as stated below. All deadlines and dates concern the application for the current calendar year.

1. Application Phase

As the first step, you need to fill in the application form via the university electronic system. The accompanying legal documents confirming fulfilment of admission conditions must be sent (only) in electronic form to the Head of the Study office at so@fmph.uniba.sk:

  • for students who have already completed bachelor's degree or equivalent: Legalized copy of bachelor´s degree diploma (in English or Slovak), otherwise: Confirmation of ongoing study towards university degree to be completed before September 2024 (in English or Slovak) – in that case the admission would be conditional.
  • Official transcript of completed courses during the bachelor studies (in English or Slovak).
  • Copy of your passport or identity card
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Confirmation of paid application fee

Important notes

Please be aware that official documents (bachelor/master degree certificate, transcript of grades) need to be provided in English or Slovak. If they are translations from other languages, the translations must be by certified translators. Copies have to be legalised by a notary.

International students are required to fulfill conditions equivalent to students from Slovakia. Accepted applicants from abroad and Slovak citizens, who completed their bachelor's degree at institutions outside of Slovakia, will be required to provide Certificate of degree equivalence confirming that their bachelor's degree is recognized in Slovakia. The certificate must be provided to the Registrar's Office on the day of registration for the first year of studies at the latest (early September).

Proof of English language proficiency

Applicants who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate English proficiency (on B2 level or higher) by either:

  • presenting results in an internationally recognized test (e.g. TOEFL: min. 230 computer-based, 570 paper-based or 88 internet-based; Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English) or
  • proof of higher education in English or
  • any other equivalent proof of English language proficiency

Application fee

The application fee of 15 EUR is payable by a bank transfer.

Account number/IBAN: SK 88 8180 0000 0070 0013 8327
SWIFT: SPSRSKBA
Account name: Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave

Bank address:
Štátna pokladnica
Radlinského 32
810 05 Bratislava

For payments from Slovakia, include Variable symbol 800 and Specific symbol - your birthdate number (10 digits).
For payments from abroad, include the following reference for the recipient: VS800 your name

2. Entrance exam

Upon receiving your application, the Study office will check your documents and send you an email with further instructions about the entrance exam. Entrance exam will be realized via an electronic submission system. The study office will send you a link and login data, together with the deadline date (expect June) for submitting the required materials (all in English). The submission system will be closed after the deadline.

Once you log in the submission system, there will be detailed instructions there about what to upload and/or fill in. Expect at least the following:

  • Structured CV
  • Motivation letter
  • 1-2 letters of reference (optional)
  • Further information about your motivation to study cognitive science, and your past activities toward this goal
  • A research question you would like to pursue during your studies.

Evaluation procedure and evaluation criteria

Your submitted materials will be evaluated by the entrance exam committee for fulfilment of the conditions for admission to the study programme. In particular, the committee will assess your relevant previous interdisciplinary experience, motivation for study and the research plan. In justified cases, the committee can decide to invite you for a further oral (online) interview – in that case you will be contacted by email with further instructions (in the 2nd half of June).

You will receive an official decision letter from the study office about acceptance or rejection of your application at the contact address you have indicated in your application form (usually in the first half of July).

3. Admission at the Comenius University in Bratislava

After receiving your written official notification of admission (at the beginning of July), sent to your contact address, you will be asked to confirm your interest to study at Comenius University in Bratislava, by sending an email to the Head of the Study office (to so@fmph.uniba.sk), by the end of July. In case you will need accommodation at the dormitory, do not forget to apply (by informing the Head of the Study office).

In-person registration of accepted students will take place shortly before the beginning of the academic year (before mid September).

Notes

  1. Please note that Comenius University in Bratislava does not take responsibility for accepted applicant's obligations to legalize their stay in Slovak Republic. Please refer to practical information for foreign students at the university webpages.
  2. In case of any questions, do not hesitate to contact Igor Farkas.