Important novelty compared to previous years: The Cogmaster used to have two admissions sessions, an early session, called "fast track" which opened in November and a normal session opening in March. This year, there will be only one admission session which will open on January 10, and close on March 10, 2023.
The process involves an online application and interviews.
Most candidates apply to the first year (M1). Their application is evaluated by the admission track that best corresponds to their initial training. The admission track does not presume that the student will follow the same major in their curriculum.
Number of slots available in M1 : 50 .
Candidates who already hold an M1 or equivalent degree can also apply directly to M2. Number of slots available in M2 : 50, including about 10 for direct admissions.
Immediately after admission, successful M2 applicants will have to secure an internship in a host laboratory and submit a research project. In order to facilitate this process, M2 applicants are encouraged to browse the list of Cogmaster-affiliated laboratories and the list of research internship proposals. Note that these lists are only indicative, not limitative. Applicants should indicate in their motivation letter their research interests and the labs and internships that they are considering. They will be invited to make a first contact with potential supervisors only if they are short-listed.
In preparing your application, please include the following:
This programme is open to students who have a bachelor degree in psychology, biology, linguistics, philosophy, social science, mathematics, physics or computer science. It is also open to medical and engineering students. Other backgrounds may be eligible and are considered on a case by case basis.
We expect students to have strong learning skills and be hard-working and self-motivated to assimilate knowledge in other areas. In addition to the qualities necessary for research (attention to detail, rigor, scepticism, but also curiosity, independence and initiative), students must demonstrate good written and oral communication skills.
Knowledge of the French language is not required for the admissions nor for courses, but it is important to have basics of French for your everyday life in Paris.
The Cogmaster is co-accredited by 3 universities: ENS-PSL, University of Paris, and EHESS. Students admitted to the Cogmaster will be registered in one of these universities, and will receive their degree from that university. Depending on the university where they are registered, students may have access to slightly different administrative and student life services. However, the curriculum (courses, internships and all pedagogical activities) is strictly identical.
Each university offers a fixed number of places at the Cogmaster. These places are allocated in order of the admission ranking, and as a function of each applicant's choice. In the Application portal, applicants are therefore requested to indicate which university they wish to apply to (1 to 3 wishes), and to rank their wishes. Applicants wishing to maximise their chances of admission should apply to all three universities.
* More information on the ENS- PSL
* More information on University of Paris
* More information on EHESS
Tuition fees are set by ministerial decree (€334 in 2021/22).
Institution for registration: Ecole normale supérieure-PSL, Université de Paris or EHESS
Degree issued: French Master’s degree delivered by Université PSL, Université de Paris or EHESS.
Cogmaster applicants are strongly encouraged to also apply to become a fellow of the École Normale Supérieure, also known as a "Normalien", a famous and highly prestigious status in the French academic system.
Cogmaster applicants are strongly encouraged to also apply to become a fellow of the École Normale Supérieure, also known as a Normalien, a highly prestigious status in the French academic system with a number of very important benefits including a scholarship of around 1000€ monthly (for foreign students). More details here.
BEWARE!!! The application to become a Normalien for foreign students is way earlier than cogmaster application. Application procedure is here, and the deadline is December 7, 2022 (23h59, Paris time).