Application deadline: March 13, 2025

All applications should be submitted via the PSL portal.

The Master in Cognitive Science has a single admission session in 2025, which will open on January 14, and close on March 13 (23h59 Paris time).

CAUTION: Many questions candidates may have about the master's program are already answered on this website (see the Q&A section, and the entire 'Applications' tab for more information). Impulsive or untimely inquiries that could be resolved through a careful review of the available information unnecessarily take up the secretariat's time and are strongly discouraged.

 

Application process 

The procedure requires an online application and interviews. 

Admission is only possible for the first year (M1) of the program, with no option for direct entry into the second year (M2). There are a total of 50 slots available, and applications are evaluated by a panel based on the applicant's prior education and qualifications.

Note: If you are already normalien and want to join our master's program, you do not need to follow this application process. Please get in touch with the director of studies of our department (boubenec@ens.fr).

Timetable for the application process: 

  1. January 14, 2025: Opening of the admissions portal
  2. March 13, 2025 at 23:59 (Paris time): Closing of the admissions portal
  3. April: Publication of eligibility results
  4. April: Interviews of eligible applicants (remote interviews accepted)
  5. May: Publication of final admission results 

In preparing your application, please include the following:

  • On-line application form
  • Résumé (CV)
  • Cover letter: The cover letter is an essential part of your application. There is no set format, but it should not exceed three pages. It should highlight your knowledge, commitment and interest in studying cognitive science. There's no need to repeat what's already on your CV. It is more important to highlight your intellectual, scientific or professional development. Please also indicate how your interests match the strengths of our programme, and list the courses you would like to take and explain why. This will help us understand how you can fit into and benefit from our Masters programme. 
  • All higher education grade transcripts and diplomas (with French or English translations, if originals are in another language)
  • Recommendation letter (at least 1).
  • Optional writing sample: You can add a piece of written work produced during your previous studies (dissertation, thesis, or other essay produced during a class). If you have no such document, do not write one specifically for the application. Your covering letter is much more important.
  • Note that no official English test is required to apply.

Prerequisites 

This program is open to any student with a bachelor's degree in science or the humanities. Knowledge of French is not required.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are set by ministerial decree (€334 in 2021/22).

Become a Normalien: apply to the ENS double degree and scholarship

Master's degree candidates 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 the virtual certainty of receiving a PhD scholarship after the Master's degree, and a scholarship of around 1000€ per month for foreign students. Additional details can be found here.