Key Information
- Duration: Full-time, 36 months
- Start dates & application deadlines: Starting October 2026. Apply anytime. We have no application deadlines and PhD projects in our center can start throughout the year.
Overview
The research-oriented program in Sensory and Motor Neuroscience from University of Göttingen is taught in English and open to students who hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) in the biosciences, chemistry, physics, medicine, or related fields.
Features
- Processing of sensory information and subsequent motor responses form the basis of our interaction with the outside world. Sensory and motor deficits are common and of immense sociocultural relevance.
- Exploring the principles of peripheral and central sensory processing, motor programming and response requires a combination of anatomical, physiological and computational skills.
- Moreover, a general understanding of sensory coding and its conversion into cognitive processes and motor action relies on integrating specialized sensory curriculum with a broad neuroscience training.
Programme Structure
To obtain additional information about the program, we kindly suggest that you visit the programme website, where you can find further details and relevant resources.
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
GRE: Required
English requirements
TOEFL iBT: 80 OR IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
General requirements
- Master's and Bachelor's certificates and transcripts
- Statement by (prospective) supervisor (see here (pdf) for further information)
- Doctoral student's declaration (can be found in the application for admission form)
- English proficiency certificates (min. level C1, i.e. IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 110),
- short abstract of your PhD thesis (1/2 to 1 A4-page, not required for Physics of Biological and Complex Systems)
- optionally: certificates of other relevant examinations (e.g. GRE, reference letters, if available)
- If your documents are in a language other than German or English, you will need to include copies of an official translation (into German or English) as well.
Tuition Fees
- International: Free
- EU/EEA: Free
Additional Details
Tuition for doctoral studies is fully subsidized by the government for international and domestic students. The administrative semester fee of approx. 300 EUR.

