Perception, Action and Control

Programme description: The Master's in Perception, Action and Control at Radboud University offers an in-depth exploration of the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying human perception, motor functions, and behavioral regulation. This innovative programme is designed for students who are eager to understand how the brain processes sensory information, plans, and executes actions, and how these processes are integrated to produce coherent behavior. The curriculum combines advanced coursework, research projects, and practical training to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience in fields such as neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science. Throughout the programme, students will examine topics including sensory systems, neurophysiology, motor control, decision-making processes, and the interaction between perception and action. The programme emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from fields like biology, computer science, and philosophy, to provide a well-rounded understanding of how the mind and brain function. Students will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities, allowing them to participate in cutting-edge experiments and contribute to ongoing scientific advancements. The programme prepares graduates for careers in academia, research institutions, healthcare, and industry, particularly in areas focusing on neurological disorders, rehabilitation, human-computer interaction, and artificial intelligence. Graduates will be equipped with critical thinking skills, technical expertise, and a strong foundation in scientific research methodologies. The collaborative learning environment at Radboud University encourages student engagement, innovation, and professional development, fostering lifelong skills applicable across various scientific and practical domains. With its comprehensive curriculum and focus on empirical research, this master's programme offers a unique opportunity to explore the complexities of perception, action, and control, ultimately contributing to scientific understanding and technological innovation in this fascinating field.

The Master's programme in Perception, Action and Control at Radboud University offers an interdisciplinary and challenging education that prepares students for advanced research and development roles within the field of cognitive neuroscience, robotics, and human-computer interaction. This programme focuses on understanding the complex processes underlying perception, motor skills, and the control mechanisms that enable humans and intelligent systems to interact effectively with their environment. Throughout the programme, students delve into core topics such as sensory processing, sensorimotor integration, neural control mechanisms, decision-making, and adaptive behavior. The curriculum is designed to combine theoretical foundations with practical applications, encouraging students to develop analytical skills, experiment with state-of-the-art technologies, and engage in multidisciplinary research projects. Students will explore how different sensory modalities contribute to perception, how the nervous system orchestrates complex movements, and how control systems can be modeled and implemented in artificial agents. The programme also emphasizes the development of computational models of perception and action, giving students the tools to simulate and analyze neural and behavioral data.

Graduate students will have access to world-class research laboratories and facilities, allowing for hands-on work with cutting-edge technologies such as neuroimaging, robotics, and computer vision. The programme fosters a collaborative environment, integrating perspectives from psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and engineering. This multidisciplinary approach encourages innovative thinking and prepares students for careers in academia, research institutes, and industry, particularly in areas requiring expertise in human-machine interaction, robotic control systems, and cognitive modeling. The programme typically includes coursework, practical laboratory assignments, and a final research thesis, where students contribute new scientific knowledge to the field. Graduates of the programme will possess a comprehensive understanding of the principles and methods used to study perception, action, and control systems, as well as the skills needed to apply this knowledge to solve practical problems in technology and healthcare. This Master's programme aims to produce highly competent professionals capable of advancing scientific understanding and technological innovation in the dynamic fields of perception, action, and control.

A completed Bachelor's degree in Linguistics, Physics, Biology, Medicine, Mathematics, Behavioural Sciences, Artificial Intelligence or a related discipline

The graduation date of the last attained Bachelor’s degree relevant for this programme must be within five years of applying to the programme.

A proficiency in English

In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English. Non-native speakers of English* without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following:

• A TOEFL score of >=600 (paper based) or >=100 (internet based)
• An IELTS score of >=7.0
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher

Specialisation specific requirements

For the specialisation in Perception, Action and Control, students with a background in psychology, biology, (bio-)medical sciences, or natural sciences can apply. Specifically, we require demonstrable knowledge in the following domains:

1. Biophysics (e.g., Hobbie, R.K. & Roth, B.J., 2015 ‘Intermediate Physics for Medicine and Biology’).
2. Neuroscience (e.g., Kandel, E. & Schwartz, J., 2013 ‘Principles of neural science’ or Purves, D., 2012 ‘Neuroscience’).
3. Psychonomics (perception, motor control) (e.g., Gazzaniga, M. & Ivry, R.B., 2013 ‘Cognitive neuroscience: The biology of the mind’, or Wolfe, J.M. & Herz, R.S., 2014 ‘Sensation & Perception’).
4. Experimental design and statistics (e.g., Moore, D.S., McCabe, G.P., & Craig, B.A., 2014, ‘Introduction to the practice of statistics’; or McClave, J.T., & Sincich, T., 2013, ‘Statistics’).

To give you an indication of the content and level of knowledge you need in each of these areas, we have suggested handbooks that meet the level we expect from our candidates. Please note: Students should have at least the level of knowledge indicated above with respect to areas 1 and 2 OR 3 and 4 when they start the programme.

* Applicants are considered to be a native speaker of English if they are from Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa.

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University. Some of the opportunities are described below. A full list, including detailed information, can be found on our scholarships and grants page at our website. 

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Open to a select number of excellent international students. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,083 in 2019/2020). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, South-Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,083 in 2019/2020). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Open to excellent American students. The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of 1,050 euros. International travel and the cost of the residence permit will be covered, and an extra allowance of €1150 will be paid on arrival.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to excellent students from China. Consists of a contribution of € 16,113 towards the total costs of one year of study or research in the Netherlands.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education institutions in Indonesia who wish to pursue a PhD or Master's at a university in the Netherlands. A DIKTI scholarship includes allowances for living expenses, insurance, travel costs, tuition fees and more.

Indonesian Education Scholarship (LPDP)

Open to excellent Indonesian students under the age of 35. Involves a full scholarship.

Holland Scholarship Programme

Open to excellent students from Canada, America, India and Turkey. Scholarship consists of 5,000 euros payed at the start of study.

Dutch Student Finance

EU/EEA students and Swiss students under 30 years of age are eligible if they are working at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands, or have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more. Dutch student finance consists of four components: a basic grant, a supplementary grant (depending on the parental income), a student travel product, and a loan.

The master's program in Perception, Action and Control at Radboud University is a comprehensive advanced degree focused on understanding the complex interactions between sensory perception, motor actions, and the underlying control mechanisms in biological systems, particularly humans. The program is designed for students interested in exploring how the brain processes sensory information to produce coordinated actions, and how these processes can be modeled, analyzed, and applied in various scientific and technological contexts. Throughout the program, students engage in interdisciplinary coursework that combines cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, and computational modeling, providing a well-rounded understanding of perceptual and motor systems. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, making graduates well-equipped to conduct research or work in fields such as neuroscience, robotics, human-computer interaction, and biomedical engineering. The curriculum often includes courses on sensorimotor integration, neural control of movement, psychophysics, neural modeling, and experimental methods. Students may also participate in research projects under the guidance of faculty members, gaining hands-on experience with data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The program prepares students not only for academic research but also for careers in industry where knowledge of perception-action mechanisms is valuable, such as in the development of neuroprosthetics, virtual reality systems, or adaptive devices. Graduates will have developed key skills in scientific reasoning, experimental design, programming, and data analysis. The program typically spans one or two years, depending on the student's background and specific track chosen, and concludes with a master's thesis that demonstrates research competence. Admission requirements usually include a relevant undergraduate degree, such as psychology, biology, cognitive science, or computer science, and proficiency in English. Upon completion, students receive a Master of Science degree that qualifies them for PhD studies or professional roles requiring expertise in perception, action, and control.