Master's Degree Programme
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September (no winter intake) |
Cognitive Science is the study of how processes in the mind shape human behavior. Cognitive scientists use advanced statistics, and sensitive experimental methods, to reveal the nature of these processes. They do this to advance our knowledge of human thought and behavior, and to apply this knowledge in real world settings.
As a students on the MSc in Cognitive Science, you will develop a theoretical understanding of the human brain and human cognitive function, and learn how to use this understanding to solve real world problems. You will learn how to develop your own computational and statistical models of cognitive process; how to analyse large and complex data sets; and how to use experimental tools, including functional brain imaging and eye-tracking technology, to measure human behavior.
Graduates from the MSc program will acquire knowledge, skills, and competences required to work in fields related to human decision making and consumer cognition; in fields related to data analytics; in fields related to information technology development and design; in fields related to human sensation and perception; and in research and development in the cognitive and behavioural sciences.
In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the master's degree programme in Cognitive Science. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements:
This section is relevant for you, if you have:
The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a bachelor's degree from a Danish institution:
Below you will also be able to learn more about language requirements and find out whether or not this master's degree programme has a limited intake.
If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements:
You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS).
For more information about how your bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database.
If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements.
You can be admitted to the master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below.
| Subject area | Number of ECTS |
Topics related to cognition. This could for example include courses in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral economics, psycholinguistics, or artificial intelligence | 30 |
Statistics and programming The following subject areas must be covered:
The 10 ECTS in programming content can be courses focused on statistical content, if statistical programming is required for those courses. | 40 |
| Total | 70 |
We cannot assess in advance whether your specific degree will meet the above requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for the programme if you believe that you meet the academic requirements. In this regard, it is a good idea to compare your degree with the programmes that provide direct admission.
The following Bachelor's degree programme(s) from Aarhus University entitles you to an offer of admission to the Master's degree programme in Cognitive Science:
Please note that you must apply for admission to the Master's degree programme within three years of completing your Bachelor's degree programme.
Learn more about Legal right of admission.
Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this Master's degree programme in Cognitive Science:
This master's degree programme has a limited intake.
Because of the limited intake all qualified applicants will be prioritised according to a set of selection critieria (see below).
Meeting the admission requirements does not automatically ensure your offer of admission. Only if you have a specific bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'legal right of admission' will you be guarenteed an offer of admission to this master's degree programme.
If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of vacant places, the following criteria will be taken into account in the selection process (each criterion counts as 1/3):
1. Grade level from qualifying degree programme
2. Grades achieved in relevant subject areas:
Cognition, including Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Behavioural Economics, Psycholinguistics or Artificial Intelligence
Statistics and Programming, including courses with documented Statistical content
Courses with documented Programming content. These may be courses focusing on Statistical content, if Statistical Programming is required for these courses.
Please note that grades obtained after the application deadline are not included in the grade level.
3. Relevant subject areas (expressed in ECTS credits). This assessment does not include ECTS credits, which are part of the admission requirements described under 'Other degree programmes that may give access'.
Cognition, including Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Behavioural Economics, Psycholinguistics or Artificial Intelligence
Statistics and Programming, including courses with documented Statistical content
Courses with documented Programming content. These may be courses focusing on Statistical content, if Statistical Programming is required for these courses.
In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's english language requirements.
Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement.
Unfortunately, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications.
As a student it is important to know the regulations for your chosen subject: what is the content, how is it structured and what does it require from you. You can find this information in the academic regulations.
The first semester includes courses in neuroscience and neuroimaging, decision-making, and statistical processing of natural language data. The second semester includes courses in computational and statistical modeling of cognition, human-computer interaction, and advanced methods for analysis of large and complex data sets. Classes and exams on the first two semesters are heavily project based, and are designed to allow students to develop a portfolio of project work during their study. The first two semesters also include intensive workshops focused on neuroimaging methodology and more advanced data science methods. In the third semester, students will have the option of studying abroad, completing an internship, or completing a faculty profile course, while also preparing for their MSc thesis, which they will write in the final semester.
In the following graphical presentation you can see the different modules and courses.
The MSc in Cognitive Science is a full time education, and requires students to work about 37-40 hours per week. This includes time spent in lectures and workshops, time spent preparing course work and exams, and time spent working in study groups and private study.
The student environment for Cognitive Science is located at Nobelparken, which is north of the main campus. As a student at Cognitive Science, you will be able to get involved with our social and academic activities. These include:
- experienced, photographed and filmed by the students themselves.
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Graduates from the MSc program will be trained to enter any field that requires skills in experimental design and statistical modeling for human behavior.
Graduates will be particularly well suited to careers in the following four sectors.
You can read more about the career services that are available from Arts Karriere who provide information about employment opportunities as well as arranging various events and workshops.
