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.
The following degree programmes qualify the student for admission to the Master’s degree programme in Cognitive Science:
Other qualifications can provide admission to the Master’s degree programme, provided the university assesses that their level, extent and content correspond to the degrees mentioned above.
The corresponding Bachelor’s degree should as a minimum include:
Students with a Bachelor's degree programme in Cognitive Science at Aarhus University have the right to be admitted to the Master's degree programme in Cognitive Science on the condition that application is made for admission to the Master’s degree programme no later than three years after completion of the Bachelor’s degree programme. The legal right of admission requires receipt of the application by Aarhus University within the appropriate period of time.
English at B level at upper-secondary school or the equivalent is a requirement for admission: read about English language requirements.
As the Master’s degree programmes in Cognitive Science only admits a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme.
In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assesses each applicant on the basis of the average mark (i.e. GPA) of the Bachelor’s degree at the time of application. Marks/grades obtained after the application deadline will not be included in the GPA. The admissions committee assesses each applicant’s marks on the basis of the information provided by diplomas and transcripts.
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.
With thousands of pictures #AUInternational, #AarhusUni gives insight into the everyday life as a student at AU; the parties, procrastination, exams and all the other ways you’ll spend your time at university.
The photos belong to the users, shared with #AUInternational and #AarhusUni.
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.
