Master's Degree Programme
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September (no winter intake) |
The Master's degree programme in Cognitive Science offers an in-depth study of how processes in the brain shape human behaviour.
You will use advanced statistical methods and experimental techniques to investigate these processes, enabling you to expand your knowledge of human thinking and behaviour and apply this knowledge in practice.
Throughout the programme, you will build a theoretical understanding of the human brain and human cognitive function, and you will learn to use this understanding to solve real-world problems.
You will acquire the skills to develop your own computational and statistical models of cognitive processes, and you will learn how to analyse large and complex datasets. In addition, you will be equipped to use experimental tools such as functional brain imaging and eye-tracking technology to measure human behaviour.
With a Master's degree in Cognitive Science, you will gain a highly sought-after profile and open the door to a wide range of career opportunities.
Among other things, you may work with human decision-making and consumer cognition, data analysis, the development and design of information technology, human sensation and perception, as well as research and development within 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 these sections, you can learn more about the English language requirement. You can also find out which ranking criteria we use to assess your application when prioritizing among the submitted applications.
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:
All Master’s degree programmes at Aarhus University have limited intake. This means that you are not guaranteed admission even if you meet the entry requirements. When we prioritize among applicants, we assess your application based on a set of fixed ranking criteria, which you can see below.
If you have a legal right of admission, you are guaranteed a place in the programme and do not need to consider the ranking criteria.
Ranking criteria:
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.
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.
Please note that grades achieved after the application deadline are not included in the assessment.
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.
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.
As a graduate of Cognitive Science, you can work in any context or industry where skills in experimental design and statistical modelling of human behaviour are required.
You may, for example, work within the following sectors:
Consumer cognition: With your in-depth knowledge of how human attention is captured, how we sense and perceive our surroundings, and how decisions are made, you will be able to help companies develop more relevant and user-friendly products and marketing materials.
Cognitive analytics: You can use your knowledge to maximise organisations’ use of existing data for the development of new strategies and products. Here, you can apply your skills in advanced statistical modelling, combined with your ability to explain complex human behaviour.
Information technology design: You will acquire the skills to analyse human–machine interaction. This means that you can contribute to the development of new technology intended for human use. You can also take part in both the design phase and the testing phase of research and development.
Sensory science: You will develop an understanding of how the brain transforms light, sound, and chemical energy into sensory information, and how this information is integrated into ways of perceiving the world. This knowledge makes you well suited for jobs in research and development within the food industry or in audio technology.
Graduates in Cognitive Science work, for example, as:
Data Scientist/Data Specialist
Consultant in Behavioural Psychology and Human Factors
Associate Consumer Scientist
Solution Specialist
CSR/ESG & Sustainability Manager
Ways of Working Consultant
UX Researcher & Designer
Arts Karriere offers inspiration, guidance, and career counselling regarding your career opportunities while you study. You can find examples of additional job opportunities with a Master's degree in Cognitive Science in Arts Karriere's Career Catalogue.
