This English-language Master’s program explores the many facets of cognition — perception, attention, memory, learning, problem solving and reasoning, emotions, and language — from an interdisciplinary perspective. You will study how these cognitive abilities are realised and organised in both biological and artificial systems, covering topics such as brain structure, neural architectures and connectionist networks, and autonomous agents. The curriculum also addresses complex information-processing applications (for example, intelligent tutoring systems and spoken dialogue systems) from design and implementation angles, including human–computer interaction considerations.
The programme combines coursework with practical projects and a research thesis. It totals 120 ECTS (including the thesis) and awards the degree Master of Science (MSc) in Cognitive Science. In semesters two and three students take part in a student project, and the programme concludes with a Master’s thesis in the fourth semester (30 ECTS). You choose one or two of four thematic focus areas to structure your studies and specialisation.
This two-year, four‑semester Master's curriculum totals 120 ECTS (including the thesis) and combines taught courses with substantial hands‑on research training. Coursework accounts for 90 ECTS and is followed by a 30‑ECTS Master’s thesis that completes the degree. Course information and crediting are provided in both German and English in line with the ECTS framework. Student mentors are available throughout the program to advise on study choices, project planning and general academic questions.
The program’s core learning experiences center on a one‑year study project (24 ECTS), normally carried out across the second and third semesters, where you apply interdisciplinary methods to an extended research or development task. A further 44 ECTS come from selected focus areas (with 20 ECTS required per chosen focus area), allowing you to gain deeper, specialized knowledge. The remaining 22 ECTS are devoted to free electives, offering flexibility to broaden skills or pursue complementary topics. The final semester is reserved for writing and submitting the Master’s thesis (30 ECTS).
Key learning outcomes include the ability to integrate theories and methods from multiple disciplines, design and execute a sustained research project, and communicate results in academic formats in German and/or English. Graduates will have specialized expertise from their chosen focus areas, practical experience from the year‑long project, and demonstrated capacity for independent scholarly work via the thesis—preparing them for research roles or further academic study.
Requirements (at a glance)
A completed Bachelor's degree (or an equivalent qualification) in cognitive science is required to enter the Master's programme at Osnabrück University. Applicants holding a degree that is considered comparable or closely related to cognitive science will also be considered.
Specifically, candidates who have earned a Bachelor's degree (or an equivalent qualification) in one of the following disciplines may be admitted, reflecting the programme’s interdisciplinary focus:
Winter Semester (International)
15 June 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 December 2026
Graduates are prepared for research and development roles across academia and industry where cognitive modelling, machine learning, human–computer interaction, computational linguistics, neuroinformatics and ethics of AI are relevant. The mix of theoretical, experimental and implementation-focused training supports careers in R&D teams, technology companies, research institutes, and interdisciplinary labs.
The degree also provides a pathway to doctoral studies in cognitive science, neuroscience, computer science or related disciplines, and equips students with transferable skills for roles in product design, UX, data science, and AI policy or ethics.
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