Cognitive science studies the mind and intelligent behaviour by asking empirical and theoretical questions such as: What mechanisms underlie learning, forgetting and memory? How do people plan and guide actions, and how do we interpret others’ actions? What is the role of emotion in cognition? Which neural processes support object recognition? What does it mean to have concepts or to be rational? How have cognitive abilities evolved across species? This programme invites you to explore these kinds of questions using methods drawn from several complementary disciplines.
This two-year Master’s programme is taught in English and blends systematic theory with empirical practice from philosophy, psychology, neural computation, psychiatry and the neurosciences. You will be trained to apply and integrate different methodological approaches — for instance, combining philosophical analysis with behavioural experiments, neuroimaging, computational models and formal logic — in order to generate interdisciplinary solutions to core problems in cognitive science.
Although the degree is formally administered by the Faculty of Psychology, the programme depends on close collaboration among multiple departments. That structure allows for interdisciplinary coursework and substantial hands-on research opportunities across philosophy, psychology, neural computation, psychiatry and the neurosciences, preparing you for research roles or further doctoral studies in cognitive science and related fields.
Key facts and requirements (programme at a glance)
This two‑year (four‑semester) Master's is organised around six module types and combines introductory teaching, practical methods training, interdisciplinary core topics, and a research‑oriented final phase. The program moves from broad foundations in semester 1 to concentrated core topics in semester 2, targeted specialisation and an active research component in semester 3, and finishes with an independent Master's thesis in semester 4. It is designed to integrate philosophical, behavioral, neuroscientific and computational perspectives on cognition.
In semester 1 students take an Introduction to Cognitive Science, a Soft Skills module and the Basic Methods modules. Basic Methods options include Introduction to Philosophical Method, Introduction to Programming and Introduction to Statistics; depending on prior background students must take two or three of these. If only two basic methods modules are required, the remaining slot can be filled from the Free Choice offerings. Semester 2 consists of three Core modules — Mind & Language, Brain & Behaviour, and Computation & Artificial Intelligence — plus one Free Choice module. In semester 3 students select two of the three Focus modules (Mind & Language, Brain & Behaviour, Computation & Artificial Intelligence), complete a Research Module, and take another Free Choice. Semester 4 is devoted to the Master's thesis.
You must hold a completed Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) to apply. Degrees from universities inside the EU should comprise at least 180 ECTS; degrees earned outside the EU are accepted if judged equivalent by the admissions office. If your prior education uses a different credit system, the programme will assess equivalence on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants should have a background in one or more subjects closely related to cognitive science. The following areas are explicitly regarded as relevant, with some subjects requiring a minimum amount of coursework in specified subfields. Other degree programmes may also be accepted if they demonstrably focus on cognitive-science topics (for example, neurobiology or neuroinformatics), or if they include at least 60 ECTS of courses that are clearly related to cognitive science.
If your bachelor’s degree comprises two or more subjects (a joint/double major), at least one of the listed relevant subjects must account for a minimum of 60 ECTS, and a second relevant subject must include at least 15 ECTS.
Bullet-point summary of admission requirements:
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Graduates leave with a strong mix of theoretical, empirical and computational skills suited to research-focused roles. The programme prepares students for doctoral study (PhD) and for applied positions that require expertise in experimental design, statistical analysis, neuroimaging, computational modelling and interdisciplinary problem solving.
Because of its methodological breadth, alumni can pursue careers in academic research groups, research institutes, industry labs (e.g. in AI, human–computer interaction or cognitive modelling), or roles that intersect technology and cognitive neuroscience. The mandatory practical course and thesis project also help build a portfolio for both academic and non-academic employers.
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