Education & Career
The GK’s Education and Professional Practice Commission consists of representatives from the major university centers for cognitive science in Germany. It serves as the central point of contact for cognitive science in the context of education and for industry partners.
First Report of the Training and Professional Practice Commission, 2003
In their role as the Education Committee, the members identify study opportunities in the field of cognitive science in Germany (and closely related disciplines) and provide up-to-date information on the Society’s website.
In its capacity as the Professional Practice Commission, the commission collects and compiles information on internships and apprenticeships for graduates with a background in cognitive science, which is also available through the GK website as a central point of contact.
Another goal of the Commission on Education and Professional Practice is to develop general educational recommendations for cognitive science degree programs at universities, based on existing degree programs in Germany and tailored to the needs of academia, research, and industry.
Study Opportunities in Germany
On this page, you will find a selection of study programs in the field of cognitive science in Germany. Generally, study programs in cognitive science include both undergraduate bachelor’s programs and consecutive master’s programs in cognitive science and/or closely related fields of study.
With a bachelor’s degree, graduates hold an initial professional qualification (standard degree) that prepares them in particular for practical and application-oriented fields of work, while also laying the foundation for further master’s studies in cognitive science or related disciplines.
With a master’s degree, graduates can pursue a further academic career (Ph.D.) or take on leadership roles in professional settings—such as in interdisciplinary teams and projects at companies, public agencies, or research institutions.
Consecutive Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs
Cognitive Science in Germany
Eberhard Karls University Tübingen
Kognitionswissenschaft (major) / B.Sc / M.Sc / Dr. rer nat
uni-tuebingen.de/fakultaeten/mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche-fakultaet/
The bachelor’s program at the University of Tübingen begins by providing students with essential, relatively broad-based foundational knowledge in mathematics, computer science, psychology, neurobiology, and statistics. Building on this foundation, students acquire knowledge in linguistics, the methodology of experimental research, and the philosophy of mind. In the second phase of the program, the focus shifts to integrating the course content, project-based teamwork, and further specialization in the student’s area of interest; in addition, interdisciplinary, career-oriented skills are acquired as part of the program. The bachelor’s program culminates in the bachelor’s thesis, which provides training in independent scholarly work on a selected topic within the field of cognitive science.
The master’s program at the University of Tübingen is decidedly research-oriented: By being embedded in a highly active research environment, students receive training in both basic and applied research, enabling them not only to gain firsthand experience with cognitive science research and its potential applications right on campus, but also to actively shape it. Thanks to a broad range of elective courses focusing on natural cognition, statistics and methods, and artificial cognition, students can either gain a broad foundation tailored to their individual interests or choose a specific area of specialization. The program culminates in a master’s thesis, in which students independently conduct a research project in cognitive science.
TU Darmstadt
Kognitionswissenschaft (major) / B.Sc / M.Sc
tu-darmstadt.de/studieren/
Cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence form the core of the curriculum for the cognitive science degree programs at TU Darmstadt.
In addition to introductory courses in cognitive science, the bachelor’s program places a strong emphasis on mathematics and computer science as the foundation for understanding artificial intelligence. These are complemented by introductory courses in neurobiology, linguistics, and philosophy. Building on this broad foundation, students then receive training in project-based teamwork through practice-oriented courses. An interdisciplinary elective track also allows students to choose their own areas of focus and pursue in-depth study. As part of their bachelor’s thesis, students learn, under supervision, to address and present a specific research question using methods from cognitive science.
In addition to a common core curriculum of courses in perception and action, higher cognition, and applied cognitive science, the master’s program offers a comprehensive selection of elective courses that includes not only courses in computer science but also courses in the social sciences and humanities, psychology, sports science, mathematics, biology, and electrical and information engineering. The master’s program is rounded out by a master’s project, in which students work in teams on one or more scientific or applied problems, as well as the master’s thesis, in which students independently investigate and present a scientific research question in a research or applied field of cognitive science
Universität Osnabrück
Kognitionswissenschaft (major) / B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Dr. rer nat
uni-osnabrueck.de/studieninteressierte/studiengaenge/
The cognitive science program at the University of Osnabrück brings together virtually all relevant disciplines in a series of bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs that build on one another. In the bachelor’s program, students acquire fundamental knowledge in the disciplines of mathematics, computer science, computational linguistics, neurobiology, neuroinformatics, philosophy of mind, cognitive psychology, and artificial intelligence through required courses. By taking courses from the elective-required curriculum in the aforementioned disciplines, students can further specialize in order to take module exams in five of the eight disciplines. In the bachelor’s thesis that concludes the program, students learn, under supervision, to independently address and present a defined scientific problem in the field of cognitive science.
In this primarily English-language master’s program, students can choose two of six areas of specialization (Cognitive Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics and Computational Linguistics, Neuroinformatics and Robotics, Neuroscience, and Philosophy of Mind and Cognition) and thus further specialize according to their interests. As part of a one-year academic project, students work in small teams to carry out a research project, thereby gaining practical and real-world training in project-based work and research. In addition to the traditional master’s program, the University of Osnabrück also offers a double-degree program in collaboration with the University of Trento (Italy), in which master’s students can complete their second year of study at the University of Trento after spending their first year in Osnabrück.
Master’s Programs in Cognitive Science
Universität Bochum
Cognitive Science / M.Sc.
studienangebot.rub.de/de/cognitive-science/
Universität Potsdam
Cognitive Science – Embodied Cognition / M.Sc. / Phd
uni-potsdam.de/de/studium/studienangebot/
Master’s Programs Related to Cognitive Science in Germany
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Kognitionswissenschaft (Nebenfach) / B.Sc
cognition.uni-freiburg.de/studium/
Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin
Computational Neuroscience / M.Sc.
Studienbereiche: Neuroinformatics, Psychology, Neurobiopsychology
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Neural & Behavioural Sciences / M.Sc. / PhD
Studienbereiche: Bereiche Psychology, Neurobiopsychology
uni-tuebingen.de/studium/studienangebot/
Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
Berlin School of Mind and Brain / M.Sc. / PhD
The Berlin School of Mind and Brain is a graduate institution of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin). We offer a two-year Master’s degree “Mind and Brain” and a three-year doctoral program. The interdisciplinary research, education and training takes place in English. Our focus is on the interface between the humanities and behavioral sciences with the neurosciences.
mind-and-brain.de
LMU München
Neuro-Cognitive Psychology / M.Sc.
Studienbereiche: Psychology, Neurobiopsychology
psy.lmu.de/ncp/
Technische Universität Berlin
Human Factors / M.Sc.
The Human Factors master’s program is an interdisciplinary program designed for psychologists and engineers who hold a bachelor’s or Diplom degree.
humanfactors.tu-berlin.de/
Technische Universität Chemnitz
Sensorik und kognitive Psychologie / B.Sc. / M.Sc.
tu-chemnitz.de/physik/SEKO/
Technische Universität München
Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence / M.Sc.
The master’s program in “Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence” is a joint program offered by the Schools of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, and Mechanical Engineering, and combines various engineering disciplines—such as mechanical engineering and electrical engineering—with computer science.
https://www.cit.tum.de/cit/studium/studiengaenge/master-robotics-cognition-intelligence/
Universität Bamberg
Angewandte Informatik mit Schwerpunkt Kognitive Systeme / B.Sc.‘
uni-bamberg.de/kogsys/studium/
Universität Bielefeld
Kognitive Informatik / B.Sc.
ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de/sinfo/
Intelligente Systeme / M. Sc.
ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de/sinfo/
Universität Bremen
Informatik mit den Modulen “Kognitive Systeme” und “Neuroinformatik” / B.Sc. / M.Sc.
uni-bremen.de/studium/
Universität Duisburg-Essen
Angewandte Kognitions- und Medienwissenschaft / B.Sc. / M.Sc.
Studienbereiche; Psychologie, Informatik
uni-due.de/studienangebote/
Universität Düsseldorf
Informationswissenschaft und Sprachtechnologie / B.Sc. / M.Sc.
Studienbereiche: Linguistics, Computer Linguistics
isi.hhu.de/bereiche-des-institutes/
Universität Magdeburg
Philosophie – Neurowissenschaften – Kognition / B.Sc.
studycheck.de/studium/philosophie/uni-magdeburg/
Universität des Saarlandes
Language Science and Technology / M.Msc
Studienbereiche: Psychology, Linguistics, Computer Linguistics
uni-saarland.de/studium/angebot/master/
Universität Ulm
Cognitive Systems / M.Sc.
Studienbereiche: Perzeption und Kognition, Lernen und Gedächtnis, Planung, Entscheidungsfindung und Schlussfolgern, sowie Interaktion
uni-ulm.de/in/fakultaet/studium/studiengaenge/cognitive-systems/
Internships and Apprenticeships
The Education and Professional Practice Committee of the Society for Cognitive Science / Gesellschaft für Kognitionswissenschaft provides information on potential internships and job opportunities for graduates with a background in cognitive science under the heading “Jobs for Cognitive Scientists.”
The following members are also available to answer questions about specific career fields:
- Mensch-Maschine-Interaktion: Prof. Dr. Leon Urbas, TU Dresden
- Usability: Prof. Dr. Manfred Thüring, TU Berlin
- Sprachverarbeitung/Multimodale Systeme: Prof. Dr. Stefan Kopp, Universität Bielefeld
- Virtuelle Realität/Prototyping: Prof. Dr. Ipke Wachsmuth, Universität Bielefeld
- Medien/Journalismus: Prof. Dr. Annette Leßmöllmann, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
- E-learning/Multimedia: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Glowalla, Universität Gießen
- Neurowissenschaften/-Technologie: Prof. Dr. John-Dylan Haynes, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin (BCCN)