About the programme

The master's programme in Cognition & Communication combines an interdisciplinary and theoretical focus with a practical principle of relevancy in the context of media and people, while attempting to answer the question: How can we understand cognitive processes associated with the widespread media consumption of individuals in modern society?

Who studies this programme?

The programme attracts students from all over the world who are interested in the interplay between cognitive processes and the technological and media environments in which they are situated. The students have a wide range of academic backgrounds, such as communication and media, psychology, philosophy and various other disciplines.

Why is this programme relevant?

The ecologies in which humans think and communicate are changing rapidly. Therefore, it is vital to understand how digital technologies and media environments mediate cognition and communication. As a graduate, you gain a deep understanding of cognitive processes and can apply that knowledge in various communication contexts. The programme balances theoretical learning with practical application, preparing students for real-world challenges

Admission and application

To apply for admission to this master's degree programme, you must have completed a qualifying bachelor’s degree or a similar Danish or international degree programme which is assessed to be relevant. Apply for admission via the application portal.

Below, you can read more about admission requirements and which documents to upload in the application portal. 

Academic admission requirements

Here you'll find the different academic requirements depending on which qualifying degree you hold.

Academic admission requirements

If you hold one of the bachelor's degrees listed below, you are considered to automatically meet the requirements regarding relevance of academic qualifications:

  • Philosophy from the ¸£Àû¼§
  • Philosophy from the University of Aarhus
  • Philosophy from the University of Southern Denmark
  • Psychology from the Universities of Copenhagen, Aarhus or Southern Denmark
  • Film and Media Studies from the ¸£Àû¼§
  • Media Studies from the University of Aarhus
  • Cognitive data science (BSc) from the ¸£Àû¼§

In order to proceed with your application please refer to the application procedure.

Check which master’s programmes at UCPH your bachelor programme is pre-approved for admission to. Please note that the admission tool is only available in Danish.

The faculty may admit applicants other than those mentioned above if it is assessed that the applicant has a Bachelor’s degree including a minimum of 45 ECTS in cognitive science (e.g. psychology, neuroscience, computer science, philosophy, or linguistics) or in communica-tion/media studies (e.g. modules in media sociology, media psychology, communication theory, au-diovisual theory and analysis, media reception and usage, media effects, or media organizations).

In order to proceed with your application please refer to the application procedure.

Language requirements

Applicants to an English-taught master's degree programmes at the Faculty of Humanities are required to document their English language proficiency in accordance with the language requirements for admission. Read more about the language requirements below. 

Application deadlines

Study start in September

1 March at 23:59

Application deadline for Danish applicants and applicants from within the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 16 January. You will receive a reply by 10 June.

15 January at 23:59

Application deadline for applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 15 November. You will receive a reply by 1 May.

How to apply

Choose your category and read how to apply for admission. You can also find information about deadlines and documentation requirements. 

Please note that you must also select according to your citizenship:

  • Citizen from Denmark, EU, EEA or Switzerland (EU)
  • Citizen from countries outside EU, EEA or Switzerland (NON-EU)

If you are a citizen in Denmark, EU, EEA or Switzerland

If you already hold a master’s degree or completed master’s level courses you must be aware of the following rules:

I have completed a master’s degree

If you have already completed a master's degree corresponding to a Danish master’s degree please refer to the rules concerning a second degree.

I have completed individual master’s level courses

If you previously completed master’s level courses, you must inform the Faculty of Humanities in your application when applying for admission to the programme.

You must include documentation for your completed courses. The Faculty of Humanities assess if your credits can be transferred after admission to the programme.

How your application is assessed

Admission to the programme is competitive and limited to 40 students. 

The applicants who meet the academic requirements will be evaluated on the basis of their overall qualifications and ranked in accordance to the selection criteria below. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the maximum student intake, students will be selected on the basis of their ranking. The highest ranked of the qualified applicants get an offer to join the programme.

Selection criteria

  • Academic relevance of the applicant’s bachelor’s degree, with emphasis on modules within cognitive science (e.g. modules in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, computer modelling, or linguistics) or media studies (e.g. modules in media sociology, communication theory, Audio-visual theory and analysis, media effect studies).
  • The letter of academic relevance and the information provided herein.
  • CV and the information provided herein
  • Grades obtained in modules relevant to the MA in Cognition and Communication
Admission statistics Cognition and Communication 2024
Admitted 43
Admission distribution (legal right/other) 0% / 100%
Applicants 468
Age average 24
Legal gender distribution (cpr. - m/f) 16% / 84%
Nationality (dk/international) 9% / 91%
Available spots No

Programme structure

Cognition is about thoughts and knowledge. The programme will provide you with an overview of different cognitive science, communication and philosophical theories about sensory perception, thinking, emotions and actions of importance for the understanding of how communication works.

You will learn about the psychological and social processes of significance for the use of communication in audiovisual media, computer media and face-to-face communication. You will, for example, learn how to analyse and understand the processes involved in interpersonal interaction or the interaction between humans and machines.

The programme will also provide you with insight into theories of fiction, games and design and will teach you how to analyse specific media products and their use.

The teaching varies between lectures, class instruction with student presentations and discussions as well as more independent, often group-based, project work. The language of instruction is English.

A research-based programme

The Master's programme in Cognition and Communication is a research-based programme. The research behind the programme is broadly founded within the fields of media science, philosophy and psychology.

You will therefore be able to explore topics such as cognitive film theory, hands-on communication and subjectivity research. Being taught by active researchers, you will get a good impression of the current state of research in the academic field, while also having the opportunity to delve into the various fields of research associated with the field of study yourself.

Structure

The master's electives gives you room to choose to study other subjects than Cognition and Communication. You may take elective courses at another department or university – also abroad – or do an internship (Academic Internship – short electives for 15 ECTS credits or Academic Internship – Extended electives for 30 ECTS credits). 

You can do a total of 30 ECTS credits as electives master’s studies, i.e. you can replace two modules.

In the curriculum (see link below), you can read a detailed description of the academic content of the individual modules. Below you can see a table showing their order. 

Year 1

Semester 1Semester 2
Introduction to Cognitive Science (15 ECTS)Research Methods and Experimental Design (15 ECTS)
Introduction to Communication Theory (15 ECTS)Topics in Cognition and Communication (15 ECTS)

Year 2

Semester 3Semester 4
Master's elective (30 ECTS)Thesis (30 ECTS)

Career opportunities

Corporations are increasingly asking for candidates who can convert knowledge about cognition into products and services concerning interpersonal communication—both face-to-face and as mediated by technologies.

Upon completing the programme,  you will be equiped for a career within communication, both theoretical and practical communication.

You will be able to analyse and interpret communicative aspects of, e.g., actions, emotions and thoughts, for example, by using these competencies to plan communication surveys, provide advice and consultancy within media production and to design and evaluate computer-mediated communication as well as to plan and implement communication strategies.

Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of processes of consciousness in the broadest sense. In its classic incarnation, cognitive science has been dominated by neuroscience, psychology and computer science, but core disciplines of the humanities are increasingly taking part in the shaping and development of the field.

Examples of career opportunities

Graduates use their shills in various ways. Here is a list of some of the positions previous graduates hold:

  • Marketing Consultant
  • Multimedia and Communication specialist
  • Digital Acquisition & Automation Manager
  • Programme Director
  • Account Executive
  • XR Design & Researcher
  • Account manager, Digital publishing and distribution
  • Information Technology Project Manager

Student life

Libraries

The Department of Communication Library

The department library houses the collections for Film and Media Studies, Philosophy, ¸£Àû¼§ and Rhetoric. It is open 24 hours (access requires a valid student ID) and has free wireless internet access.

The Royal Library on South Campus 

The campus branch of the Royal Library houses an extensive collection on the humanities, has free wireless internet access, and contains 400 workspaces for students to study.

The Royal Library 

The main branch of the Royal library is a popular and centrally located harborfront place for students to study. It has free wireless internet and numerous workspaces for study, and also houses art and photo exhibitions. .

Student Life on Campus

South Campus at ¸£Àû¼§ offers several cosy meeting points for students.

Read more about South CampusStudents at the faculty use the cafés during their breaks to meet up with fellow students or even lecturers. In the evenings the Faculty is often used for cultural events and café nights.

Mødestedet ("The Meeting Point")

This café offers coffee, hot chocolate, cold beer, light lunches and a variety of confectionery. The café stocks various games and has its own pool table.

Departmental cafés

Each department at the Faculty of Humanities has a student café, run by student volunteers from the department. The cafés offer a cosy environment where you can meet fellow students, read newspapers, play board games and buy cheap coffee and snacks. Student groups arrange study circles with representations from authors, artists and intellectuals and mutual discussions of relevant academic subjects. Furthermore the student cafés arrange Friday café nights often with different themes. There are often international student cafés during the semester where you'll get the opportunity to meet other international students and their mentors. We definitely recommend you to experience the atmosphere of the student cafés as the social life of many Danish student revolves around these cafés.

Student parties

Most of the departments at the faculty have a party committee which arrange parties and other social events. Your student identity card gives you access to all student parties at the faculty - also at other departments than the one you are enrolled at. Usually it is possible to bring a guest under the condition that you have obtained a guest ticket from the organizers of the party. Faculty parties are announced through posters on campus.

Sports and student associations and clubs

There is a wide range of associations and clubs at ¸£Àû¼§. The associations and clubs can be found within all levels of ¸£Àû¼§. Please visit  of more than 100 different associations and
organisations. 

To find more local associations on department or programme level, please refer to your department, posters on campus, social media and your fellow students. 

The students' sports association is KSI (¸£Àû¼§ student sports association). Signing up normally takes place in August, although it is possible to join at later dates if slots are free on the teams. KSI offers a wide range of different disciplines both on the southern campus and on other locations around Copenhagen. To find information about programmes, prices and contact please visit .

Finding Housing

If you are looking for a place to live you can visit ¸£Àû¼§ .

Contact student guidance

Questions about study choice and admission

Our student guidance are ready to assist you with answers to your questions about:

  • application procedure and the digital application portal
  • admission- and language requirements
  • documentation
  • study life
  • career opportunities
  • study choice or doubts
Contact study guidance

Questions about the digital application-portal?

Do you have questions about digital application? Check our user guide to the application portal. 

In case of technical problems, please contact the IT-support by

Location

  • Faculty of Humanities, South Campus, Karen Blixens Plads 8, DK-2300 København S.

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