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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Computational Cognitive Science
Header image Computational Cognitive Science
Master - full-time

Computational Cognitive Science

How do humans process language, and how does this compare to Large Language Models like ChatGPT? How can AI become safer, more user-friendly, and aligned with human cognition? How can we use AI to better understand memory, perception, and brain activity?

If you're eager to combine technical skills with deep questions about the mind and machine, then the Master's degree in Computational Cognitive Science (CCS) is for you.


What you'll learn

Gain expertise in AI, cognitive modelling, neuroscience, and data science:
  • Study and simulate human cognition and analyse neuroimaging data
  • ️ Use artificial intelligence to study language, memory, and brain activity
  • ️ Apply cognitive models to improve technology, education, and user experience
  • ️ Master advanced techniques in data science, machine learning, and computational modelling

Specialisations

Human-Centred AI
Design AI tools and applications that align with human thinking, behaviour, and societal needs.

Human Language Modelling
Use AI to study how humans process language and build systems that understand or generate language naturally.

Cognitive Modelling & Brain
Explore the brain through computational models and neuroimaging data, and develop Brain-Computer Interfaces.

Want to learn more?



Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Computational Cognitive Science
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 EC)
Croho code
60653
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Science and Engineering
Apply now

Why study this programme in Groningen?

This two-year international Master's programme allows you to explore the frontiers of human cognition and brain science. You'll be trained in theory, experimentation, and real-world application—preparing you for a career in tech, research, cognitive science, or AI development.

Programme

Curriculum

2-year programme; credits per year: 60 ECTS; most courses are 5 ECTS.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60653

Extracurricular activities

In addition to this master's programme, you can apply for the extracurricular FSE High Tech Systems and Materials Honours Master (1.5 years, 20 ECTS), developed in close collaboration with industry. This programme offers multidisciplinary collaboration, hands-on product development for a company, masterclasses and workshops from experts. Upon completion, you will receive a mention on your diploma supplement.

BYOD Policy
Please be advised that students of the Faculty of Science and Engineering are expected to adhere to our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, ensuring seamless integration of personal electronic devices for academic purposes. For more detailed information on our BYOD policy, please visit our webpage .
Programme options
Cognitive Modeling and the Brain (specialization)
Human Language Modeling (specialization)
Human-Centred AI (specialization)

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional

Exchange is possible, for example as part of your Master thesis. All our science and engineering programmes offer study abroad possibilities at a number of partner institutions. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America. Our exchange programmes have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

A Bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence, Psychology or a relevant degree including the following subjects: Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Psychology or Cognitive Science, Statistics and Research methods, practical skills in Programming.

Information about admission possibilities and requirements for students with a Dutch degree is published on: https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
PsychobiologyUniversity of AmsterdamVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Natural and Social SciencesUniversity of AmsterdamVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Information ScienceUniversity of AmsterdamVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Cognition, Language and CommunicationUniversity of AmsterdamVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
LinguisticsRadboud University NijmegenVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Communication and Information StudiesUtrecht UniversityVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Information ScienceUtrecht UniversityVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Communication and Information StudiesTilburg UniversityVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Cognitive Science and Artificial IntelligenceTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Data Science and Artificial IntelligenceLeiden UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Data Science and Artificial IntelligenceMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Information ScienceUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Psychology (NL)University of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Students with a BSc in psychology who have sufficient programming experience and have passed the course Architectures of Intelligence can be admitted.
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Artificial IntelligenceAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Artificial IntelligenceAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme.

Please fill out this checklist to describe why you are applying for this Master's degree programme (questions to be addressed are outlined in the form).

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202601 September 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202601 September 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202601 September 2026
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

A Bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence, Psychology or a relevant degree including the following subjects: Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Psychology or Cognitive Science, Statistics and Research methods, practical skills in Programming.

This is merely an indication of required background knowledge. The Board of Admissions determines whether the specific contents of this/these course(s) meet the admission requirements of the master programme for which you applied.
knowledge minimum

BEFORE YOU APPLY! Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/admission-application/apply-msc/intl-diploma/ for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.
language test

MAKE SURE TO VISIT https://www.rug.nl/fse/programme/admissions/msc/language-requirements for all the necessary information about required language tests and minimum scores.
other admission requirements

SCHOLARSHIPS

In cooperation with major national and international companies we welcome students with several scholarships

ASML Scholarship: ASML is one of the world's leading manufacturers of chip-making equipment. The €5000 p/y scholarship is awarded every year to 25 exceptional students, who get the chance to become a Technology Ambassador within their scholarship period. More information can be found here: https://www.asml.com/en/careers/students-graduates/asml-scholarship

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme. Applications are evaluated on a continuous basis. You do not have to wait until the application deadline to apply.

Please fill out this checklist to describe why you are applying for this Master's degree programme (questions to be addressed are outlined in the form).

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202601 September 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202601 September 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202601 September 2026
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

Tuition fees

NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2025-2026€ 2601full-time
non-EU/EEA2025-2026€ 24900full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch studentsInternational students

After your studies

Job prospects

The demand for experts who understand both human cognition and artificial intelligence is growing across sectors. With a Master's degree in Computational Cognitive Science, you'll be equipped to work in research, technology, or applied AI. Many graduates pursue PhDs, while others enter roles in industry or government where cognitive modelling and data analysis are key. This programme offers excellent preparation for careers in human-centred AI, software development, and brain-computer interface

Graduates of this programme are highly employable thanks to their interdisciplinary training in AI, cognitive science, and data-driven research. You'll be well prepared to shape the future of intelligent systems and their connection to human behaviour.

Job examples

  • PhD researcher in AI, neuroscience, or cognitive science
  • Human-computer interaction specialist
  • Interaction designer or usability expert
  • Software developer in cognitive technology
  • Cognitive modelling consultant
  • Research scientist at institutions such as TNO
  • AI developer in start-ups or innovation labs
  • Data scientist focusing on behavioural or neural data

Research

Interdisciplinary in nature

Within the Master's degree programme Computational Cognitive Science, much of the research is connected to the department of Artificial Intelligence and the research institute Bernoulli. Most of the teachers in the Master's programme are affiliated with the Bernoulli Institute and the content of the courses is closely linked to their research themes.

The mission of the Bernoulli Institute is to perform outstanding academic research and teaching in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence, and to maintain international leadership herein; to foster these disciplines as a living body of knowledge, and to make it relevant to society in its broadest sense. The symbiosis between pure and applied science, and between mono- and multidisciplinary research and teaching, is a distinguishing characteristic of our institute. As an important part of this mission we aim to transfer our results to other areas of science and technology, and initiate and expand inter- and multi-disciplinary research collaborations.

The following research groups within the institute focus on Artificial Intelligence:

The research in Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Engineering is inherently interdisciplinary in nature. With Computing Science, an interest in formal modeling is shared, where these models may be symbolic, statistical or hybrid in nature. With Psychology and Biology an interest in natural cognition is shared, where the goal is to describe fundamental qualities of cognition in such an explicit way that computational models of perceptual, cognitive, and behavioural control functions can be constructed.

Good ties with the research of other institutes at the University of Groningen

The master Computational Cognitive Science has strong ties with other institutes of the University of Groningen, such as the research institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, the Heymans Institute for Experimental Psychology and the University Hospital.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Dutch diplomaInternational diploma
Dutch brochureEnglish brochure

Contact

  • Academic Advisors FSE (For questions regarding the programme)
  • studyscience@rug.nl Study Science (For students who are interested in a Campus Tour or who have other general questions)
    Email: studyscience rug.nl
Testimonial of Gilles Lijnzaad
For students interested in this field, I'd advise leveraging your multidisciplinary background to stand out. Often, you can be the “missing link” between the end user and the development team.
– Gilles Lijnzaad
My name is Gilles Lijnzaad, I’m 25 years old, and I live in Groningen. Originally from the center of the Netherlands, I moved to Groningen to study the Bachelor’s programme in Artificial Intelligence, followed by the Master’s programme in Computational Cognitive Science (CCS). In my free time, I enjoy playing and listening to music and exploring creative outlets.

I chose the Master’s in CCS because of my interest in human-computer interaction and cognitive engineering, which I developed during my Bachelor’s. The Cognitive Engineering track was a natural fit, and since it’s part of the same department at RUG, I could easily continue my studies without additional requirements.

The programme met my expectations, though I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect at first. I particularly enjoyed my Master’s thesis, which involved cognitive modeling in social cognition. It was the most “cognitive science” research I’ve done, and I may revisit this area if I pursue a PhD. I also loved courses on auditory and visual perception (neuropsychology-based) and applied cognitive engineering, which ties directly to my current work.

The Master’s helped me focus on the cognitive and human aspects of technology, which is central to my role today. I learned to always question assumptions, explore solutions, and keep an open mind. Skills I apply daily in my career.

I’m currently a UX Designer at Valtes, a startup focused on using smart technology to assist informal caregivers in the Netherlands. My role involves designing user-friendly interfaces, ensuring technology meets user needs, and evaluating the emotional response of users. I started at Valtes as an intern, and after my internship, I was hired as a UX Designer. One of my proudest accomplishments is designing the look and feel of the Valtes app, which I started during my internship and continue to develop today.

In the long term, I want to help improve people’s lives in healthcare through innovative technology. Right now, I’m focused on UX and visual design, but this may evolve over time. My ultimate goal is to use my knowledge of human cognition to create technology that genuinely helps people.

For students interested in this field, I’d advise leveraging your multidisciplinary background to stand out. Often, you can be the “missing link” between the end user and the development team. This skill is highly valued. Success in this field requires an understanding of human cognition, and throughout my studies and career, I’ve developed this perspective through research in cognitive modeling, experimental psychology, and more.
The lecturers and professors are all very welcoming and make you feel like you shouldn't be afraid to ask questions.
Testimonial of Pauline Schomaker
The cognitive aspect of the programme particularly interested me as I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the brain and the applications of AI in various fields.
– Pauline Schomaker

Pauline Schomaker- Student of the MSc Computational Cognitive Science

I chose to pursue a Master’s in Computational Cognitive Science after completing my Bachelor’s in Information Science, with a minor in Artificial Intelligence, at the Faculty of Arts. The cognitive aspect of the programme particularly interested me as I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the brain and the applications of AI in various fields.

The research-oriented aspect of the programme was something I hadn’t expected, but I found it extremely valuable. I was able to work on a research project of my own choosing, using real data and EEGs. The guidance from my supervisor and the weekly meetings were extremely helpful. Also, the small class size allowed me to form close relationships with my peers and engage in meaningful discussions outside class.

The programme has provided a strong foundation for my upcoming Master’s thesis. I have already worked on small projects, such as creating a cognitive model for an opponent in a game and analysing the usability of different apps for elderly people. I am interested in combining my thesis with an internship at a company, where I can apply what I have learned and gain hands-on experience. Overall, I believe that this programme has equipped me with the tools and knowledge for a successful career in cognitive science and AI.

Testimonial of Kai van Amsterdam
My job is as multifaceted as the programme is
– Kai van Amsterdam

'I got a job at the UMCG after writing a thesis on anaesthesia monitors. Anaesthesiologists view graphs on monitors during surgery. We wanted to develop a monitor that translates graphs into statistical patterns. It proved that anaesthesiologists cannot recognize these patterns. Maybe a computer can? Could a model predict what's going to happen next? This is the focus of my research.

I also analyse data for the anaesthesia department. There is too much data for the physicians to process. You need to find the right balance of drugs for each patient, which is why it is important that physicians can make good use of the available data. My job is as multifaceted and practical as the programme was. I get to do research and I’m also involved in various projects!’

Study associations

Cover

Cover is the study association for all students of AI, CS, and CCS here at the UG. We offer fun activities, a room to hang out, and support for you to pass all your upcoming courses.
A study association is an organisation run by a team of students from the respective bachelor’s and master’s degree programme(s). We organise many activities for students, including introductory camps and monthly “borrels” (informal social gatherings with drinks). Our activities follow our 3 main pillars: education, social, and career. Hence, we organise course support lectures, symposia, educational talks, parties, informal gatherings, career day, company visits, company talks, and many more.If you decide to study AI, CS, or CCS, be sure to sign up for Cover at www.svcover.nl/join, so you can attend all our awesome activities even after the Kick-off Week! And, about the Kick-Off Week, we always organise a treasure hunt, a barbecue, a borrel, and an introduction camp that spans an entire weekend for the first years.
https://www.svcover.nl/

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