Master of Arts (MA) in Cognition and Communication

How can we understand cognitive processes associated with the widespread media consumption in modern society? The Master’s programme in Cognition and Communication attempts to answer this question.

Are you interested in the psychological and social processes that influence communication in audiovisual media and face-to-face, and would you like to study the processes that go on in the interaction between people or between people and technology, this MA will be the right choice for you.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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 the attachment to the right at the website), you can read a detailed description of the academic content of the individual modules. Below you can see a table showing their order. 

 Read more about the programme in the curriculum

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.

The programme attempts to answer the question: How can we understand cognitive processes associated with the widespread media consumption of individuals in modern society?

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.

Simultaneously, 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.

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.

The programme attempts to answer the question: How can we understand cognitive processes associated with the widespread media consumption of individuals in modern society?

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.

Simultaneously, 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.

The programme is intended to equip students for a career within communication, both theoretical and practical communication.

Companies are increasingly looking for candidates who can apply their knowledge about cognitive processes, both in connection with the sale of products and services, in interpersonal communication among employees and external communication—and both face-to-face and as mediated by technologies.

Graduates from the programme are able to analyse and interpret communicative aspects of, e.g., actions, emotions and thoughts. You can, for example, use 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.

The Department of Communication Library

The department library houses the collections for Film and Media Studies, Philosophy, Education 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. Visit the Royal Library website.

South Campus at University of Copenhagen offers several cosy meeting points for students. Students 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.

There is a wide range of associations and clubs at University of Copenhagen. The associations and clubs can be found within all levels of University of Copenhagen. Please visit Studenterhuset's list 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 (University of Copenhagen 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 the KSI website.

If you are looking for a place to live you can visit University of Copenhagen general information about finding housing.