Cognitive ScienceCentral European University

The Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science program at CEU is a research-oriented interdisciplinary program that combines foundational courses in theory and practical applications of cognitive science with supervised training in experimental methods. You will explore various subfields of the broad discipline of cognitive science, focusing on human cognition with social cognition, learning and perception as core themes. Students may take elective courses in cognitive psychology, philosophy of mind, cognitive anthropology, visual perception and computational modeling to gain advanced knowledge in their chosen subject. You will be encouraged to apply conceptual studies through practical research training in methods, experimental design and empirical data analysis in one of the specialized cognitive research labs at CEU.

During the first year of the Cognitive Science doctoral program, you will focus on exploring the basic concepts of cognitive science and practice, actively participating in departmental colloquia and journal and research clubs, and preparing for the comprehensive exam. Students in the first year who gradually fulfill the program requirements and who have not yet taken the comprehensive exam are considered probationary PhD candidates. During the winter term of the first year, you will be required to write a literature review paper on your selected topic as part of the Individual Study Course. You will also develop a research proposal (6,000 words without references), forming the basis of your doctoral research. Acceptance of the dissertation proposal, regular attendance to all doctoral activities and a GPA of at least 3.33 are required to take the comprehensive exam. Completing all requirements in the first year will formally admit the student to PhD candidacy in Cognitive Science at CEU.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science is a residence-based program where physical presence in Vienna is required, except for research periods abroad. In the second year, you will focus on research, choosing from several options for carrying out data collection depending on the subject of your study. Starting from the second year, students are required to submit a chapter of their forthcoming dissertation and a progress report about their research by May 31 each year, until their dissertation is completed. Students spend their fourth year finalizing the remaining chapters of their dissertation.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science is a doctoral program with full tuition coverage and stipend support, lasting a standard duration of four years (48 months), and awards both a US and an Austrian PhD.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science program is a research and practice-oriented training designed for students who want to contribute research to the area of human cognition. You will master the fundamentals of cognitive science and engage in practical research at one of the established university labs, analyzing the complexities of social interactions alongside renowned cognitive science scholars and practitioners. If you are interested in the thinking processes, knowledge and language acquisition, and pressing topics of human perception through academic research, you will benefit from this PhD program.

Applicants should have a master’s degree or equivalent in the disciplines that constitute cognitive science, such as linguistics, learning and development and artificial intelligence. A comparable degree in social sciences, humanities or other disciplines will also be considered in case of an excellent academic record. In exceptional cases, students who only hold a bachelor’s level degree could also be admitted to the program. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and a research proposal (between 1,000 to 2,000 words, without references and any potential appendices) that addresses the main research questions, aims and objectives of a research project that is related to the ongoing work in the department.

In addition to completing coursework on specialized topics within the discipline of cognitive science, you are expected to actively participate in internal and external events related to your main field of study. This includes attending the departmental colloquia, research clubs and journal clubs, presenting your work at the yearly research progress workshops and participating in international conferences. Attendance is added to the required credits for the program and counts towards your degree.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science at CEU is registered with the New York State Education Department in the United States and accredited by AQ Austria in Austria. CEU is accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

5 Reasons to Choose the Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science Program at CEU:

• Gain practical experience in academic research.
• Be part of a thriving cognitive science community in Vienna.
• Fully funded PhD program in Europe.
• Research-oriented program.
• Interdisciplinary approach to cognitive science.