30 PhD programmes in Cognitive Science in Europe

The program in Cognitive Science at Central European University (CEU) is a research-oriented interdisciplinary program. It combines foundational courses in theory and practical applications of cognitive science with supervised training in experimental methods.   

The PhD Ageing and Dementia Studies programme at Bangor University  is embedded in the ‘Ageing & Dementia@Bangor’/DSDC which has a particular focus on resilience and the importance of evaluating and developing health and social care in ageing as well as dementia. 

Our Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience researchers at Brunel University of London create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. 

The Cognitive, Computational and Social Neurosciences (CCSN) Program at IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca is organized into a single training curriculum but is characterized by the significant interdisciplinary nature of its approach.

The University School for Advanced Studies Pavia (IUSS) offers a cutting-edge doctoral degree in Cognitive Brain Sciences.

Cognitive robotics is about developing intelligence in robots. The Cognitive Robotics research group at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) focuses primarily on how robots can best plan and carry out their subsequent actions, so three cognitive aspects come into play: perception, thinking and acting.

What neural and computational substrates underlie cognition and behaviour? The teaching staff of the doctoral programme in Brain, Cognition and Behaviour at University of Barcelona use a variety of theoretical, experimental and methodological approaches to address this fundamental question in psychology.  

The Volition and Cognitive Control research group at TU Dresden combines expertise from experimental psychology, cognitive-affective neuroscience and neuroimaging, clinical psychology, psychiatry and neurology to investigate mechanisms, modulators, and dysfunctions of volitional control on psychological and neural levels of analysis.

The Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology (Integrated) program from University of Essex provides a route into research study if you do not have a Masters degree, or have very little research training.

This PhD Brain, Mind and Computer Science program at University of Padua, developing for 3 years, offers ad hoc courses taught by the Faculty Board and by Italian or foreign experts. 

The Research School of Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences (BCN) is a multi-disciplinary research school within the University of Groningen. 

The Cognition and Communication programme offered by University of Gothenburg develops advanced research expertise in human thinking, interaction, and information exchange in digital environments.

Become a member of the ever-growing neuroscientific community in Leipzig with this Brain Dynamics research programme at Leipzig University.

University College Dublin offers a Thematic PhD programme in Cognitive Science. This is a structured PhD programme, incorporating taught modules in the first year, followed by production of a standard PhD thesis.

The Neurosciences and Cognition doctoral program at Ecole Centrale de Lyon provides the opportunity to pursue advanced studies in the field of neurosciences and cognition within a highly regarded academic environment.

The aim of doctoral studies in Cognitive Science at Linköping University is that the student should acquire deeper knowledge in the field, and to thoroughly prepare the student for independent work in research and development.

The Cognitive and Brain Sciences programme offered by University of Trento develops advanced expertise in mind and brain research through interdisciplinary investigation of neural systems, cognition, and behaviour using cutting-edge scientific methodologies.

Are you interested in the nature of cognition, be it natural or artificial? This Cognitive Science research programme is offered at the University of Sussex.

Abertay’s Division of Psychology and Forensic Sciences has a strong and active role in delivering research degrees, including those in partnership with the NHS, local education authorities, Police Scotland, and the business and digital technology communities. This PhD in Developmental Psychology and Language Learning is offered at Abertay University.

Cognitive Science of Language from University of Nova Gorica provides high quality training of young researchers in Linguistics in the context of contemporary Cognitive Science.