Highlights
Tuition fee
15000 EUR / year
15000 EUR / year
Unknown
Tuition fee
15000 EUR / year
15000 EUR / year
Unknown
Duration
48 months
Duration
48 months
Apply date
Unknown
Apply date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Campus location
Vienna, Austria
Campus location
Vienna, Austria
Taught in
English
Taught in
English

About

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.   

Visit programme website for more information

Overview

You will be engaged in research studies in one of the specialized cognitive research labs at CEU, receiving practical training in methods, experimental design, and empirical data analysis during this  Cognitive Science at Central European University (CEU) .

Careers

The Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science program is a research- and practice-oriented training designed for students who want to contribute to research in 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 thinking processes, knowledge and language acquisition, social cognition, cognitive development, and topics of human perception through academic research, you will benefit from this PhD program.   

Programme Structure

As a doctoral researcher, you will be invited to join one of the labs of the department. These are:

  • Cognitive Development Center
  • Social Mind Center
  • Social Mind and Body Lab
  • Adaptive Cognition and Economics in Society
  • Language Comprehension Lab
  • Center for Cognitive Computation
  • Vision Lab

Key information

Duration

  • Full-time
    • 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

English
Duolingo English Test
130
TOEFL® IBT
OR
100
OR
5
PTE Academic
76
IELTS
7

IELTS & PTE Test Preparation

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  • Live classes with current and ex-examiners
  • Accurate score assesment, always
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Credits

240 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

  • Vienna, Austria

What students do after studying

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GRE admission requirements GRE®
Required
GMAT admission requirements GMAT
Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test
130
TOEFL® IBT
OR
100
OR
5
PTE Academic
76
IELTS
7

IELTS & PTE Test Preparation

E2 Language Test Prep
Trusted by 7M+ Students
Start Studying Today

Admission to your dream university starts with a high IELTS or PTE score. Earn your target score with E2's guided test preparation.

  • Study on your own schedule
  • Live classes with current and ex-examiners
  • Accurate score assesment, always
  • E2 Score Guarantee - Get your score or your money back!

Other requirements

General requirements

  • 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. 
  • Two letters of recommendation from people who are familiar with their academic or professional work 
  • 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.  

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Central European University (CEU) and/or in Austria, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
  • International

    Non-residents
    15000 EUR / year
    ≈ 15000 EUR / year
  • EU/EEA

    EU/EEA Nationals
    15000 EUR / year
    ≈ 15000 EUR / year

Additional Details

Doctoral programs (year 1): 15,000 EUR Doctoral programs after comprehensive examination (years 2,3, and 4): 5,000 EUR

Living costs

Vienna

Austria
861 - 1331 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Cognitive Science.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Provided by university
Grant
1500 EUR
Deadline
02 Apr 2027
Summer School Grant
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Central European University (CEU)
Vienna, Austria
Provided by university
Grant
800 EUR
Deadline
15 Jan 2027
Award for Advanced Doctoral Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Central European University (CEU)
Vienna, Austria
Provided by university
Grant
500 EUR
Deadline
15 Jan 2027
Academic Achievement Award for First-Year Doctoral Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Central European University (CEU)
Vienna, Austria
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Summer courses of Lectures for Institutes of Languages from the University
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

ServiceScape
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships

Read more about eligibility

ACES Education Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1300 EUR
Deadline
01 Feb 2027
Ernst Mach Grant for studying at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility in Austria

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2027
Voice Talent Online Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

Voice Talent Online
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Jun 2027
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Admit Lab
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jan 2027
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Salvado Law
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1300 EUR
Deadline
01 Mar 2027
Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Anonymous Hope Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Leopold Figl Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1300 EUR
Deadline
01 Feb 2027
Ernst Mach Grant - Worldwide

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
715 EUR
Deadline
31 Mar 2027
Ernst Mach Follow-Up Grant

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

IELTS from 6 to 9
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme

Read more about eligibility

The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Location not available

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