Cognitive science

Programme information

The MEi:CogSci programme is organized as a two-year 120 ECTS study programme. At the University of Ljubljana, the first year of the programme is carried out in Slovene language.

Specific information about the programme at partner universities:

• University of Vienna
• Comenius University in Bratislava
• Eötvös Loránd University
• University of Ljubljana

Contacts

• Contact for formal matters: referat@pef.uni-lj.si
• Contact for other matters: kognitivna@pef.uni-lj.si

Admissions

Admitted are students holding a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS. The number of places is 25; in case of too many applicants, the entrance exam takes place. After the application procedures, a meeting with applicants is organised in order to gain insight into the structure of students’ background education and interests, as well as to help students design their curriculum.

Mentors/Supervisors

A mentoring programme supports students in their individual reflections and choices, helping them focus and find their way through the curriculum towards their specialisation. Students also have the option of having a master’s thesis supervisor from the joint degree network.

Tutoring

All modules of the integrative kernel dedicate ECTS-credits to teamwork, where students discuss important concepts of cognitive science, ethical questions, social implications, as well as their problems, interests, research projects and future possibilities under tutorial supervision. In addition, tutors are available to students at all other times via email or special appointments when necessary.

Project-orientation and Teamwork

At different stages of the programme students engage in projects and teamwork, working in interdisciplinary and international environments (in the exchange semester). At the beginning of the first semester students form teams to cooperate on homework assignments, seminar work, paper writing, presentations and projects throughout the first year of the study programme.

Interdisciplinarity

The integrative kernel serves as a locus of integration, discussion and reflection, providing an epistemological and conceptual framework. The MEi:CogSci curriculum is interdisciplinary and intercultural, therefore special care is given to the creation of an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect, hopefully contributing to the personal development of students and teachers involved.

Introductory Phase

This phase enables students to orient themselves in the field of cognitive science and provides a foundation for interdisciplinary research. Students entering the programme differ greatly in terms of their disciplinary backgrounds and research interests. A central challenge of the programme is not only to bridge the different disciplinary approaches thus enabling communication and cooperation among the students but also to turn these differences into a potential for interdisciplinary cooperation. In the first year, students become familiar with theoretical concepts as well as research methods from the core disciplines of cognitive science and get accustomed to different scientific cultures. Moreover, students are introduced to current work of research groups and institutions in Ljubljana as well as the MEi:CogSci network. The introductory phase mainly takes place at the students’ home institutions.

Phenomenon-oriented Phase

This phase builds on the interdisciplinary foundations laid in the first year. Students gain specialised knowledge of a chosen topic focusing on a cognitive phenomenon through the integration of research methods and perspectives from multiple disciplines.

Student Mobility

Based on their research topic chosen individually, students select one of the universities participating in the network in line with the areas of expertise of the respective partner universities. Mobility is planned for the third semester with the possibility of extending it to the fourth semester – if the student has a (co)supervisor of his/her master’s thesis from a partner university.

Here you can find further information for incoming mei:cogsci mobility students.

Master’s Thesis

The fourth semester of the study programme is dedicated to students’ master’s theses with the support of Master’s thesis seminar. Students have to present their master’s thesis (or a draft thereof) at the MEi:CogSci student conference.