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About the Cognitive Computing Master's Program
Cognitive Computing refers to computational models of cognitive abilities. Through training in this program graduates are enabled to apply their acquired skills for the development of innovative intelligent systems and services.
The in-service Master's program in Cognitive Computing is designed for professionals who study Cognitive Computing in parallel to their job. Besides cutting-edge research in AI and digitalization, students are trained in close connection to real-world applications. Students can earn a substantial part of the required credits in a collaboration with the company that employs them. Advanced e-learning tools are used to familiarize students with state-of-the-art technologies. Special block courses allow students to block a module to a few days. Specific study plans are developed individually for each student.
The Master Program consists of 120 ECTS credits, 30 of which refer to the Master thesis. Students also participate in a study project either at the institute or in collaboration with the company that employs them. The Master Program is completed with a Master thesis in the fourth semester, which can also be done in collaboration with the company, and leads to a "Master of Science (M.Sc.)" degree in Cognitive Computing.
Students of Cognitive Computing select an individual set of courses on selected Topics from the areas of
- Artificial Intelligence
- Neuroinformatics
- Computational Linguistics
- Computer Vision
- NeuroAI
- (Computational) Neuroscience
The 90 ECTS of coursework required for the Master's program in Cognitive Computing comprise of:
- 24 ECTS credits from a one-year study project
- 44 ECTS from selected courses from the areas listed above
- 22 ECTS of free electives
Study Projects
The study project is designed for and with every Cognitive Computing student individually. For the study project, one of our professors closely collaborates with the student and the company which employs the student.
Alternatively, we offer interdisciplinary study projects jointly with Cognitive Science Master's students, where students come together in groups of 5-15 (mixed with the Cognitive Science master) to work on a currently relevant research topic.
Tuition Fees
There is a semester fee of 5000€ which is expected to be covered by the employing corporation. This fee allows the University of Osnabrueck to offer the part-time study program and the institute to recruit external lecturers with specific relevance to Cognitive Computing. Students must provide proof of health insurance upon registration.
Application and Admission
Prerequisite for admission to the part-time master's program "Cognitive Computing" is that the applicant has successfully completed a suitable Bachelor's degree at a university. Applicants who have obtained a degree in a subject-related course on cognitive computing can be admitted, such as in
• Business Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cognitive Science
• (Computer-)Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences
• Engineering
• a Bachelor's program with a high proportion of computer science
The Bachelor's program satisfies the basic requirements if the following examinations have been successfully completed:
a) at least 15 ECTS credit points from the area of formal methods, such as Quantitative methods, mathematics, statistics or logic
b) at least 25 ECTS credit points from the areas of (business) computer science, artificial intelligence, neuroinformatics or computational linguistics
The admission board decides whether the requirements for admittance of an applicant are satisfied. Note that this program is specifically tailored for students who are employed by a company in the area of Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning.
Applicants are required to have a good command of English in order to understand lectures, participate in discussions, and take examinations. Applicants can demonstrate that they have attained level B2 in the English language according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) in the following ways:
- the relevant level of English proficiency was already an admission requirement for the earlier Bachelor’s degree, or
- the applicant has already successfully completed an English-language undergraduate or graduate degree program, or
- English was the language of the education system of the applicant at the time they earned their higher education entrance qualification, or
- the applicant has passed a language test at level B2 (CEFR) (for possible language tests and the corresponding points required, see: www.uni-osnabrueck.de/sprachnachweise).
Note: Usually, applicants who have taken the German "Abitur" satisfy the requirement B2.
For details see Regulations.
How to apply
Did you receive your Bachelor degree (or equivalent) from a German university or are you a German national?
| YES | Apply at the Admissions Office ("Studierendensekretariat") of the University of Osnabrück. Please fill in the online application. Applications must be sent in by July 15th (winter semester) |
| NO, neither of the above | Please contact the Admissions Office for further information. |
Get in touch
If you have any questions regarding the program and are interested in applying, please reach out to the coordinator of the Cognitive Science programs, Dr. Dr. Gregor Hörzer.
Dr. techn. Dr. phil. Gregor Michael Hörzer
Philosophie der Kognition
Tel.: +49 541 969-3361
Fax: +49 541 969-2415
ghoerzer@uni-osnabrueck.de
Raum: 50/306
Fachbereich 8: Humanwissenschaften
Wachsbleiche 27
49090 Osnabrück
Sprechzeiten: n.V.
