Bachelor’s degree programme in Cognitive Science

About the course

Cognitive science studies the human mind, brain and behaviour, and students learn to design and run their own investigations. Teaching combines lectures, study groups and lab exercises using brain scans, behavioural experiments and text data, with programming (for example Python) and statistical analysis (for example R and MatLab).

Entry requirements for Irish students

• Denmark accepts the Leaving Certificate as an EU school-leaving qualification, and your grades are converted to the Danish scale under national rules. You must also meet the programme’s Danish subject levels. Aarhus does not publish a Leaving Cert conversion on the programme page, and Higher Level is usually needed to count as Danish A or B level, so confirm with Aarhus admissions before applying.
• Required subjects at Danish level: English B, Mathematics B, and one of History B, History of Ideas B, Social Studies B or Contemporary History B. Quota 1 has a minimum GPA of 6.0 (Danish scale) and in 2026 the Quota 1 cut-off was 10.7 (10.5 on standby). Quota 2 ranks applicants on their average in the required subjects plus documented relevant qualifications. No entrance test or interview.
• English: Aarhus accepts a completed school-leaving exam from Ireland with a passed English subject as meeting the English B requirement, so IELTS or TOEFL is not needed.

How to apply

1. Check subject levels (autumn 2026)Ask Aarhus University admissions how your Leaving Cert maths, English and a history or social studies-type subject will be assessed against the Danish B-level requirements.
2. Apply on optagelse.dk (by 15 Mar 2027, 12:00 noon)List Cognitive Science (admission area 22419) among your up to 8 priorities. For Quota 2, upload evidence of relevant qualifications such as a CV.
3. Sort out the results deadline (spring 2027)Documentation is normally due by 5 July, but Leaving Cert results come out in late August. Ask Aarhus what to submit and when, and upload your results as soon as they are released.
4. Accept and arrange housing (summer 2027)Respond to your offer and start looking for accommodation early, as housing in Aarhus is hard to find. Teaching starts in week 35 (late August).

Costs

• No tuition fees for EU/EEA citizens, including Irish citizens, at Danish public universities. You pay your own living and housing costs. Confirm on Aarhus University’s tuition fee page.

At a glance