Marie Louise Holm Møller had no doubts when she applied in 2015 to a brand-new degree that no Danish student had taken before. In fact, she stumbled upon it by chance. 

“I was reading about another degree on Aarhus University’s website when I noticed a small link on the right-hand side that said ‘Cognitive Science’. I’ve always been fascinated by neuroscience and cognitive psychology, so it was perfect timing that AU had just launched a degree in cognitive science,” she recalls.

She was far from the only one intrigued. All 60 study places were filled that first year, and the entry grade point average was already 9.9. Today, the programme celebrates its tenth anniversary with continued momentum — and an entry requirement of 10.5.

Building the programme they had longed for

In the years leading up to 2015, a small group of young researchers worked behind the scenes to build the academic environment they themselves had missed.

“A few of us were interested in cognition and neuroscience, but we had all taken quite winding routes through AU’s study programmes and felt a bit academically homeless,” says Mikkel Wallentin, now a professor of cognitive science.

Outside Denmark, cognitive science was already an established field. The group saw an opportunity to bring the idea into a Danish context — combining insights from neuroscience, psychology, computer science and linguistics.

Among the four founding members behind the application were also Joshua Skewes, who had studied psychology in Australia and philosophy at Aarhus University. Today, he is head of the Department of Linguistics, Cognitive Science and Semiotics.

“We were in a situation a bit like the one that led to the creation of political science in the late 1960s. Back then, economics, sociology and law were combined to meet a societal need — and now no one questions whether political science is relevant,” Skewes explains.

Understanding human thinking

Cognitive Science seeks to understand how processes in the brain generate human behaviour. The programme is based on empirical methods, with experiments and statistical analysis as core tools.

“One thing that’s quite special about our programme is that students have the opportunity to conduct their own brain-scanning experiments. That’s pretty unique, and it’s possible thanks to our strong collaboration with Health,” says Skewes.

Graduates bring valuable insights into how people think, communicate and make decisions.

“When a company introduces a new strategy, a graduate in cognitive science can help predict how people will respond to it,” Skewes notes.

Strategically, the department aims to train graduates for three main career paths: data analysis, human factors, and customer behaviour.

Taking on every task

The first years were intense. The four founders — Mikkel Wallentin, Joshua Skewes, Kristian Tylén and Riccardo Fusaroli — did everything themselves.

“We were teachers, supervisors, tutors — and in a way also friends with the students in the beginning, because it was so important to us to create a community people wanted to be part of,” says Wallentin.

Marie Louise Holm Møller remembers those years fondly:
“It was a fantastic time. As the very first cohort, we had to build many things from scratch — our own cabin trip, our own Friday bar, even the tutor group for the next year,” she says.

She also recalls how dedicated the teachers were:
“They were deeply engaged — not only in our academic progress, but also in making sure we had a great environment outside class, even joining in for performances at the Friday bar.”

A viral song that made a difference

The early years were marked by pioneering spirit and creativity — much of it driven by Kristian Tylén, whose passing in 2024 was a great loss.

“Kristian was one of our brightest stars. He could make things happen. Losing him meant losing part of our heart,” says Skewes.

Tylén was also a talented musician. His Cognitive Science Song — complete with a music video featuring his colleagues as bandmates — went viral soon after its release. When asked about the surge of applicants in those early years, the video still comes up.

“I’m convinced it had an impact. Many of the first students told us they had seen it,” says Wallentin.

Even so, the high demand exceeded expectations.

“Kristian and I went to local high schools to give talks about this exciting new degree, but we never imagined the response would be so strong. It was amazing,” Wallentin adds.

The students demanded more

Originally, cognitive science was only intended as a bachelor’s degree. But the students wanted to continue.

“They asked for a master’s programme. We began planning around 2017, and the first students started in 2019,” says Skewes.

With two degrees to cover, the original four could no longer do it alone. The team expanded, and cognitive science grew steadily to today’s 80 bachelor’s and 40 master’s students.

“Over the years, the organisation has become more professional and sustainable. We now have a well-established programme,” says Skewes.

A smooth transition to working life

Today, more than 90 percent of graduates find employment within a year. Even as part of the very first graduating class, Marie Louise Holm Møller felt her degree opened doors.

“Either people had already heard good things about the programme, or they found it exciting and relevant when I explained what it was about,” she says.

She accepted a position as a consultant in human factors at DesignPsykologi.

“I use my knowledge of human perception and cognition to design physical products, apps or websites that ensure a good human–technology fit,” she explains.

The transition from university to professional life was seamless:

“I use what I learned every day — whether I’m teaching courses on applying cognitive insights to design, or consulting for companies to ensure usability in products like medical devices.”

Facts about Cognitive Science

• Cognitive science explores thinking and the processes that underlie it. The focus is on understanding the human ability to perceive, process, store, and communicate information.

• The degree programme is relatively new in Denmark and was first offered at Aarhus University in 2015.

• Both the bachelor’s and master’s programmes are taught in English.

• Graduates in cognitive science are equipped to work in areas that require skills in experimental design and statistical modelling related to human behaviour. The programme prepares students for three main professional profiles:

  • Data analysis – using advanced statistical modelling to explain complex human behaviour.

  • Human factors – applying deep knowledge of attention and decision-making to develop more engaging and user-friendly products and communication materials.

  • Consumer behaviour – drawing on insights into how the brain perceives taste, texture, smell, and packaging to contribute to research and development, for instance in the food industry.

• Today, cognitive science degree programmes are offered at more than 70 universities worldwide.

Contact

Joshua Skewes
associate professor, Head of Department, Linguistics, Cognitive Science and Semiotics 
School of Communication og Culture
Aarhus University
Mail: filjcs@cc.au.dk
Phone: +4587162653

Mikkel Wallentin
Professor
Linguistics, Cognitive Science and Semiotics 
School of Communication og Culture
Aarhus University
Mail: mikkel@cc.au.dk
Phone: +4587163186