Master in Cognitive Science at University of Trento
Two-year English-taught LM-55 master's at UniTrento's Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences in Rovereto, with tracks in cognitive neuroscience, computational modelling of language and cognition, and behavioural neuroscience. Entry needs a related bachelor's and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Rovereto
English
University of Trento
Cognitive Science is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-55) taught in English at the University of Trento's Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences in Rovereto. Entry needs a bachelor's with a background in psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, maths, computing or engineering, plus English at B2. Non-EU fees follow your admission score, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
UniTrento's Cognitive Science master asks for a bachelor's degree with a background suited to the cognitive sciences, English at B2, a CV and statement of purpose, and a merit score of at least 50 out of 100. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and background
You need a bachelor's or higher degree awarded in Italy, or a foreign qualification recognised as equivalent. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants still studying could apply if they graduated before 30 June 2026. [1]
You also need suitable professional, vocational and academic experience for an interdisciplinary degree, in the disciplines that make up the cognitive sciences: [1]
- philosophy and linguistics;
- psychology;
- psychobiology and cognitive neuroscience;
- mathematics, computer science and engineering.
The call does not set a minimum number of credits or a minimum grade. The committee scores the relevance of your studies and experience as part of the ranking. [1]
What this means for your transcript
The rule names subject areas rather than credit counts, so the committee looks at how close your studies are to one of the three tracks. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a BA or B.Sc. in Psychology; a B.Tech or B.E. in Computer Science, a BCA or a B.Sc. in Computer Science or Mathematics; a BA in Linguistics or Philosophy.
- Check carefully: a B.Sc. in Biology, Biotechnology or Life Sciences, which fits better with neuroscience or psychobiology courses; a B.Tech in another engineering branch; a BA in English or another language with little linguistics.
- Often short: degrees built mostly outside the listed areas, such as a B.Com, BBA, law, pharmacy or hotel management, unless your experience links them to cognitive science.
Relevance of previous studies and experience is worth up to 20 of the 100 points. [1]
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher, shown by one of: [1]
- an internationally recognised English certificate that meets the UniTrento Language Centre guidelines on type, duration and validity, submitted by 15 June 2026 at the latest (2026/27 rule);
- a transcript showing a university English exam at B2 level, with the level clearly stated;
- a certificate from the UniTrento Language Centre for a B2 English exam with a written and an oral test;
- a self-certification that English is your mother tongue;
- a certificate from the university that awarded your bachelor's or master's stating that the degree was taught entirely in English.
The call does not limit the last route to particular countries and does not list minimum test scores. [1]
Selection and ranking
There is no entrance test. A committee of at least three CIMeC teaching staff scores your file out of 100: [1]
- Up to 50 points: academic background and reference letter, including transcripts, publications, work experience, internships, volunteering and languages.
- Up to 20 points: relevance of your previous studies and extracurricular activities to the aims of the course.
- Up to 30 points: statement of purpose, judged on clarity, motivation, relevance, English and originality.
The committee may invite you to an interview, in person or online, if it needs more information. A score of 50 or more makes you eligible, and ties go to the younger candidate. Non-EU applicants are ranked on a separate list. The first 6 places in each of the three tracks go to the top applicants for that track, then the rest follow the general ranking. You cannot change track after admission. [1]
2026/27 places and deadlines
For 2026/27 the master had 80 places, 35 of them reserved for non-EU applicants living abroad, with a priority reserve of 6 places per track. Non-EU places left unassigned pass to European applicants and non-EU applicants permanently resident in Italy. [1]
Non-EU applicants applied in the first call, from 17 December 2025 to 4 March 2026 at 12:00 CET. Admitted candidates confirmed their place by the date published with the ranking. They had to obtain the visa by 20 September 2026 and arrive in Italy before 30 September 2026. These are the 2026/27 dates. The 2027/28 call is not yet published and will set the new dates. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
The online application needs: [1]
- your passport (personal data pages);
- your bachelor's certificate, or a certificate showing your expected graduation date;
- a transcript with all courses, exams and marks, the weighted average and the grading scale, with an official translation if it is not in English or Italian;
- a master's transcript, if you already hold a master's;
- a Europass CV in English;
- your English proof;
- a statement of purpose in English of up to 4,000 characters, spaces included.
A reference letter, preferably from a university lecturer, is optional and is sent by the referee by the application deadline. After confirming your place, you pre-enrol on Universitaly within two weeks, and pre-enrolment is needed for the visa. UniTrento may ask for a statement of verification or comparability for your degree. [1][2]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of Trento, Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC). Public selection for admission to the two-year Master's degree in Cognitive Science, academic year 2026/27 (English translation; the Italian version is binding). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Trento, Cognitive Science master's programme page, admission for non-European applicants, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Trento. Tuition fees for non-EU citizens on English-taught master's degrees, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Cognitive Science is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-55 Scienze cognitive) worth 120 ECTS and taught in English. It is run by the Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC) of the University of Trento, at Corso Bettini 31 in Rovereto, in the province of Trento.
The course gives advanced theoretical and methodological training in behavioural, cognitive and computational neuroscience and computational linguistics, combining biology-based and technology-based ways of studying the mind and brain. It suits graduates in psychology, biology, linguistics, philosophy, mathematics or computer science who are drawn to research. Access is limited: for 2026/27 there were 80 places, 35 of them reserved for non-EU applicants living abroad. [1]
What you will study
You choose one of three tracks, each with its own core units, and then follow a shared second-year pattern of an advanced course, a 15 ECTS internship and a 30 ECTS thesis. Examples from the official plan:
- Cognitive Neuroscience: brain imaging foundations, cognitive psychology, behavioural neurology and Matlab programming, then Advanced Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience
- Computational and Theoretical Modelling of Language and Cognition: Python programming, computational linguistics, machine learning for natural language processing and mathematical foundations, then Computational Modelling of Perception
- Fundamental Behavioural Neuroscience: Animal Cognition and Neuroscience (9 ECTS), cognitive psychology and Matlab programming, then Brain Development and Disease (9 ECTS)
- Electives across neuroscience specialisations and statistics
- An internship (15 ECTS) and a thesis (30 ECTS) in the second year
How the programme is taught
Students get hands-on training and research experience in CIMeC's laboratories, which include functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial brain stimulation (TBS). The long internship and thesis are usually carried out inside research groups. The degree also offers a joint UniTrento and SISSA study option.
Career paths
According to the university, most graduates go on to a PhD and a research career. Others move into non-academic roles linked to cognitive neuroscience, computational linguistics or artificial intelligence, including at large technology companies. UniTrento runs its own doctoral programme in Cognitive Science.
Fees and scholarships
Cognitive Science is in fee group A of UniTrento's 2026/27 rules for non-EU students living abroad on English-taught master's degrees. An admission score of 90 or more means no first-year fee, and lower scores pay a reduced fee by score band. In the second year the fee follows credits earned by 10 August, with a full waiver from 42 ECTS. UniTrento grants scholarships to the top-scoring non-EU applicants with at least 70 out of 100, and scholarship holders are exempt from fees. [1][3] Eligible students can also apply to Opera Universitaria di Trento, and the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
The degree has its own call. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad had 35 places and applied online by 4 March 2026 at 12:00 CET. A committee scored applicants out of 100 on their academic background, the relevance of their studies and their statement of purpose, and ranking lists were published on the degree website. [1]
Admitted candidates confirmed their place, pre-enrolled on Universitaly within two weeks and had to obtain a type D study visa by 20 September 2026, arriving in Italy before 30 September 2026. The 2027/28 call is not published yet. [1][2]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against UniTrento's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application with CV and statement of purpose, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your Opera Universitaria di Trento scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted for Cognitive Science at UniTrento?
You need a bachelor's or recognised foreign equivalent with a background suited to the cognitive sciences: philosophy and linguistics, psychology, psychobiology and cognitive neuroscience, or mathematics, computer science and engineering. The call sets no credit count, and the committee scores how relevant your studies are. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written test. A committee scores your file out of 100: up to 50 for academic background and reference letter, 20 for the relevance of your studies and experience, and 30 for your statement of purpose. You need 50 to be eligible, and an interview may be held. [1]
Do I need IELTS, or is my English-medium degree enough?
You need English at CEFR B2. A certificate from your university that your degree was taught entirely in English counts, as does a B2 English exam on your transcript or a recognised certificate, submitted by 15 June 2026 under the 2026/27 call. The call lists no minimum scores. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad applied between 17 December 2025 and 4 March 2026 at 12:00 CET, for 35 reserved places. Admitted students had to obtain the visa by 20 September 2026. The 2027/28 call will set the new dates. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants could apply with a certificate showing their expected graduation date, as long as they graduated before 30 June 2026. [1]
I have a BCA or a B.Sc. in Biology. Can I apply?
Possibly. Computer science is one of the listed areas, so a BCA can suit the computational modelling track, and a biology degree fits better if it includes psychobiology or neuroscience. The committee scores how relevant your studies are, so we match your transcript to one of the three tracks. [1]
How are tuition fees set for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, the fee for non-EU students living abroad followed the admission score in year one, with a full waiver at 90 or more. In year two, 42 ECTS by 10 August brings a waiver, and top scorers from 70 may get a fee-waiving UniTrento scholarship. [1][3]
What do graduates go on to do?
The university says most graduates continue to a PhD and a research career, while others take non-academic roles linked to cognitive neuroscience, computational linguistics or artificial intelligence.
Can someone handle my whole application to Cognitive Science at UniTrento?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against UniTrento's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the Opera Universitaria di Trento scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into Cognitive Science?
A recognised Indian bachelor's in psychology, computer science, engineering, maths, linguistics or philosophy, or a biology degree with neuroscience content, can fit the background rule, and the committee scores how relevant it is. You also need English at B2, which a university certificate of fully English-taught study can show. The steps are the online application, merit ranking, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for Cognitive Science are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application, merit ranking, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Cognitive Science are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application, merit ranking, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Cognitive Science are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: online application, merit ranking, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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