# Cognitive Studies

**Source**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate/cognitive-studies
**Parent**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate

50.04.01 
*In English and Russian*

Level of education Master

Type of instruction Full-time

Duration 2 years

Programme description

- The Cognitive Studies programme is one of the longest-established master’s programmes in cognitive science in Russia. The programme is designed to provide students with an understanding of: the patterns of human acquisition, storage, transformation and use of knowledge; the relations between cognitive abilities and language activity; and the neurophysiological bases of mental functions
- The programme is unique in its emphasis on fundamental training and its interdisciplinary approach. The programme trains specialists who are proficient in a wide range of empirical research methods and equipped to conduct research within interdisciplinary teams
- Training is aimed at developing the skills set in state-of-the-art technologies in the field of human brain research and gaining experience on special-purpose equipment: electroencephalography; eye-tracking; and others
- The programme welcomes applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology, linguistics, biology, or cognitive studies

Main courses

- Visual Arts and Optics
- Design of Research in Cognitive Sciences
- Individual Differences in Cognitive Neurophysiology
- Cognitive Neurophysiology
- Interdisciplinary Approach to Language Study (in English)
- Ontolinguistics
- Psycholinguistics
- Psychology of Consciousness
- Psychology of Creative Thinking
- Modern Cognitive Psychology
- Human Evolution, Culture and Behaviour
- Evolution, Human Cognition and Language (in English)

Our advantages

- The programme is unique in that it provides an opportunity to combine the educational process with research activities in interdisciplinary fields: psycholinguistics; neurolinguistics; cognitive psychology; cognitive psychophysiology; and cognitive neurophysiology. The research activities are conducted at a joint educational and research centre - the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University
- During the course, considerable attention is given to practical skills: students learn to use eye-tracking equipment and to master technologies in human brain research (EEG, fMRI).
- The programme places particular emphasis on data processing methods and their application to EEG and fMRI results
- The programme provides the opportunity to carry out research into interdisciplinary fields: psycholinguistics; neurolinguistics; cognitive psychology; cognitive psychophysiology; and cognitive neurophysiology
- Interdisciplinary approach and active interaction of representatives of various branches of science involved in cognitive studies

Teaching staff

- Tatiana Chernigovskaya, Doctor of Biology, Doctor of Philology, Professor, Member of the Russian Academy of Education, Director of the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University; Honoured Worker of Higher Education and Honoured Worker of Science of the Russian Federation; Member of the Presidium of the Higher Assessment Committee of the Russian Federation; Recipient of the Gold Medal of the Russian Academy of Sciences for Outstanding Achievements in Promoting Scientific Knowledge; author of more than 360 scholarly publications on neurolinguistics and the theory of consciousness
- Sergey Stafeev, Doctor of Engineering, Professor of the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University. His research focuses on neuroiconic holography and perception in augmented reality. He has been awarded the Medal of the Order ‘For Merit to the Fatherland, 2nd class. He is a laureate of the Russian Federation Government Prize in Education; author of more than 150 scholarly and educational publications
- Maxim Kireev, Doctor of Biology, Professor at the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University; Recipient of the 300th Anniversary Medal of the Russian Academy of Sciences; conducts research into the functioning patterns of brain systems in cognitive activity; author of more than 80 scholarly papers

Main areas of research

Research related to the study of: cognition; thinking; perception; knowledge representation and acquisition; specific features of language as a means of cognition and communication; and brain mechanisms of cognition and complex behaviours.

Career opportunities

Career

Graduates can be engaged in: teaching and research work in human and animal cognitive activity; artificial intelligence and equipment design; software applications and environments; and human psychological development. They can also work as administrative and managerial personnel at any level in institutions and enterprises in the field of education and science, and organization of scientific events.

Practical training

- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, the Russian Academy of Sciences
- N.P. Bekhtereva Institute of the Human Brain of the Russian Academy of Sciences
- The Laboratory of Cognitive Studies, St Petersburg University

Prospective Employers

- The Laboratory of Cognitive Studies, St Petersburg University
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, the Russian Academy of Sciences
- Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona, Spain)

[This webpage may contain outdated information. The programme descriptions and admission requirements for the 2026/2027 academic year are currently being updated. For the latest information on 2026/2027 admission, please visit the Admissions Office website.](https://abiturient.spbu.ru/en/)

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