COURSE CURRICULUM

The master’s specialisation in Applied Cognitive Psychology offers a comprehensive and practice-oriented program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to apply cognitive psychology to real-world challenges. The curriculum includes five mandatory courses that introduce students to core areas within the field, ensuring they gain an in-depth understanding of the cognitive processes that influence human behaviour in professional and organisational contexts. These courses serve as the foundation for the practical and research-oriented components of the program.A key element of the specialisation is the mandatory internship, worth 10 ECTS. This placement allows students to gain hands-on experience in a professional or research environment aligned with their interests. During the internship, students apply theoretical insights from their coursework to practical situations, either by contributing to applied research projects or by engaging directly with the work of psychologists in the field. When opting for a 10 ECTS internship, students supplement their training with two additional elective courses, which can be tailored to their academic or career ambitions. This combination ensures that students develop into well-rounded ‘scientist-practitioners’ capable of bridging theory and practice.The program culminates in the master’s thesis, which represents the capstone of the student’s academic journey. This independent research project allows students to explore a cognition-related topic in depth and to demonstrate their ability to conduct rigorous empirical research. Depending on their interests, students may design their own study and collect data or work with existing datasets provided by faculty members. The topics available vary each year and reflect the ongoing research expertise of Leiden’s staff, giving students the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge issues in cognitive psychology.By integrating coursework, practical training, and independent research, the Applied Cognitive Psychology specialisation prepares graduates for careers in applied research, consultancy, ergonomics, human factors, and organisational development, as well as for further academic study.