Welcome to Cognitive Science at the University of Edinburgh
Philosophers and scientists have long speculated about the nature of the human mind and the role of language in making the human mind what it is. Cognitive science brings together scholars from linguistics, psychology, philosophy, neuroscience and computer science.
Edinburgh was one of the places where cognitive science’s constituent disciplines first came together in the 1960s. It has developed that tradition of research and teaching ever since and is one of the most exciting places in the world at which to study the nature of the mind and its capacities, such as language, vision and reasoning.
Why study Cognitive Science at Edinburgh?
- Edinburgh played a key role in establishing this area of study. You will be taught by researchers who laid the foundations and are still making key advances in the field.
- This interdisciplinary programme allows you to take courses across psychology, philosophy, linguistics and informatics.
- Edinburgh is one of the largest centres in Europe for the study of human cognition and the only university in Scotland to offer Cognitive Science at undergraduate degree level.
Our degree programmes
Single honours
Four-year undergraduate degree programme
MA (Hons) Cognitive Science (Humanities) C851
The University of Edinburgh also offers a BSc Cognitive Science – run by the College of Science & Engineering.
Degree programme content
First year compulsory courses:
Introduction to Cognitive Science - You will be introduced to the study of cognitive science as the intersection of interrelated disciplines including philosophy, linguistics, computer science, human-computer interaction and neuroscience.
Informatics 1 - Cognitive Science - This course provides a more computationally oriented introduction to cognitive science and covers language, vision and attention, memory, motor control and action, and reasoning and generalisation.
Linguistics and English Language - The course considers language structure, language variation, accents and dialects, and what is unique about the human capacity for language.
Optional courses:
You get the chance to take two option courses outside your key discipline in your first year. There are a wide range of courses to choose from and you might choose based on enhancing or complementing your degree programme, or choose something based on interest.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme:
Please note this programme structure is for the current course content and availability is subject to change.
Teaching and support
Types of teaching
In Years 1 and 2 teaching is mostly conducted in lectures and small group meeting called tutorials, where you will have the chance to discuss topics in greater detail. Lectures comprise up to 480 students and tutorials normally comprise around 12 students. Usually you will have around 12 contact hours per week.
In Years 3 and 4 the emphasis shifts to more specialized, seminar-based courses and independent study.
Student adviser
You will be allocated a named Student Adviser. The Student Adviser will support you during your time at University and will work alongside academic staff and teaching teams for more specialised academic support.
Cognitive Science Society
The Cognitive Science Society aims to provide a community for Cognitive Science students at the university. They organise events throughout the academic year, such as pub quizzes, socials, film screenings, discussion groups and peer support sessions.
Careers in cognitive science
Graduates with cognitive science qualifications have excellent employment prospects. Recent examples of roles cognitive science graduates have gone onto include:
- Charity Project Worker
- HR Consultant
- Social Worker
- Evaluation Officer
- Project Manager for a financial institution
- Supporter Relations Manager for a charity
- Summer School Director
- Marketing Executive
Student experience
Ané van der Merwe, 4th year MA Cognitive Science student
"The MA Cognitive Science degree at Edinburgh is one of its kind. Cognitive Science as an undergraduate degree is not very common.
I love that Cognitive Science encompasses so many different fields of study. It gives me the option to cater my learning to the areas that truly captivate me.
Taking lots of different courses in different subject areas has been really interesting and has broadened my perspective a lot. This interdisciplinary approach is what I’ve enjoyed the most whilst studying Cognitive Science."
Find out more about cognitive science
We’ve put together a list of resources to get you thinking about cognitive science:
Steven Pinker: The Language Instinct (Penguin) - A solid introduction to develop your understanding of how our minds enable us to use language.
Contact (1997) - Film based on the late Carl Sagan’s novel about a young scientist’s efforts to make contact with intelligent life beyond our world.
Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett: A Way with Words - Fun and fascinating podcast that discusses linguistics, slang, new words, jokes, riddles, word games, grammar, old sayings, word origins, regional dialects, family expressions, and speaking and writing well.
Read the latest Cognitive Science news from the school: News | The University of Edinburgh
Connect with us
For enquiries about entry requirements, admissions and your application:
Email: future.students@ed.ac.uk
How to apply and fees & funding information:
Degree Finder for Cognitive Science
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