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Cognitive Science (Humanities) at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course summary

Philosophers and scientists have speculated about the nature of the human mind and how language affects it. Recent developments offer new ways to understand the human mind, across fields such as:

  • robotics
  • brain imaging
  • speech technology
Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary attempt to understand the human mind. It focuses on abilities such as:
  • reasoning
  • perception
  • memory
  • awareness
  • emotion
  • attention
  • judgement
  • motor control
  • language use
Cognitive science brings together and forms connections between these abilities, through methods such as:
  • computer modelling
  • linguistic analysis
  • philosophical reasoning
  • robotics
  • neuroimaging
  • psychological experiments
It brings together scholars from:
  • linguistics
  • psychology
  • philosophy
  • neuroscience
  • computer science
Cognitive Science at the University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh played a key role in founding this discipline by forming connections between the disciplines that contribute to the study of human cognition. You will learn from researchers who both laid the foundations, and are still making key advances in the field. The programme content is regularly reviewed to make sure you learn about current developments. Our Cognitive Science (Humanities) programme offers an opportunity to complete a selection of basic courses covering material in:
  • linguistics
  • philosophy
  • psychology
  • computer science
Our goal is to help you achieve a broad understanding of issues, such as the:
  • relationship between language and thought
  • relationship between mind and brain
  • philosophical implications of our ability to look inside the brain and to model its activities in computers and robots
Programme benefits
  • The University of Edinburgh helped to create the field of cognitive science and is still at the forefront of it.
  • You will learn not only from researchers who laid the foundations of the subject,but also from researchers who are still making key advances.
  • 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.


How to apply

This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

Application codes

Course code:
C851
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/479-cognitive-science-humanities

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/479-cognitive-science-humanities


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)92total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
75%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
85%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9535* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535* Year 1
Wales £9535* Year 1
Channel Islands £9535* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535* Year 1
EU £38900 Year 1
International £38900 Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535. For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits . EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Cognitive Science (Humanities) at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS