Cognitive Science

Information for applicants to our Cognitive Science degree programme.

Cognitive Science is the interdisciplinary study of the mind through psychology, philosophy, linguistics and informatics. You will be taught by researchers who laid the foundations of the subject and who continue to advance this unique and growing field.

Degree programmes and structures

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Cognitive Science degree programme: 2025 entry

 

A Degree Programme Table (DPT) provides comprehensive information about the structure of a degree programme, including both compulsory and optional courses. The detailed programme content for 2025/26 is available below.

 

Cognitive Science degree structure 2025/26

Here is an example timetable for Semester 1, Year 1. This student has chosen Morality and Value (M&V) as their philosophy option. Contact hours can differ depending on the subject. Outside of class time, you will be expected to complete the relevant reading, writing and revision for each course. 

Monday

  • 1:10pm to 2pm Morality and Value (Lecture) 

Tuesday

  • 3:10pm to 4pm Linguistics and English Language 1 (Lecture)
  • 10am to 10:50am Linguistics and English Language 1 (Lecture)
  • 11:10am to 12pm Introduction to Cognitive Science (Lecture)
  • 3:10pm to 4pm Morality and Value (Tutorial) 

Wednesday

  • 9am to 9:50am Introduction to Cognitive Science (Lab) 

Thursday

  • 3:10pm to 4pm Introduction to Cognitive Science (Lab)
  • 4:10pm to 5pm Linguistics and English Language 1 (Tutorial)
  • 11:10am to 12pm Introduction to Cognitive Science (Lecture)

Friday

  • 10am to 10:50am Morality and Value (Lecture)
  • 2:10pm to 3pm Introduction to Cognitive Science (Tutorial) 

Why study Cognitive Science at Edinburgh?

  • The University of Edinburgh is ranked 27th in the 2025 QS World University rankings.
  • Diverse range of courses; you can study a wide variety of course options in psychology, philosophy, linguistics and informatics.  
  • Innovative teaching methods; we offer an interactive and collaborative learning environment so that you are learning from peers as well as your tutors.  
  • State-of-the-art research facilities; including EEG, non-invasive brain stimulation and eye and motion tracking equipment. You will have the opportunity for hands-on laboratory work for training in transferable skills like computer programming.  

What do our students think?

‘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. Attempting to understand things like cognition, the relation between mind and body, how language works and just generally, what it means to be human, are things I wanted to know more about. 

Taking lots of different courses in different subject areas has been really interesting and has broadened my perspective a lot. You can really see different opinions and theories from linguistics, philosophy, psychology and informatics intertwine and link. This interdisciplinary approach is what I’ve enjoyed the most while studying Cognitive Science’.

Ane van der Merve, MA Cognitive Science, Class of 2023 

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