University course · real outcomes from HESA / Discover Uni · part of Careermash

University degree

Cognitive Science

University of Edinburgh · Edinburgh

Qualification

Degree

Length

4 yrs

UK fees / yr

£9,535

Study

full-time

Robin · your guide

Here's the honest picture on this course - what you'd study, whether you'd likely get in, what it pays, and where it leads. Everything's real data.

About this course

Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of the mind and how it works, bringing together philosophy, psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, computer science, and artificial intelligence to address questions that none of these disciplines can fully answer alone. It asks how we perceive, learn, remember, reason, use language, and make decisions. It examines the relationship between brain and mind, between biological and artificial intelligence, and between individual cognition and social and cultural context.

The humanities strand of cognitive science foregrounds the philosophical and linguistic dimensions of these questions.

At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year, full-time programme with a year abroad is offered within one of the world's leading centres for cognitive science research. Edinburgh's School of Informatics and its philosophy and linguistics departments are all world-class, and the cognitive science programme draws on all of them. The humanities route is particularly suited to students who want to engage with the philosophical foundations of cognitive science, with the theory and diversity of human language, and with the implications of cognitive research for our understanding of the mind, consciousness, and reasoning.

You will engage with philosophy of mind, the linguistics of cognitive and semantic systems, cognitive psychology, and the theoretical foundations of artificial intelligence, alongside the historical and cultural dimensions of how we have understood the mind across different traditions. The year abroad adds an international perspective. A typical entry tariff of 216 UCAS points reflects Edinburgh's position as a highly selective university for this programme.

Cognitive science develops analytical precision, breadth of intellectual reference, and the ability to move between disciplines with genuine understanding of each.

Graduates pursue careers in artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, data science, academic research, philosophy, linguistics, and education. Many proceed to postgraduate study in cognitive science, AI, philosophy of mind, or linguistics.

Could you get in?

The grades students arrived with

144-159 pts5%

160-175 pts15%

192-207 pts15%

208-223 pts5%

224-239 pts20%

240+ pts20%

How they qualified

55% got in with A-levels. The rest came in a mix of ways:

A-levels55%

Other25%

the IB15%

an Access course5%

Could I get in? Try your grades

120 UCAS pts

Pay & prospects

90%

In work or further study after

90%

Continue past first year

73%

Student satisfaction

What graduates earn over time

£27,000

3 years on

£33,000

5 years on

What graduates actually go on to do % of leavers

Information Technology ProfessionalsHighly skilled75%

Artistic, literary and media occupationsHighly skilled20%

Administrative occupations15%

Business and public service associate professionalsHighly skilled15%

Managers, directors and senior officialsHighly skilled10%

Caring personal services15%

Sales occupations10%

Therapy professionalsHighly skilled10%

What students say National Student Survey

73%

of students are satisfied with the course overall

Teaching90%

Assessment & feedback52%

Academic support42%

Well organised72%

Learning resources79%

Student community77%

In students' own words

★★★★★

Would do it again

Honestly, one of the best decisions I've made. The best part: the opportunity to do independent research in the final year is a highlight. If I'm honest, the timetable has some awkward 9am / Friday afternoon slots. On the city — the city is…

Class of 2023 · Part-time

★★★★★

Exceeded expectations

I've grown so much academically and personally here. The best part: the course strikes a good balance between theory and practical application. If I'm honest, the timetable has some awkward 9am / Friday afternoon slots. On the city — good t…

Final year · Full-time

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