- Identify and describe major topics arising within the domain of cognitive science
- Recognize and manage the theoretical diversity found within contributing disciplines
- Situate contemporary research in cognitive science in a theoretical and practical context
- Bring insights from diverse disciplines to bear on focussed topics within the field
- Articulate research questions within the field and display an awareness of the empirical methods that can potentially be brought to bear on them
- Communicate research questions and findings to audiences in diverse disciplines, including the general public
- Present their research in public and communicate clearly in writing
- Critique theoretical and empirical claims made in the primary literature
- Inform discussions that demand the integration of skills and insights from diverse disciplines in addressing topics related to human experience and behaviour
This course is available through the following application route(s)
The MSc Cognitive Science suits those interested in issues relating to the rich questions about the human mind from philosophical, psychological, and computational perspectives. Advanced computational skills are not a prerequisite. The course is designed as a suitable preparation for those wishing to progress to research, e.g. at PhD level.
You will have the opportunity to be familiar with the problems arising in the description of minds, brains, and behaviour and the theoretical approaches to them, know the principal 20th Century philosophical approaches to mind, brain and body, understand the concepts employed in cognitive psychology, along with their limitations, and develop an interdisciplinary perspective that links and integrates insights from multiple specialised domains.
Further information is available on the course website.
- Unique taught offering providing advanced material in psychology, philosophy of mind, computational modeling, neuropsychology, and more
- Ideal preparation for future PhD studies tackling interdisciplinary topics
- Includes a substantial research project, conducted largely during the Summer months
About This Course
This is not a vocational course. Over one year we cover a very broad range of material, thus greatly increasing the breadth of academic exposure of our students. Historically, about half of the students go on to do PhD studies, and many others look for work in research. This course will not make a psychologist out of a non-psychologist, or an IT specialist out of someone who is not an IT specialist upon entry. It will enable students to tackle research issues they might not have been able to before, and to do PhDs in areas that would not have been possible before. Many students pursue this course because of a passionate interest in our scientific understanding of what it is to be human. Please note that a cognitive science degree is not part of an accredited programme towards a clinical degree, and it has minimal neuroscientific content.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
COMP40290 | Research Project in Cognitive Science | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR: Students should select a total of 60 credits across 7 or 8 modules |
COMP40250 | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | Autumn | 7.5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR: Students should select a total of 60 credits across 7 or 8 modules |
COMP47230 | Introduction to Cognitive Scie | Autumn | 7.5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR: Students should select a total of 60 credits across 7 or 8 modules |
PSY40020 | Fundamentals of Cognitive Neuropsychology | Autumn | 7.5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR: Students should select a total of 60 credits across 7 or 8 modules |
PSY40910 | Embodied & Social Cognitive Neuroscience | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR: Students should select a total of 60 credits across 7 or 8 modules |
COMP40260 | Connectionism and Dynamical Systems | Spring | 7.5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR: Students should select a total of 60 credits across 7 or 8 modules |
COMP40280 | Embodiment and Enactive approaches to Cognitive Science | Spring | 7.5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR: Students should select a total of 60 credits across 7 or 8 modules |
COMP47740 | Guided reading Cog.Sci. III | Spring | 7.5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 30CR: Students should select a total of 60 credits across 7 or 8 modules |
PHIL40970 | Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR: Selection of these modules must be discussed with the programme director |
PHIL31030 | Philosophy of Perception and the Senses | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR: Selection of these modules must be discussed with the programme director |
PHIL41890 | Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR: Selection of these modules must be discussed with the programme director |
COMP47980 | Generative AI: Language Models | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR: Selection of these modules must be discussed with the programme director |
PHIL31120 | Wittgenstein | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR: Selection of these modules must be discussed with the programme director |
PHIL40250 | Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR: Selection of these modules must be discussed with the programme director |
PHIL40960 | The Cultural Mind | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR: Selection of these modules must be discussed with the programme director |
PHIL41320 | Topics in Continental Philos | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR: Selection of these modules must be discussed with the programme director |
PHIL41330 | Philosophy of Time | Spring | 10 |
Eileen Wahl, Kentucky, USA
I felt that I really grew as a scientist by being able to critique other people’s papers and to think about those issues when I am doing my own science work. I would certainly recommend this programme to international students as you get to meet people from all different countries.
Cognitive Science (T023) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 10350
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MSc Cognitive Science (T084) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 5600
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 10350
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MSc Cognitive Science (T084) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 5600
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please visit International Scholarships.
- This programme is intended for applicants with a degree in computer science, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, neuroscience or a other related discipline. More important than the name of the primary degree is that applicants must display an awareness of the interdisciplinary challenges of cognitive science, and be prepared to engage with those challenges through earnest and open questioning. Please note that many psychology undergraduate programmes do not provide this kind of interdisciplinary sensitivity. An upper second class honours or the international equivalent is required.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent, such as TOEFL (iBT) score of 90 or PTE score of 63. Visit the UCD Admissions website for further details.
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
Anyone interested in issues relating to the understanding of the human mind from philosophical, psychological, and computational perspectives would be well suited to this degree. A solid background in one contributing discipline is required.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Cognitive Science:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | T023 Cognitive Science Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | T084 Cognitive Science Master of Science Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |
* you can change options at the top of the page