Cognitive Science (MSc)

at University of Edinburgh

You will follow two taught semesters of lectures, tutorials, project work and written assignments. During this time you will also learn research methods (such as literature review and project planning) to prepare for your final project and dissertation, which is completed during the summer.
 

Students on this degree typically follow one of two tracks, either focusing on speech and language processing in humans and machines, or more broadly on models of cognition, mind and brain. Example courses offered recently in these areas include:
 

• Accelerated Natural Language Processing
• Automatic Speech Recognition
• Computational Cognitive Neuroscience
• Computational Cognitive Science
• Natural Language Understanding, Generation, and Machine Translation
• Neural Computation
   

You will round out your degree with courses in related areas from the School of Informatics and the School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences (PPLS). Example courses offered recently include:
 

• Bioinformatics 1
• Cognition, Culture and Context (PPLS)
• Human Computer Interaction
• Image and Vision Computing
• Introductory Applied Machine Learning
• Reinforcement Learning
• Simulating Language (PPLS)
• Speech Processing (PPLS)
   

Please note: This degree has flexible course options. Students are only admitted onto the degree if they will have a viable set of options, but not all courses on offer are appropriate for all admitted students. The School of Informatics offers a wide selection of courses, but not all optional courses are guaranteed to run every year, and a few high-demand courses may limit enrolment to students on the most relevant degree(s).

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in informatics, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, electrical engineering, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, physics or psychology, plus experience in computer programming.
 

Entry to this programme is competitive. A typical offer will normally require a UK first class honours degree.
 

You must have a sufficient mathematical and informatics background for your chosen area of study.
 

This should include experience of computer programming equivalent to an introductory programming course and completion of the equivalent of 60 credits of mathematics during your degree that have typically covered the following subjects/topics: calculus (differentiation and integration), linear algebra (vectors and multi-dimensional matrices), Discrete mathematics and mathematical reasoning (e.g. induction and reasoning, graph theoretic models, proofs), and probability (concepts in discrete and continuous probabilities, Markov chains etc.)
 

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
 

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.
• Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

The fees for Cognitive Science (MSc) may vary from £10,000 to £20,000 annually for tuition fees. The fee's prices may get higher for International Students.

This programme will give you a deep understanding of the expanding domain of cognitive science through formal study and experiments. It is excellent preparation for a rewarding academic or professional career. The quality and reputation of the University, the School of Informatics and this programme will enhance your standing with many types of employer.