MA Cognitive Science (Humanities)
About this course
MA (Hons) in Cognitive Science (Humanities), an undergraduate degree exploring the human mind through linguistics, philosophy, psychology, and computer science. The first year covers perception, memory, motor control, language, reasoning, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and informatics. The second year examines Knowledge and Reality (Philosophy) and Cross-linguistic Variation: Limits and Theories (Linguistics). The third year progresses to advanced topics including language processing, neural computation, robotics and vision, computational modelling, language evolution, language acquisition, speech processing, ontology of mind, theories of mind, theories of truth, ethics, memory and perception, attention, and development.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: Biology or Human Biology at B, Chemistry at B, Computer Science or equivalent at B, Environmental Science at B, Geography at B, Geology at B, Life and Health Science at B, Mathematics at B, Physics at B, Psychology at B, Statistics at B) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 31%: 17 offers from 55 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 83%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 66%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 69%
- Learning resources: 77%
- Student voice: 74%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 25%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 435 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 38%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 32%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 65%
- Baccalaureate: 15%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 15%
Modules
- perception
- memory
- motor control
- language
- reasoning
- psychology
- philosophy
- linguistics
- informatics
- Knowledge and Reality (Philosophy)
- Cross-linguistic Variation: Limits and Theories (Linguistics)
- language processing
- neural computation
- robotics and vision
- computational modelling
- language evolution
- language acquisition
- speech processing
- ontology of mind
- theories of mind
- theories of truth
- ethics
- memory and perception
- attention
- development
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £40,000 after 15 months, £27,000 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £44,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) at University of Edinburgh do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) at University of Edinburgh?
83% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 162 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) at University of Edinburgh?
31% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 17 offers from 55 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.