BSc Cognitive Science
About this course
BSc Honours in Cognitive Science, an interdisciplinary degree that examines the human mind, language, perception, and reasoning through psychology, linguistics, computer science, and philosophy. Core topics include Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The course includes options for an optional placement year and an optional year abroad. The first year establishes foundations through Quantitative Methods for Cognitive Science 1, Philosophical Approaches to the Humanities and Social Sciences and Critical Reasoning, Cognitive Psychology, Principles of Evolution, Genetics and Behavioural Development, Perception, Introduction to the Structure of Language 1: Phonetics, Phonology & Morphology, Introduction to Language Structure 2: Syntax, semantics and pragmatics, and Introduction to Computing. The second year advances into quantitative analysis, neuroscience, and computational topics via Quantitative Methods for Cognitive Science 2, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Computations: Real and Artificial Intelligence, and Experimental Methods in Linguistics. Optional modules allow students to explore diverse areas such as Philosophy and Science, Foundations in Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Phonetics and Phonological Theory, Sociolinguistics, and Philosophy of Linguistics.
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 IB: 32 points
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What students say
Based on about 22 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 71%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 71%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 14 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: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 25%
- Information Technology Professionals: 15%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 15 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North East: 25%
- North West: 15%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 20%
- East Midlands: 5%
- London: 30%
- South East: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Quantitative Methods for Cognitive Science 1
- Philosophical Approaches to the Humanities and Social Sciences and Critical Reasoning
- Cognitive Psychology
- Principles of Evolution, Genetics and Behavioural Development
- Perception
- Introduction to the Structure of Language 1: Phonetics, Phonology & Morphology
- Introduction to Language Structure 2: Syntax, semantics and pragmatics
- Introduction to Computing
- Quantitative Methods for Cognitive Science 2
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Cognitive Computations: Real and Artificial Intelligence
- Experimental Methods in Linguistics
- Philosophy and Science
- Foundations in Developmental Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Individual Differences
- Biological Psychology: Sex, Drugs, Rhythms and Blues
- Psychological Enquiry 2: Principles of Psychology
- Introduction to Comparative Cognition and Behaviour
- Phonetics and Phonological Theory
- Syntactic Theory
- Sociolinguistics
- Pragmatic Theory
- CHiLD: Current Hypotheses in Language Development
- Experimental Practicum
- Philosophy of Linguistics
- Being Human: debates, questions and conversations in anthropology
- Brain and Behaviour across the Lifespan II: Neuropsychology
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Cognitive Science at Newcastle University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £30,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £36,000. The £30,000 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of BSc Cognitive Science at Newcastle University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Cognitive Science at Newcastle University?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Cognitive Science at Newcastle University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
Does BSc Cognitive Science at Newcastle University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Cognitive Science at Newcastle University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.