Course Summary
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.
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Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate an adequate foundation in themes of relevance to Cognitive Science. This usually takes the form of
A BA/BSc degree in one or more of the main contributing disciplines (Philosophy, Psychology, Neuroscience, Linguistics, Computer Science) with a final award of 2:1 or better (GPA of approx. 3·2), or international equivalent.
Applicants must display familiarity and critical engagement with some aspect of Cognitive Science. A degree in Computer Science that is focused on software engineering alone, for example, would not be considered adequate preparation, whereas the same degree with evidence of theoretical proficiency in robotics or human-computer interaction would be appropriate. Similarly, applicants with a background in Psychology would be expected to demonstrate critical engagement with the theoretical aspects of cognitive science, and not only clinical practice.
All applications are assessed on a case by case basis, however, so students with a non-standard background may also wish to consider applying. Advanced computational skills are not a prerequisite for this programme.
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. https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/
Application Details
Apply online
Who Should Apply?
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
W358 MSc Cognitive Science
Master of Science Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
W359 MSc Cognitive Science
Master of Science Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Fees
MSc Cognitive Science (W358) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 10100
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MSc Cognitive Science (W359) Part Time
nonEU fee per year - € 11300
EU fee per year - € 5460
***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 see International Scholarships.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
This is not a vocational course. In the course of 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 for before, and to do PhDs in areas that would not have been possible before. It also has the potential to enrich one’s engagement with a very broad range of challenging material. 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.
Duration
W359: 2 years part-time.