Course overview
Are you curious about how the human mind functions? Fascinated by how people communicate effectively? Interested in why technologies aren’t always accessible?
Cognitive Science, like psychology, aims to understand the mind’s complexities and how the brain’s mental processes influence behaviour. It emerged in the 1950s as a response to Behaviourism, which argued that behaviour is shaped by past experiences and conditioning. This theory became difficult to defend, especially for researchers studying language development, which Behaviourism couldn’t explain.
Cognitive Science developed as an interdisciplinary field, bringing together insights from psychologists, linguists, computer scientists, and philosophers. This shift led to key breakthroughs in understanding language, perception, memory, and decision-making.
This degree explores key cognitive functions like perception, attention, memory, and language. You’ll understand the various methods used to explore behaviour and understand the strengths and limitations of different approaches.
By studying modules from across the University, you’ll come to understand:
- The structure and function of the human mind and brain
- The development and evolution of human language and communication
- How AI impacts the way we think and communicate
You’ll graduate with the ability to combine critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the knowledge and understanding to reshape our future.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
- 8th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2025 (Linguistics category)
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 200 for Psychology – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 150 for Linguistics – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 9th in the UK – Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 (Linguistics category)
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 150 for Psychology – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you’ll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions
You’ll be introduced to a broad base of theoretical frameworks. They will set you up with a strong foundation for the rest of your degree. You’ll explore cognitive psychology, language structure, philosophy, and basic skills for dealing with quantitative and computational data.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Philosophical Approaches to the Humanities and Social Sciences | 10 |
| Cognitive Psychology | 10 |
| Introduction to the Structure of Language 1: Phonetics, Phonology & Morphology | 20 |
| Introduction to Computing | 10 |
| Quantitative Methods for Cognitive Science 1 | 20 |
| Critical Reasoning | 10 |
| Principles of Evolution, Genetics and Behavioural Development | 10 |
| Perception | 10 |
| Introduction to Language Structure 2: Syntax, semantics and pragmatics | 20 |
You’ll delve deeper into language development, current theory and practice in psychological science, and applied data analysis.
You’ll choose from a wide range of optional modules to focus in more depth on topics that interest you. Modules will include topics such as social psychology, second language acquisition, philosophy of science, and experimental methods in behavioural science.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Cognitive Neuroscience | 10 |
| Quantitative Methods for Cognitive Science 2 | 20 |
| Experimental Methods in Linguistics | 20 |
You take 70 credits of optional modules from the following list, at least 10 credits should be Psychology modules:
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Science | 10 |
| Foundations in Developmental Psychology | 10 |
| Social Psychology | 10 |
| Psychological Enquiry 2: Principles of Psychology | 10 |
| Syntactic Theory | 20 |
| Sociolinguistics | 20 |
| Pragmatic Theory | 20 |
| CHiLD: Current Hypotheses in Language Development | 20 |
| Individual Differences | 20 |
| Biological Psychology: Sex, Drugs, Rhythms and Blues | 10 |
| Introduction to Comparative Cognition and Behaviour | 10 |
| Multilingualism | 20 |
| Introduction to Second Language Acquisition | 20 |
| Experimental Practicum [Linguistics] | 20 |
| Comparing Cultures: Big debates | 20 |
| Brain and Behaviour across the Lifespan II: Neuropsychology | 10 |
You’ll put the knowledge and skills from Stages 1 and 2 into practice. You’ll undertake your own research in an independent project with cross-disciplinary supervision. Alongside this, you’ll take advanced modules in linguistics and psychology. You’ll also have the the option of integrating modules from other disciplines.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Empirical Project for Cognitive Science | 40 |
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Developmental Psychology | 10 |
| Art, Mind and Brain | 10 |
| Clinical Sport & Exercise Psychology | 20 |
| Cultural and Technical Intelligence: Developmental and Comparative Perspectives | 10 |
| The Science behind our choices: decision-making across species and societies | 10 |
| Origins and Evolution of Language | 20 |
| The History of Linguistic Ideas | 20 |
| Advanced Second Language Acquisition | 20 |
| The Damaged Brain: Case Studies in Neuropsychology | 10 |
| Neurodiversity of Development | 20 |
| It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it: Prosody and intonation | 20 |
| Comparative Syntax: English in a cross-linguistic context | 20 |
| Laboratory Phonology | 20 |
| From Input to Output: The Blackbox of Child Language Acquisition | 20 |
| Career Development for final year students | 20 |
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
You’ll be taught through a combination of:
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- computer-based lab sessions
- practical sessions
- field work
Skills and experience
You’ll learn to integrate and apply theoretical perspectives from core disciples of cognitive science including:
- psychology
- linguistics
- philosophy
- computer science
You’ll hone skills in:
- persuasive and scientific writing
- effective presentation of cross-disciplinary research
- quantitative analysis and data visualisation
- basic computer programming
Research skills
In Stage 3 you’ll undertake an independent research project. This will be a cross-disciplinary collaborative supervision from at least two core cognitive science disciplines. It will give you the chance to integrate critical and technical skills to address open questions in cognitive science. This will allow you to produce new and innovative interdisciplinary research. This independent, research project also allows you to show your learned knowledge. It’ll also allow you to develop your skills, techniques and understanding.
Our staff have world-leading expertise in:
- comparative approaches to human cognition and behaviour
- machine learning and analysis of large-scale behavioural/language datasets
- evolutionary and developmental approaches to human language
- intimacy, sexuality, family, childhood, and education
- digital labour, platform economies and neoliberalism
- media ethics
Opportunities
Professional Placements
You can apply for a professional placement between Stage 2 and Stage 3. This is Subject to eligibility. The School of Psychology placement team secure and advertise a wide range of placements. Examples of previous placements have been in the NHS Foundation Trust, Northumbria Police, University research institutes and local mental health support charities. National placement opportunities are also advertised, for example, at Great Ormond Street Hospital. If successful in securing a placement, you will be supported by the placement team. They will support you whilst preparing for and undertaking your placement. Placements are an excellent opportunity for you to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned in a practical context. They are an opportunity to gain an important advantage in a competitive job market.
Study Abroad
You can study abroad for a year at a university in a different country. Currently, we have partnership agreements with universities in the US, Canada, and Sweden. We continually expand our global study opportunities. The international study year takes place between Stages 2 and 3. To join the international study you need to apply for a place and numbers are limited.
Find out more information on studying abroad. We will provide further information during your course.
Careers Placements
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world. You’ll receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You’ll gain first-hand experience working in the sector, putting your learning into practice, and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. Placements are subject to availability.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
As a psychology student at Newcastle University, you’ll be based in the School of Psychology’s Dame Margaret Barbour Building. This is located on the University’s city-centre campus.
The School of Psychology is around a ten minute walk from Newcastle city centre. It also has great access to libraries, the student union and sports centre facilities.
You’ll also have access to our excellent practical facilities in the School, such as:
- a forensic interviewing suite
- a media and behaviour lab
- medical consultation rooms
- psychological testing cubicles
You’ll also have access to the linguistics lab in the School of English Literature, Languages and Linguistics. The linguistics lab includes:
- a sociolinguistic interview suite
- a child language acquisition lab
- ultrasound tongue imaging
- state of the art recording equipment
Support
You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can help with academic and personal issues.
All first-year psychology students join a study group of approximately 10 students, led by an experienced and trained final-year student who will also act as your mentor for your first year.
Your future
Opportunities for diverse career paths
The multidisciplinary nature of this degree will result in a broad and versatile set of skills. The critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills you’ll develop will make you an attractive hire in almost any graduate job in the contemporary job market. Cognitive Sciences graduates will be well suited to work in a variety of sectors including:
- artificial Intelligence
- data science
- user experience testing or human computer interaction
- technical and educational consulting
- assistive technology
- healthcare roles in technology, mental health services or administration.
- government policy
- behavioural science or research
Many of our graduates embark on further study, including master’s degrees and PhDs. Some go on to pursue careers in academia and research.
Careers support
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| ABB excluding General Studies. GCSE Mathematics minimum Grade B or 6 required. | |
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| 32 Points. Mathematics or Mathematical Studies to offered at Standard Level grade 5 if not offered at Higher Level. | |
