Cognitive Science

Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Cognitive Science

BA

At a Glance


Offered by

Liberal Arts & Professional Studies


Offered at

Keele Campus


Degrees offered

BA


Ways to study

Full-Time, Part-Time


Entry

  • Fall - Yes (first and upper year)
  • Winter - Yes (first and upper year)
  • Summer - Yes (first and upper year)

Applied Learning Opportunities


OUAC Code

  • YBJ (BA)

About the Program

Cognitive science is the scientific study of the mind and its processes: how humans, other animals, and possibly machines experience, feel, think, learn, remember, make decisions, act and communicate with each other. In this program, you’ll study topics like perception, decision-making, language and artificial intelligence, while combining ideas from psychology, neuroscience, computer science and philosophy. You can shape your studies by focusing on areas that interest you, from human behaviour to technology and machine learning. If you’re curious about how people and systems process information, this program helps you build analytical and problem-solving skills that apply to many fields. 

Requirements

BA

Requirements for admission:
  • Alberta High School Diploma
  • ELA30-1 or English 30
  • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

      BA

      Requirements for admission:
    • British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma
    • English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
    • And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects
      • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

        BA

        Requirements for admission:
      • BaccalaurĂ©at GĂ©nĂ©ral
          • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
          • A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the BaccalaurĂ©at GĂ©nĂ©ral. Please click , then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

          BA

          Requirements for admission:
        • Successful completion of the final year of senior studies
          • Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
          • Some programs require a higher GPA.
            • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

            BA

            Requirements for admission:
          • Diploma with a total of at least six units, including prerequisites, and grades of 1, 2 or 3 in each unit.
              • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
              • CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click , then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

              BA

              Requirements for admission:
            • One year of CEGEP
            • 2 semesters of English (code 603) / Français (code 601)
            • And ten additional academic courses (high-school equivalent courses not accepted)
                • Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
                To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                BA

                Requirements for admission:
              • Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate
                  • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                  BA

                  Requirements for admission:
                • Lise Diplomasi
                    • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                    BA

                    Requirements for admission:
                  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examinations
                      • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                      • GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click , then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
                      To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
                      The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.

                      BA

                      Requirements for admission:
                    • Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
                        • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                        BA

                        Requirements for admission:
                      • International Baccalaureate Diploma
                        • IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
                          • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                          • Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click , then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
                          To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
                          The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.

                          BA

                          Requirements for admission:
                        • Completion of one of the following:
                          • All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
                          • Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
                          • Indian School Certificate (ISC)
                          • Intermediate Examination Certificate
                          • Pre-University Examination Certificate
                            • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                            BA

                            Requirements for admission:
                          • Manitoba High School Diploma
                          • English 40S
                          • And four additional 40S level academic subjects (no more than one at the 40G level)
                            • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                              BA

                              Requirements for admission:
                            • New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma
                            • English 120, 121 or 122
                            • And five additional Grade 12 academic subjects (college preparatory 120, 121 or 122)
                              • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                BA

                                Requirements for admission:
                              • Newfoundland and Labrador High School Graduation Diploma
                              • English 3201
                              • And nine additional credits at the 3000 level
                                • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                  BA

                                  Requirements for admission:
                                • Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma
                                • English 12
                                • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (university preparatory academic or advanced)
                                  • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                    BA

                                    Requirements for admission:
                                  • Nunavut High School Graduation Diploma
                                  • ELA30-1 or English 30
                                  • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
                                    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                      BA

                                      Requirements for admission:
                                    • Northwest Territories High School Graduation Diploma
                                    • ELA30-1 or English 30
                                    • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
                                      • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                        BA

                                        Requirements for admission:
                                      • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
                                      • ENG4U
                                      • And five additional 4U or M courses
                                        • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.
                                          OUAC code YBJ

                                          BA

                                          Requirements for admission:
                                        • Completion of a diploma program or at least two full semesters or one year of full-time academic study at an accredited college
                                        • Overall average of 3.0 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                        • BA

                                          To be considered a mature student, you must:
                                        • be at least 21 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;
                                        • have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and
                                        • have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.
                                        • BA

                                          Requirements for admission:
                                        • Completion of at least four full-year courses or one year of full-time degree studies at an accredited university
                                        • Overall average of 2.3 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                        • BA

                                          Requirements for admission:
                                        • Prince Edward Island Senior Secondary School Diploma
                                        • English 621
                                        • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (numbered 611 or 621)
                                          • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                            BA

                                            Requirements for admission:
                                          • Quebec Grade 12 Certificate of Graduation
                                          • Grade 12 English
                                          • And five additional academic (university preparation level) subjects
                                            • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                              BA

                                              Requirements for admission:
                                            • Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
                                            • English Language Arts 30 or English Language Arts A 30 or English Language Arts B 30
                                            • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects numbered 30
                                              • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                BA

                                                Requirements for admission:
                                              • General Secondary Education Certificate
                                                  • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                                  BA

                                                  Requirements for admission:
                                                • High School Diploma
                                                    • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                                                    • AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click , then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

                                                    BA

                                                    Requirements for admission:
                                                  • West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO)
                                                      • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                                      BA

                                                      Requirements for admission:
                                                    • British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma
                                                    • English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
                                                    • And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects
                                                      • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                        Start Your Application

                                                        • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
                                                        • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
                                                        • Fall 2027 (September) entry - January 15, 2027
                                                        • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
                                                        • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
                                                        • Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027
                                                        • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
                                                        • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
                                                        • Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027
                                                        • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
                                                        • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
                                                        • Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027

                                                        Applied Learning Opportunities

                                                        Cognitive Science provides opportunities to learn directly from leading researchers through the Cognitive Science Speaker Series and specialized workshops. You can deepen your learning through independent research or by completing a senior thesis on a topic of your choice. These experiences help you build strong analytical, research and communication skills while applying theory to real-world questions about the mind and behaviour. Through experiential learning across your courses and through optional paid co-op, you’ll develop practical skills, gain research experience and graduate well prepared for careers or further study in diverse fields. 

                                                        Recent grad Nawshin chats with us about her experience with the Career Centre and how she secured a full-time role within two months of graduating.

                                                        Potential Career Paths

                                                        • neuroscientist
                                                        • data scientist
                                                        • ux designer
                                                        • speech and language pathologist
                                                        • mental health worker
                                                        • occupational therapist
                                                        • research analyst
                                                        Request more information