Understand minds of all kinds
Cognitive Science explores big ideas like how brains produce intelligent behaviour, whether minds develop differently depending on culture, how language shapes thoughts, and how neurodiversity affects perspectives.
Learn about minds in all forms—including human, animal and artificial intelligence. You’ll consider important questions like how the mind works, how humans interact with AI, if technology could augment human capabilities, and whether Chat GPT can ever be conscious.
Cognitive Science is multidisciplinary. As well as specifically designed psychology courses, you’ll take courses from artificial Intelligence, philosophy, and linguistics.
Undergraduate degrees
Flexible, or structured? Learn more about the different types of undergraduate degrees at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Choose your study path
You can only study Cognitive Science as a second major, as part of a double major. Cognitive Science combines well with a number of different majors from psychology, arts, and science.
Focus on Psychology
If you’d like to include Cognitive Science in your Bachelor of Psychology degree, you’ll take it alongside the required psychology major—Psychological Science.
If you're interested in other Science or Arts subjects
You can also choose Cognitive Science as a second major in one of our flexible undergraduate degrees. Cognitive Science pairs well with:
- Computer Science or Artificial Intelligence, in the Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Linguistics or Philosophy, in the Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Cognitive Science as a minor subject
You can also take Cognitive Science courses as a minor subject in most of our Bachelor's degrees.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Study options
Find out how you can study Cognitive Science at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
Cognitive scientists work in fields like:
- research, including psychology, or cognitive and behavioural neuroscience
- technology, including human-computer interaction, user experience design, and artificial intelligence
- education, linguistics, and philosophy
- data science.
There are cognitive scientists working at Google, Microsoft, Soul Machines, and many robotics firms. There are also many roles for cognitive scientists in healthcare and government.
More career information
Find out more about careers in Cognitive Science.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have first-year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
TeachNZ scholarships
TeachNZ offers scholarships if you enrol in an approved undergraduate or graduate teaching course.
Scholarships for Cognitive Science
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Cognitive Science
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate study
Depending on the courses you combine with Cognitive Science, this major could lead to postgraduate study in:
- Psychology
- Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience
- Linguistics
- Artificial Intelligence
- Human Computer Interaction
- User Experience Design
If you are considering postgraduate study, make sure you find out what grades you’ll need to be able to apply. You’ll also need to plan your courses to make sure you have completed any that are required for entry to the qualification you’re interested in.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you're facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.