Cognitive and Decision Sciences MSc

UCL (University College London)

The Cognitive and Decision Sciences MSc studies the cognitive processes and representations underlying human thought, knowledge and decision-making. It integrates a wide range of disciplines and methodologies, with the core assumption that human cognition and choice are computational processes, implemented in neural hardware. You will study at one of the world's best universities - UCL is ranked 9th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) and our research is pioneering. UCL is ranked first for research power in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience by the UK’s most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), with more than two thirds of our research in these areas rated as world-leading (4*). Key topics in this course include the nature of computational explanation the general principles of cognition the scope of rational choice explanation probabilistic models of the mind learning and memory and applications to economics and business. The programme involves training in experimental design and methodology, building computational models and undertaking original research. This course will appeal to outstanding students interested in pursuing a research career in the cognitive and decision sciences, or to those wishing to develop an understanding of core theoretical principles of human thought to tackle applied problems in a range of areas including marketing, finance, and public policy.

Brain Sciences