Program Admission

Please note that Cognitive Science is not a direct entry program after high school. Students interested in the Cognitive Science program must already be a student in the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto St George campus. 

For more information about admission into the University of Toronto, please visit:

• https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/ 
• https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/future/ready-apply/admission-requirements 

Cognitive Science is a limited-enrolment undergraduate program that admits a limited number of students each year. Students typically enter the Cognitive Science program in their second year of study. Admission is competitive, and students must apply via ACORN while meeting the following requirements:  

Applicants must: 

• Be enrolled in the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto, St. George campus. 
• Have completed at least 4.0 FCEs (Full Course Equivalents). 
• Have completed at least one of the program pathways listed below. 

Program Pathways: 

1. COG250Y1 
2. 1.5 FCEs (Full course equivalents) from at least 2 different home disciplines 

• Computer Science (CSC) 
• Linguistics (LIN) 
• Philosophy (PHL) 
• Psychology (PSY) 
• You cannot take all 1.5 FCEs from the same discipline  
• You may take no more than 1.0 FCEs from the same discipline  
• Courses from any level (100-400 may be used) 
• The course code must include CSC, LIN, PHL, or PSY 
• Examples: 
• Sufficient: PSY100H1 + PHL100Y1 (two disciplines, 1.5 FCE total) 
• Insufficient: PSY100H1 + PSY201H1 + PSY305H1 (only one discipline) 

Minimum Average for Cognitive Science Admission 

• The minimum grade average is calculated by either: 
• 1) Pathway 1: your grade in COG250Y1 or  
• 2) Pathway 2: the average of all your grades from your 1.5 FCE grades (CSC, LIN, PSY, PHL) 
• Applicants with an average below 70% will not be considered. 
• Meeting the 70% minimum does not guarantee acceptance. 
• The actual average required changes each year based on the applicant pool and available spaces. We cannot predict who will be applying each year. 
• For a stronger chance of admission, aim for an average above a 70% average in at least one of the program pathways for admission. 

Planning program pathways: 

Students transferring from Scarborough Campus (UTSC) and Mississauga Campus (UTM) are encouraged to reach out to the Cognitive Science program via email to inform them that they are transferring.  

Enrolment instructions 

• Review the program enrolment requirements. Ensure that you are eligible.  
• For the most up to date course listings, check the Arts and Science Calendar: https://artsci.calendar.utoronto.ca/  
• Enrol on ACORN during the A&S Enrolment period 
• Check your results and respond to your admission decision within the enrolment time period 

Admissions timeline

There are 2 rounds for program enrolment. For information on the process and the most up to date timeline, please visit:  https://sidneysmithcommons.artsci.utoronto.ca/program/apply-for-programs/  

Please be sure to apply for program admission during the First round to gain priority enrolment in Cognitive Science when course enrolment begins. 

Eligibility & Requirements 

Q. I’m a student at UTM or UTSC. Can I apply? 
A. No. You must be a UTSG (St. George) student. If you wish to transfer campuses, contact your registrar’s office: 

• Arts & Science website 
• Admission requirements 

Q. Am I allowed to apply even if I’m not a University College student? 
A. Yes. The program is housed outside of University College; however, students are welcome to apply from any of the seven colleges from the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto St George. This will not hinder or impact your chances of program admission.  

Q. Will transfer credits be accepted for admission? 
A. Transfer credits must first be assessed by the University of Toronto. For questions about including transfer credits in your admission assessment, email cognitive.science@utoronto.ca. 

Q. What is the minimum average to get into Cognitive Science? 
A. We do not disclose the exact average required, as it varies yearly with the applicant pool. Applicants with an average below 70% in the required courses will not be considered. Meeting the 70% threshold does not guarantee admission. 

Q. Is it hard to get into the program? 
A. Yes. This is a competitive, limited-enrolment program. 

Application Process 

Q. Are there advantages to applying in Round 1 over Round 2? 
A. Yes. There is less space available in Round 2 because offers are made and accepted in Round 1. We recommend applying in Round 1. 

Q. Can I reapply in Round 2 if I’m not admitted in Round 1? 
A. Yes. We recommend applying with new academic history (e.g., taking relevant May–June summer courses) so your eligibility can be reassessed. 

Q. Is there a supplemental application to apply?  
No. We only review your grades based on the admission criteria. We do not accept resumes, CVs or other application material. 

Streams 

Q. Can I apply to multiple Cognitive Science streams? 
A. Yes. You can apply to all streams—this will not reduce your chances of admission. 

Q. Can I be enrolled in multiple streams? 
A. Yes. You may be enrolled in one Arts (ASMAJ1445A, ASMAJ1445B, ASMAJ1445C) and one Science stream (ASMAJ1446A, ASMAJ1446B).

Q. How do I know which stream is best for me? 
A. Review the program completion requirements for each stream and explore course descriptions. Instructors are subject to change, but you may email professors to request a syllabus. 

Q. Can I switch/transfer streams once I’m enrolled? 
A. No. To change streams, you must reapply to the program during the next admission cycle. Admission is not guaranteed, as each year’s applicant pool is different. 

Q. Is one stream more competitive than another? 
A. No. The same admission criteria apply to all streams. 

Q. How many spots are available in each stream? 
A. We do not disclose this information.