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Ph. D. in Cognitive Science is a doctoral level course focused on the study of cognitive psychology and related subject fields like philosophy, anthropology, computer science, artificial intelligence, neuroscience and linguistics. The course is usually completed in 3 to 6 years.
Candidates who have completed a 2-year Master’s degree in fields like psychology, biosciences, philosophy, literature, engineering or any other relevant disciplines, are eligible to apply for the course.
Ph. D. Cognitive Science consists of interdisciplinary subject matter like cognitive psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, anthropology, biosciences and research methodology.
The course is concerned with study and research in areas like sensation, mind perception, learning processes, memory and forgetting, cognitive structuring, cognitive biases, cognitive deficits, attention and neuroinformatics.
Students also learn about the associated technology, computer applications, research techniques, data interpretation and artificial intelligence.
The average fee charged for Ph. D. Cognitive Science in Indian institutes ranges from Rs. 29,000 to 4.5 Lakhs. After completing the course, students can find jobs in areas like research and development, education, mental health therapy, private clinics, government organisations and social work. The job roles include scientific researcher, professor, lecturer, cognitive psychologist, cognitive behavioural therapist and more. The average salary offered ranges from 1.2 to 10 Lakhs.
See Also: PhD Psychology Course
PhD Cognitive Science Course Highlights
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science |
| Duration | 3 to 7 years |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree in relevant fields |
| Admission Process | Entrance Test and Personal Interview |
| Course Fee (INR) | Rs. 29k to 4.5 Lakhs |
| Average Salary (INR) | Rs.1.2 to 10 Lakhs |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Research and Development, Mental Health Therapy, Counselling, Education, NGOs, Healthcare |
| Job Positions | Research Scientist, Cognitive Psychologist, Professor, Lecturer, Clinical Psychologist |
PhD Cognitive Science Eligibility
- In order to be eligible to seek admission in Ph. D. Cognitive Science, the candidates must have completed a 2-year long Master’s degree in any of the fields - psychology, philosophy, linguistics, literature, computer science, physics, biosciences, engineering, social sciences or any other related disciplines.
- The candidates must have a 60% aggregate or 6.0/10 GPA in the qualifying degree.
PhD Cognitive Science Admission Process
The admission criteria for the course is merit-based as well as entrance-based. Eligible candidates are required to fill out the application form of the institute and submit it, along with the necessary documents.
- Merit-based: Some institutes judge only the merit of the candidates in their previous academic qualifications. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a personal interview to make the final selection.
- Entrance-based: Institutes require the candidates to appear in entrance examinations like UGC NET or the entrance exams conducted by the respective institutes. Then they have to appear in personal interviews in order to make it to the final lists of admitted candidates.
PhD Cognitive Science Entrance Exams
Institutes may conduct their own entrance tests for admissions to the course or accept the entrance exams like UGC NET, CSIR JRF and COGJET. After clearing the entrance tests, the candidates are required to appear in personal interviews to make it to the final lists.
| Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| CSIR UGC NET | July 11 – August 10, 2022 | September 16 – 18, 2022 |
| UGC NET | April 30 – May 30, 2022 | July 9 – July 12, 2022, and August 12 – August 14, 2022 |
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF | July 21 – August 19, 2022 | September 20, 2022 |
| IIT JAM | September 7 – October 14, 2022 | February 12, 2023 |
| VITMEE | April 2022 | June 2023 |
| NIPER PhD Entrance Exam | To be Announced | To be Announced |
How to Prepare for Entrance Exams?
- Make the best use of your online and offline resources for preparation. Read books, journals, watch youtube videos and read articles relevant to the exam patterns and syllabus.
- Stay updated with the syllabus and exam patterns.
- Attempt sample papers, mock tests and question papers from previous years.
- Plan well in advance how you are going to study. If you need extra help, take coaching classes.
How to Get Admission in a Good College?
- If the institute conducts merit-based admissions, maintain good academic grades.
- If the institute accepts admissions through entrance tests, prepare well for them. Plan ahead, study thoroughly and attempt sample papers and mock tests.
- Prepare well for the personal interview. Be assured in your skills and abilities.
- Apply to as many top institutes as you can, to increase the probability of getting into a good one.
PhD Cognitive Science Syllabus
Ph. D. in cognitive science covers various aspects of cognitive psychology like cognitive structuring, cognitive biases and cognitive deficits. It includes the study of research methodology and analysis techniques. The subject matter also includes concepts from other related disciplines like neuroscience, anthropology, artificial intelligence, information technology, linguistics, philosophy and other sciences.
The exact syllabus may vary from institute to institute but the basic curriculum followed has been tabulated below:
| Course Curriculum |
| Understanding Cognitive Psychology, Nervous System and Cognitive Neuroscience |
| Cognitive Biases and Cognitive Deficits |
| Neurological Development and Cognitive Change |
| Research Methodology |
| Analogy and Conceptual Systems |
| Language Development |
| Memory and Learning |
| Seminars and Field Study |
| Thesis, Project Work, Dissertation |
Ph. D. Cognitive Science Important Books
Some of the important books for PhD Cognitive Science are mentioned below:
| Name of the Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Mind: Introduction to Cognitive Science | Paul Thagard |
| Cognitive Psychology | Douglas Medin, Brian H. Ross, Arthur B. Markman |
| Thinking, Fast and Slow | Daniel Kahneman |
| Research Methods in Psychology | Wendy A. Schweigert |
| Supersizing the Mind | Andy Clark |
| Brain & Behavior: An Introduction to Biological Psychology | Bob Garret |
| Neurophilosophy: Toward a Unified Science of the Mind-brain | Patricia Churchland |
| The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience | Francisco Varela, Evan Thompson, Eleanor Rosch |
PhD Cognitive Science Top Colleges
Ph. D. in Cognitive Science is offered in various leading institutes of India like IIT Kanpur, IIIT Hyderabad, Centre of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences (University of Allahabad) and Centre of Neural and Cognitive Sciences (University of Hyderabad).
Institutes conduct entrance tests of their own and some also accept the Ph. D. entrance tests conducted nationwide.
| College Name | Location | Average Course Fee (INR) | Average Placement Package (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Kanpur | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh | Rs. 64,050 | 11.02 LPA |
| Hyderabad University | Hyderabad, Telangana | Rs. 29,770 | 9.24 LPA |
| Jadavpur University | Kolkata, West Bengal | Rs 32,000 | 19.96 LPA |
| IIT Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | Rs. 1.28 Lakhs | 8.29 LPA |
| IIT Mandi | Mandi, Himachal Pradesh | Rs. 60,200 | 13.5 LPA |
| IIIT Hyderabad | Hyderabad, Telangana | Rs. 4.5 Lakhs | 18 LPA |
College Comparison
The comparison between top colleges that provide PhD Cognitive Science are mentioned below on the basis of various parameters:
| College | IIT Kanpur | Hyderabad University | IIT Gandhinagar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | IIT Kanpur is a renowned institute that offers courses across multiple disciplines. | The University of Hyderabad offers various postgraduate and doctoral programs. It has a special department for education in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences. | IIT Gandhinagar offers holistic education through its Science and Technology programmes. |
| NIRF Ranking 2020 | 6 out of 200 (Overall) | 6 out 200 (University) | 35 out of 200 (Overall) |
| Average Fee (INR) | Rs. 64,050 | Rs. 29,770 | 1.28 Lakhs |
| Average Placement Package (INR) | 11.02 LPA | - | 8.29 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Infosys, IBM, Cognizant Technology Services, HSBC and EXL. | IBM, TCS, Mu Sigma, HSBC and Teradata | IBM Research Labs, ITC, KPIT and ISRO. |
Why Study PhD Cognitive Science?
The advantages of studying PhD Cognitive Science are mentioned below:
- This field is suited for candidates with an interest in neuroscience and cognitive psychology.
- The course will be an opportunity to learn the development of concepts in the brain, cognitive phenomenon and students will get to conduct research in domains like perception, sensation, memory, learning, decision making, consciousness and various cognitive deficits.
- After completing the course, the candidates will be eligible for reputed jobs with high paying salaries in sectors like education, research and development, mental health therapy and healthcare concerned with brain disorders.
PhD Cognitive Science Course Comparisons
Ph. D. in Cognitive Science and Ph.D. Psychology are the options one would consider after completing a Master’s degree in Psychology or other related fields.
After completing either of the two courses, the candidates can avail jobs in areas like education, research and development or start their practice as mental health professionals in private clinics or government organisations.
| Course | Ph. D. Cognitive Science | Ph.D. Psychology |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Ph. D. in Cognitive Science is concerned with the study of cognitive psychology and its related aspects such as research methodology, philosophy, linguistics, biosciences and neuroscience. | Ph. D. in Psychology imparts education about scientific research and knowledge and skills in the subfields of psychology. |
| Duration | 3 to 6 years | 3 to 4 years |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree in relevant fields | MA in Psychology or other relevant disciplines |
| Average Course Fee (INR) | Rs. 29k to 4.5 Lakhs | Rs. 2,000 to 1 Lakhs |
| Average Salary Offered (INR) | Rs.1.2 to 10 Lakhs | Rs. 1 to 12 Lakhs |
| Job Positions | Research Scientist, Cognitive Psychologist, Professor, Lecturer, Clinical Psychologist | Clinical Psychologist, Lecturer, Professor, Educational Psychologist |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Research and Development, Mental Health Therapy, Counselling, Education, NGOs, Healthcare | Private Clinics, Universities, Colleges, Healthcare Centres and Counselling Offices |
PhD Cognitive Science Scope
After completing a Ph. D. in Cognitive Science, the candidates can pursue a wide range of career options.
- They can join government funded research projects or private organisations.
- They can apply for the jobs of Professors or lecturers at public or private colleges and universities.
- If the candidates have a medical background (MBBS at the undergraduate level or MD at the postgraduate level), they can become psychiatrists.
- They can work in the healthcare sector and social work as mental health professionals.
- Candidates can work in private clinics, government institutions or start their own practice as therapists or counsellors.
PhD Cognitive Science Jobs
After completing the course students can work as research scientists, mental health professionals, educators or as medical professionals if they have a background in medicine. The jobs are available in government as well as private sectors.
Job Profiles with Description
| Job | Description | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Psychologist | Cognitive Psychologists treat patients using their knowledge of cognitive processes. They assess deficits in problem solving, learning, memory and attention, and help them cope and overcome those deficits. | 3 to 9 Lakhs |
| Psychiatrist | Psychiatrists diagnose mental disorders if they are present in a patient. They also work on treatment of the patient through therapy or prescribing medications. | 9.67 lakhs |
| Research Scientist | Research Scientists engage in conducting experiments, surveying, conducting observations, maintaining records and data interpretation. They publish papers based on their research for peer review. | 6.85 Lakhs |
| Professor | Professors teach in colleges and universities, which may be private or government. They supervise the students teaching and research and grade assignments and examinations. | 10 Lakhs |
| Mental Health Therapist | Mental health therapists work on diagnosis, treatment and recovery from mental health disorders in patients. | 1.2 Lakhs |
Salary Trends
PhD Cognitive Science FAQ
Ques: Is there an age limit for appearing in the UGC NET examination?
Ans: No, there is no age limit for appearing in the UGC NET examination.
Ques: Do institutes provide scholarships for Ph. D. Cognitive Science?
Ans: Yes, institutes provide scholarships based on merit or reservations.
Ques: Is it compulsory to have an MA in Psychology to pursue Ph. D. in Cognitive Science?
Ans: No, students with a master’s degree in any of the relevant disciplines like linguistics, philosophy, neuroscience, biosciences and engineering are eligible to apply for the course.
Ques: What is the time frame within which the JRF fellowship must be activated?
Ans: The JRF fellowship for the candidates who clear the exam can be activated within 3 years.
Ques: How does cognitive science differ from cognitive psychology?
Ans: Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Science do intersect at some points but the former is about the study of cognitive brain processes while cognitive science is concerned with the study of changes occurring in the nervous system during high level cognitive processes.
Ques: Does work experience matter in the selection of candidates for Ph. D.?
Ans: Work experience is not a necessary condition however work experience in relevant fields like research and development might prove beneficial to candidates.
Ques: Can students with a background in engineering pursue Ph. D. Cognitive Science?
Ans: Yes, institutes like IIIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur and IIT Gandhinagar admit students with a background in engineering to Ph. D. Cognitive Science.
Ques: Can a person with Ph. D. in Cognitive Science become a psychiatrist?
Ans: If the candidate has a background with a medical degree such as MBBS, then they can pursue a career in psychiatry after completing Ph. D. in Cognitive Science.
Ques: Which is the best institute for studying Cognitive Science in India?
Ans: IIT Kanpur, University of Allahabad and University of Hyderabad are among the top institutes in India that offer the course.
Ques: Can Ph. D. be completed in four years?
Ans: Yes, Ph. D. can be completed in four years if the candidates is able to present their thesis or dissertation within that time period.
![IIT Kanpur - Indian Institute of Technology - [IITK]](https://static.zollege.in/public/college_data/images/appImage/25948_IITK_New.jpg?tr=h-100,w-200,c-force)
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![IIT Gandhinagar - Indian Institute of Technology - [IITG]](https://static.zollege.in/public/college_data/images/appImage/25495_IITG_NEW.jpg?tr=h-100,w-200,c-force)
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