A concentration chosen in the Open Curriculum
Brown says undergraduates sample courses before choosing one of 80-plus concentrations, and there is no required core.
Undergraduate · Brown University
Brown Cognitive Science: the study of the mind in the Open Curriculum
Brown has no set of core courses that every student must complete, and most undergraduates sample subjects before choosing one of 80-plus concentrations. Cognitive Science is one of them: the Bulletin calls it the interdisciplinary study of the mind and lets students lean towards behavioural experiments or computational modelling. For an A-level or IB applicant, the useful questions are how it differs from Brown's Computational Biology and neuroscience-related concentrations and what Brown says about testing. This guide makes no claim of a separate application to the concentration.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Brown says about Brown Cognitive Science
Taken from the Brown Bulletin entry for the Cognitive Science concentration and Brown's Open Curriculum, Standardized Tests and international Admission Criteria pages, read on 1 November 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Brown's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Behavioural or computational emphasis
The Bulletin says students can focus on behavioural experimentation or computational modelling through their choice of core classes.
Computation is expected
Every cognitive science student is expected to be familiar with computation and programming.
A.B. or Sc.B.
The Sc.B. adds five STEM classes to the A.B. requirements. The Bulletin lists 12 credits.
The SAT or ACT is required
Brown requires scores for first-year applicants and sets no minimum score; international applicants should plan to sit A levels or the IB and submit predicted or actual scores.
Official sources
- Brown University: Open Curriculumbrown.edu
- Brown Bulletin: Cognitive Science concentrationbulletin.brown.edu
- Brown Undergraduate Admission: Standardized Testsadmission.brown.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Brown Bulletin entry for the Cognitive Science concentration and Brown's Open Curriculum, Standardized Tests and international Admission Criteria pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Brown's department website, the course descriptions, the prior requirements for earlier cohorts, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The concentration
What the Bulletin says Cognitive Science is
The Bulletin says research in cognitive science uses behavioural experimentation, computational modelling and brain imaging to study mental representations and processes, and that the field integrates psychology with computer science, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, anthropology and sociology. The structure is a common core of statistics and research methods, foundation courses (three in psychology and one outside it, plus computation), four electives and a capstone. The Bulletin says these requirements are new ones approved for Fall 2024. This guide does not list individual courses.
Is it the right concentration?
Cognitive Science beside neighbouring Brown concentrations
Brown lists these concentrations separately, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Cognitive Science fits if
you want psychology, computing, language and philosophy brought together on one question about the mind.
Cognitive Neuroscience fits if
your interest is how neural mechanisms give rise to behaviour. The Bulletin lists it as its own concentration.
Computational Biology fits if
you want computation applied to biological data. Avandy's Brown Computational Biology guide covers it.
Admission and testing
A Brown application, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Brown has returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants and says there are no minimum scores. International applicants should plan to sit national and international examinations such as the GCE A-levels and the IB and submit predicted or actual scores, with actual scores expected before matriculation. Cognitive Science is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Brown's.
Do you lean towards experiments or models?
The Bulletin says students can focus on behavioural experimentation or computational modelling.
Are you comfortable with a self-directed curriculum?
Brown says students develop a personalised course of study.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Brown requires one of them for first-year applicants.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Brown's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Brown's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 1 November 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Brown has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Brown for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Cognitive Science entry in the Brown Bulletin and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Brown University or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Brown University. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Brown Cognitive Science?
The pages read describe admission to Brown. Students develop a personalised course of study and choose a concentration in the Open Curriculum.
Is there an A.B. and a Sc.B.?
Yes. The Bulletin lists requirements for both, and the Sc.B. adds five STEM classes to the A.B. requirements.
Is programming expected?
The Bulletin says all cognitive science students need to be familiar with computation and programming.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Brown says it has returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants, with no minimum score.
Do A levels and the IB count?
Brown tells international applicants to plan to sit examinations such as the GCE A-levels and the IB and submit predicted or actual scores.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Brown's wording with no entry-year label. Check Brown's pages again when Brown publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Brown Cognitive Science
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics and sciences, how they weigh psychology against computing and neuroscience and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.