A major chosen after arrival
Yale says every student begins undeclared and has until the end of sophomore year to choose from over 80 majors. The pages read describe no separate application to Computer Science and Psychology.
Undergraduate · Yale College
Yale Computer Science and Psychology: computing and the mind in one major
Yale College admits students without a declared major, and Computer Science and Psychology is an interdepartmental major they can choose once enrolled. Yale's catalogue describes tools and theories from each field applied to problems in the other, with cognitive science, artificial intelligence and biological perception as examples. This guide makes no claim of a separate application to the major.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Yale says about Yale Computer Science and Psychology
Taken from the Yale College Programs of Study 2026–2027 entry for Computer Science and Psychology and Yale Undergraduate Admissions' Majors, Standardized Testing and International 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 Yale's pages for the 2028-entry details.
An interdepartmental major
Yale says the major is designed for students integrating computer science and psychology.
Fourteen courses, eight in computing
Beyond the prerequisite the major needs fourteen term courses and a senior project, eight of them in computer science.
An AP Psychology exemption
Students with a 5 on the AP Psychology test are exempt from the PSYC 1100 prerequisite.
The SAT or ACT is required
Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test; international applicants meet the same requirements.
Official sources
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: Majors & Academic Programsadmissions.yale.edu
- Yale College Programs of Study 2026–2027: Computer Science and Psychologycatalog.yale.edu
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: Standardized Testingadmissions.yale.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Yale College Programs of Study 2026–2027 entry for Computer Science and Psychology and Yale Undergraduate Admissions' Majors, Standardized Testing and International pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Yale's department website, the course listings behind each course code, deadlines and financial aid were not read, and the admissions pages do not mention A-levels or the IB by name and are not stated.
The major
What the catalogue says the major is
Yale's catalogue says the major integrates computer science and psychology, each providing tools and theories for problems in the other, with cognitive science, artificial intelligence and biological perception as examples. Eight of the fourteen required courses are in computer science, including three advanced artificial intelligence courses, and the remaining six are in psychology, with statistics, research methods and courses from both social science and natural science points of view. A senior project completes the major. This guide does not list individual courses.
Is it the right major?
Computer Science and Psychology beside Cognitive Science and single majors
Yale describes these as separate majors, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
This major fits if
you want a heavy computer science core with psychology as an equal partner.
Cognitive Science fits if
you want a wider mix of linguistics, philosophy and neuroscience. Avandy's Yale Cognitive Science guide covers it.
Computer Science and Economics fits if
your second field is economics. Avandy's Yale Computer Science and Economics guide covers it.
Admission and testing
A Yale College application and the SAT or ACT
Yale requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores and has no preference between them. International applicants complete the same application with the same requirements, and the admissions pages read do not mention A-levels or the IB by name. The major is chosen after admission, not applied for separately. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Yale's.
Do you want more computer science than psychology?
Eight of the fourteen courses are in computer science.
Is artificial intelligence part of your goal?
Three advanced artificial intelligence courses are required.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Yale requires one of them for first-year applicants.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Yale'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 Yale'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. Yale 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 Yale for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Computer Science and Psychology entry in Yale's Programs of Study 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 Yale College 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 Yale College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Yale Computer Science and Psychology?
The pages read describe admission to Yale College. Students begin undeclared and choose a major by the end of sophomore year.
Do I need AP Psychology?
No. The catalogue says students who scored 5 on the AP Psychology test are exempt from the PSYC 1100 prerequisite, so others take it.
How is it different from Cognitive Science?
Yale lists them as separate majors; Cognitive Science draws on six fields, while this major pairs two.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Yes. Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test.
Does Yale name A-levels or the IB on these pages?
No. The admissions pages read do not mention them by name.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Yale's wording with no entry-year label. Check Yale's pages again when Yale publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Yale Computer Science and Psychology
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics, how they weigh psychology against pure computer science 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.