There has never been a more interesting time to dive into cognitive psychology, which studies mental processes, including how people perceive, think, remember, learn, solve problems, make decisions and are influenced by their emotions. This course will provide you with a solid foundational knowledge of cognitive psychology. We will explore together what are now the key questions, methods and principles used to discover the psychological realm of human experience. By the end of the course, you will know the principles underling the nature and nurture debate; you will have a clear idea of the relationship between brain, mind and behaviour and of the major approaches to observe and study the mind-body system.
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Key Features
Course highlights
During this part-time online certificate course, you will:
- learn from an array of experts from across Cambridge and the UK
- understand the science of how we think and make decisions
- develop key academic skills that aid study, and improve future career opportunities and employability.
Cognitive scientists, neuroscientists and psychologists from across Cambridge and the UK will introduce you to cognitive psychology’s history and core themes as we explore memory, language, perception, attention and consciousness as well as executive functions, intelligence and social/emotional cognition. You will discover the most important techniques used to investigate the mind, the importance of the neuropsychological research in understanding how brain lesions can help us understand how the brain normally functions. You will develop a critical approach to methods and techniques and their importance for research questions. You will also develop research skills such as how to ideate and design an experiment; how to collect data and how to preprocess and analyse a dataset. You will also practice and refine scientific and academic writing and learn how to report original findings in the format of a scientific journal article and how to discuss data with reference to peer-reviewed literature.
As part of our learning community, you will:
- understand the history, core themes, and methods in the scientific study of the mind, brain and behaviour
- explore key questions, such as the extent to which behaviour is learned or innate and the extent to which functions in the brain are localised to specific areas
- consider how humans think, and what is meant by intelligence and social cognition
- understand the core distinctions between different memory systems
- explore the nature of language processing, with a particular focus on language deficits in different patient groups
- look at core topics in cognition, including classical models of executive function and its relation to short term memory, and social cognition.
Course breakdown
This course will run from 10 October 2025 - 10 June 2026.
Each of the 3 units explores a number of topics through asynchronous (pre-recorded) lectures and 4 day schools.
Each term's teaching usually takes place on Mondays. Exact teaching dates and times will be confirmed in the course guide upon enrolment.
Michaelmas term: History, Core Themes and Methods
- Course (unit 1) start date: Friday 10 October 2025
- Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 7 January 2026
Lent term: Memory, Language and Perception
- Unit 2 start date: Week commencing 5 January 2026
- Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 25 March 2026
Easter term: Executive Functions, Intelligence and Social Cognition
- Unit 3 start date: Week commencing 30 March 2026
- Unit 3 end date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
After the course
You may wish to continue your study of psychology by pursuing a full degree, or bring your knowledge of cognitive psychology to another related course with us, such as one of our coaching courses.
Further information
Will the Certificate in Cognitive Psychology be a good foundation if I want a Psychology degree?
Yes. If you are new to psychology this course will provide you with an understanding of the historical development of modern psychology and allow you to develop an understanding of the scientific method in its application to psychology. This will stand you in good stead to continue your studies across the range of psychological disciplines, and pursue a psychology degree.
Will the Certificate in Cognitive Psychology enable me to gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) after completing the course?
No. Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC, or GBR as it was previously known) is a standard set by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It ensures that, before anyone can start a clinical psychology course, they have already studied psychology in sufficient breadth and depth to provide a sound basis for their postgraduate training. The Certificate in Cognitive Psychology is not accredited for GBC membership, as it is not a degree; it is the equivalent of half a year’s study at first-year undergraduate level. Therefore completing the Certificate does not provide the breadth and depth of a degree.
You can find accredited courses on the BPS website.
What is the Flipped Classroom Approach?
The Flipped Classroom approach is a blended learning strategy which aims to increase student engagement with the course. Teaching and learning for the unit are delivered through a combination of formal presentations by the tutor, a range of interactive and participatory methods of teaching and learning, and through reading and tasks to be undertaken individually by students outside the unit sessions.
Entry requirements
There are no formal academic entry requirements for this course, which is open to all students with an interest in the subject area.
English language requirements
If you are applying to study an Undergraduate Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma and your first language is not English, you will need to meet the requirements of one of the language proficiency tests below:
IELTS (Academic), IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake
Overall score of 7.0, with not less than 7.0 in Speaking, Listening and Writing, and 6.5 in Reading.
TOELF iBT or TOEFL Home Edition
https://www.ets.org/toefl.html
Overall score of 100, with no element below 25.
Cambridge English C2 Proficiency
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/proficiency/
Overall score of 200, with no element lower than 185.
IT requirements
The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, through video-based teaching platforms and a dedicated course Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
You will therefore need to have access to:
- the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device
- speakers or headphones in order to hear any pre-recorded material
- a webcam and microphone for any interactive sessions which may be available
Identity Check
As part of your application you are required to provide a copy of your ID. At the beginning of the course, you will be required to attend a live zoom session, so that we can verify your identity. Please note we will not be able to issue the award if an identity check has not been completed.
As part of our open and inclusive learning environment, you can enjoy the world-class resources and expertise of the University of Cambridge wherever you are on your academic journey.
Our video-based teaching platforms offer a flexible way to access lectures, while our Virtual Learning Environment makes it easy to study and learn online and interact with your tutor and fellow students.
Our teaching methods include lectures, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, and interactive and experiential learning activities. We will also give you reading and assignments to complete outside of classroom sessions.
You will be asked to submit one assignment totalling 1,800-2,000 words for Unit 1; a formative presentation of 1,300-1,500 words and a summative assignment of 1,800-2,000 words for Unit 2; and a 1,800-2000 word assignment and a 3,000 word lab report for Unit 3. Assignments will relate to producing essays, and a document which summarises a research article. You will also produce a research report detailing your write-up of a psychological experiment conducted as part of the course, and will be required to undertake a group presentation on a particular topic studied within the course. Guidance and support will be provided for each assignment, and there are more details about how this course is assessed in the course guide we will send you once you have enrolled.
Qualifications
This course is equivalent to half of the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree. It offers 60 CATS credits, which are recognised by higher education institutions and employers.
How many hours of study are required?
Notional hours
The award of academic credit is a means of quantifying and recognising learning and within the UK, one credit notionally represents 10 hours of learning. This course attracts 60 credits, so students should expect to need to study for approximately 600 hours in total to complete all units successfully. However, it is recognised that students study at different paces and use a variety of approaches, so this is a recommendation, rather than a hard-and-fast calculation.
SEEC Credit Level Descriptors for Higher Education (2021) here.
The fee for this course is £4,100.00. You can either pay:
- in full when you enrol,
or - Your account will be set up for you to pay in 3 equal instalments: the first when you enrol, the second by 1 January, and the third and final instalment by 1 April – (standard instalment plan). The exact dates will be confirmed in your booking details.
Important: your place on the course is not secured until we receive your first payment along with any required documents, such as proof of English language proficiency.
If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay. Please note that places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis.
Help with fees
We have many sources of financial support that you can explore.
Refunds
This course will require a minimum number of students to run. In the rare event that the course is cancelled by us, due to minimum numbers not being met, or for any other reason, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid.
Disability Support
The University’s Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre Non-Matriculated Service (ADRC NMS) provides advice, guidance, and resources to University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) award-bearing undergraduate and postgraduate students who have a diagnosed disability or medical condition, including mental health conditions. The support provided can include:
- appointments with a Senior disability adviser or Neurodiversity disability adviser
- reviewing/assessing medical or diagnostic evidence
- production of a Student Support Document (SSD)
- signposting to sources of disability-related funds (Disabled Students’ Allowances [DSA], as well as other internal funds for home and international students)
- coordination of human support, such as specialist mentoring or specialist study skills
- neurodiversity screening service (Autism, Specific Learning Difficulties, ADHD)
- signposting to disability library services
- signposting to assistive technology and software support
If you would like to access support then please indicate this on your course application form and then complete the ADRC NMS online Student Information Form so they can work with you to fully support your studies. Please upload medical evidence (written in English) when prompted to within the Student Information Form. The following links to guidance on medical evidence or diagnostic evidence will help to answer any questions you may have.
If you have any questions concerning disability support then please contact the ADRC NMS team via [email protected] or view their website.
Wellbeing Support
It is important that all our learners feel safe in their learning environment and student wellbeing is our key priority. We have a dedicated Student Support team who can offer a variety of support mechanisms to those who are experiencing challenges maintaining positive mental wellbeing. The PACE Student Support Team are here to support you throughout the duration of your studies with us and can:
- meet with you via teams/zoom (camera can be off) to discuss any concerns surrounding your wellbeing, mental health, academic pressures, or welfare
- advise you on options and signpost you to appropriate sources of guidance which range from self-guided resources to wellbeing conversations
- direct you to specialist support and help concerning welfare, wellbeing, safeguarding and prevent
- in specific circumstances (where there is a clear need unmet elsewhere) provide access to counselling
- provide access to study skills resources
If you have any questions concerning learning support, then please contact us.
