What is Cognitive Psychology: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope

Updated on Apr 24, 2024 05:40 IST

Cognitive Psychology is a sub field in psychology. Cognitive Psychology is covered as one of the main subjects in curriculum of Psychology course.

Cognitive Psychology is concerned with the way people process thoughts. It is concerned with how people’s thoughts are influenced by their emotional construct, analytical skills and imaginative abilities.

Candidates who have completed 12th standard can enroll themselves in Cognitive Psychology UG courses such as BA in Psychology and BSc Psychology. After completing their graduation, candidates can go for further studies by pursuing courses such as MA in Psychology, MSc in Psychology, MPhil in Psychology and PhD in Psychology. The Cognitive Psychology course fee ranges from INR 1.7 Lakh – INR 2.48 Lakh.

Candidates can enroll themselves in Cognitive Psychology courses either on the basis of merit or based on their performance in entrance exams. Some of the

Top Cognitive Psychology colleges such as Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Amity University and Alagappa University provide admission in various Cognitive psychology courses at different academic levels.

The candidates who have completed Cognitive Psychology course can work in various job profiles such as Cognitive Psychologist, School Counsellor, Researcher and Assistant Professor.

 

Latest Updates for Cognitive Psychology Course:

Cognitive Psychology Highlights 2024

Candidates can find below some important highlights of Cognitive Psychology such as courses, eligibility, course duration, entrance exams, fee range, top colleges and job scope.

Particulars

Details

Domain – Sub Field

Psychology - Cognitive Psychology

Courses

Eligibility

  • UG: completed Class 12
  • PG: bachelor’s degree holder
  • PhD: master’s degree holder

Duration

  • UG: 3 years
  • PG: 2 years
  • PhD: 3-7 years

Fee Range

INR 1.7 Lakh – INR 2.48 Lakh

Top Colleges

Salary

INR 3.7 LPA

Job Scope

Cognitive Psychologist, School Counsellor, Research, Teacher

Entrance Exams

Top Recruiting Sectors

NGOs, Educational Institutions, Healthcare organisations, Research and Development Departments in various organisations

Cognitive Psychology Entrance Exams 2024

Given below are some of the Cognitive Psychology entrance exams through which candidates can secure admission in Cognitive Psychology courses:

Cognitive Psychology Entrance Exams

Cognitive Psychology Exam Dates

Cognitive Psychology Exam Schedule

Common University Entrance Test (CUET)

15 May '24 - 31 May '24

CUET Schedule

 

 

 

National Test For Programs After Twelfth (NPAT)

01 Jan '24 - 25 May '24

NPAT Schedule

Presidency University Master Degree Entrance Test (PUMDET)

28 Jul '24

PUMDET Schedule

Central University Entrance Test- Postgraduate (CUET PG)

Mar '25 (Tentative)

CUET PG

University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET)

10 Jun '24

UGC NET

Cognitive Psychology Eligibility Criteria

Candidates can refer to the table below to check the eligibility criteria for each course level:

Course Level

Eligibility Criteria

Cognitive Psychology UG

Completed class 12

with minimum 50% marks

Cognitive Psychology PG

Graduate

with minimum 50% marks

Cognitive Psychology PhD

Master’s degree holder
with minimum 50% marks

Cognitive Psychology Certification

Usually, there is no specific criteria for certification courses.

Cognitive Psychology Syllabus

Candidates can refer to the table below to get to know about the Cognitive Psychology subjects:

Cognitive Psychology Syllabus

Philosophical antecedents

Emergence of

Cognitive psychology

Organization of Nervous system

Memory

Representations and manipulation of Knowledge

Images

and Propositions

Language: Nature and Acquisition

Problem-solving and Creativity

Decision-making and reasoning

Human and artificial intelligence

Cognitive Psychology Course in IIT

The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi provides a course in Cognitive Psychology.It is a theoretical as well as application based course. The course helps students in gaining conceptual understanding of Cognitive Psychology. It also focusses on providing solutions to problems associated with cognition.

Given below are some important details about Cognitive Psychology course in IIT:

Particulars

Details

Course Name

Cognitive Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Offered By

IIT Delhi

Top Colleges for Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive Psychology Courses are offered in several government and private colleges in India. The candidates must note that Cognitive Psychology is studied as a major subject in Psychology and is not a course in itself.

Top Cognitive Psychology Colleges

Given below are some colleges that provide Cognitive Psychology Courses along with their respective total tuition fee:

Cognitive Psychology Colleges

Cognitive Psychology College Fees (in INR)

 

Alagappa University

7,500 – 2.8 Lakh

Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences

1.7 Lakh - 2.32 Lakh

Jagran Lakecity University

60,000 – 5 Lakh

As Cognitive Psychology is a branch of Psychology candidates can also refer to the list of psychology colleges in India.

Top Psychology Government Colleges

Given below are some of the government colleges that provide Psychology courses along with the total tuition fee for the course:

Psychology Government Colleges

Psychology Government College Fees (in INR)

Banaras Hindu University

10,230 – 10,930

Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi

40,460 - 1.03 Lakh

Gargi College, University of Delhi

24,160 – 51,670

Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi

432 - 540

Kishinchand Chellaram College, Mumbai

78,000

Top Psychology Private Colleges

Given below are some of the private colleges that provide Psychology courses along with the total tuition fee for the course:

Psychology Private Colleges

Psychology Private College Fees (in INR)

Amity University, Noida

1.41 Lakh - 13.2 Lakh

Christ University, Bangalore

2 Lakh - 3.6 Lakh

Kristu Jayanti College, Mumbai

1.8 Lakh - 2.4 Lakh

Mithibai College of Arts, Mumbai

96,720

Mount Carmel College, Bangalore

1.29 Lakh - 3.28 Lakh

Cognitive Psychology Courses Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters

Studying Cognitive Psychology opens the doors of opportunities to careers in medical, educational and research-based sectors. The candidates must note that the salaries mentioned below may change depending of the company, location and specific job profile.

Cognitive Psychology Job Profiles

Given below are some Cognitive Psychology job profiles along with their respective yearly salaries:

Job Profile

Average Annual Salary

Cognitive Psychologist

3.7 LPA

School Counsellor

4 LPA

Researcher

7.7 LPA

Psychology Teacher

3.6 LPA

Assistant Psychology Professor

5 LPA

Cognitive Psychology Courses Top Recruiters

The candidates can refer to the table below to get to know the names of the top sectors that recruit Cognitive Psychology students:

Cognitive Psychology Courses Top Recruiting Sectors

NGOs

Educational Institutions

Healthcare organisations

Research and Development Departments in various organisations

Cognitive Psychology Course 2024: FAQs

Q. What are some good books on cognitive psychology?

A. Candidates can refer to the table below to have a look at the famous Cognitive Psychology books along with their respective authors:

Cognitive Psychology Books

Authors

Cognitive Psychology

Robert J. Sternberg

Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond

Judith S. Beck

Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience

E. Bruce Goldstei

A cognitive theory of consciousness

Baars, B.J. 

Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind

Michael S. Gazzaniga

Mindware: An introduction to the philosophy of cognitive science.[

Clark, A.

Cognitive Psychology: A Student's Handbook

Michael W. Eysenck

Q. What is the difference and similarities between Cognitive Psychology and Humanistic Psychology?

A. Both Cognitive Psychology and Humanistic Psychology are fields lay major focus on individuals over groups. 
The candidates can refer to the table below to understand the difference between Cognitive Psychology and Humanistic Psychology:

Cognitive Psychology

 Humanistic Psychology

Its major are of concern is on the way a person thinks, perceives information and finds solutions to problems.

Its major concern is on the different qualities that are unique to human beings.

Experimental processes are used for studying.

Methods of qualitative research are used are studying

Lays more emphasis on mental processes.

Lays more emphasis on human processes.

Q. What is the difference between Cognitive Psychology and Behaviorism?

A. Candidates can refer to the table below to understand the difference between Cognitive Psychology and Behaviorism:

Cognitive Psychology

Behaviorism

It says that human possesses the ability to assess and approach different types of information in his/her mind

It says that human behavior is impacted by one’s life experiences and outcome of actions.

It explains how patterns of behavior are determined by mental processes.

It explains the association of every behavior is determined by external catalysts.

The involvement of self-introspection is accepted.

The involvement of self-introspection is not accepted.

Q. What is cognitive psychology?

A. Cognition is an action performed mentally. Psychology is involved with the study of human behaviour. It comes under the domain of Humanities & Social Sciences. It focuses on memory, analytical abilities, observational skills. Cognitive Psychology aids in treating patients with mental illnesses.

Q. Is Cognitive Psychology difficult?

A. Cognitive Psychology course is neither an easy nor a difficult one. Students can get information from online sources and books, videos, and blogs. Students can choose their subject as per their preference.

Q. Can one pursue Cognitive Psychology course without studying Medicine or Neuroscience?

A. Yes, you can pursue a Cognitive Psychology course without any study but Class 12 marks is important. Moreover, you can pursue this course after UG from any course. 
Source: external site and vary .

Q. Can I become a self-taught Cognitive Psychologist?

A. No. You need to have a degree. Have required skills and experience. You can pursue courses in Cognitive Psychology. Online certificates are of great help.  Building connections and networks can help.

Q. How can one study Cognitive Psychology without any background knowledge?

A. Candidates from all academic backgrounds are eligible to apply for Cognitive Psychology programmes at various course levels in India. However, in order to excel in a Cognitive Psychology course, candidates can gain some pre-required knowledge by following through the steps given below:

Going through school level books on Psychology. These books are beginner-friendly and can introduce the candidate to basic concepts related to Cognitive Psychology.

Reading self-help books on Cognitive Psychology

Learning through online content. The candidates are recommended look for the authenticity of the course before learning through online videos, blogs or forms of online content.

Q. What are important concepts and theories in Cognitive Psychology?

A. Cognitive Psychology course teaches concepts like Reasoning, Decision making, Learning and Concept Formation. Main theories also include Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory, Information Process Theory and Piaget's Development Theory.

Q. What are some of the applications of Cognitive Psychology?

Cognitive Psychology has many applications. It is used in different fields. Want to know some? Refer to the table below:

Field

Education:

Healthcare:

Artificial Intelligence:

Business and Marketing:

Law and Justice:

Table of contents
  • Popular Cognitive Psychology Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Cognitive Psychology Colleges in India
  • Popular Cognitive Psychology PG Courses
  • Popular Exams

Popular Cognitive Psychology Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Cognitive Psychology Colleges in India. Learn more about these Cognitive Psychology colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
2.64 L
4.0

Cognitive Psychology Applications open. Apply Now

1 Course
3.37 L
1.62 L
4.5 K - 4.9 K

Popular Private Cognitive Psychology Colleges in India

2.64 L
4.0

Cognitive Psychology Applications open. Apply Now

1 Course
3.37 L
1.62 L
4.5 K - 4.9 K

Popular Cognitive Psychology PG Courses

Following are the most popular Cognitive Psychology PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Cognitive Psychology. Students interested in pursuing a career on Cognitive Psychology, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Jun '26

CPGET 2026 Notification

TENTATIVE

Jun '26

CPGET 2026 Registration

TENTATIVE

Mar '26

CUET 2026 Application Process

TENTATIVE

May '26 - Jun '26

CUET 2026 Exam

TENTATIVE

Nov '25

SAT Registration Deadline for November Test

TENTATIVE

Mar '26

PUBDET 2026 Applications

TENTATIVE

10 Sep ' 25

PUBDET 2025 2nd Round Seat Allotment

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