Application Instructions | Cognitive Systems Program

Important Dates

Applications for September 2026 entry into COGS B.A. programs will open on February 15, 2026. You must meet the admission requirements and apply by 11:59PM (Pacific Time) May 15th, 2026. 

If you are accepted into the program for September entry, you will be notified by email no later than  June 15. You will be asked whether or not you accept the offer of admission into your chosen Cognitive Systems specialization – a deadline to confirm acceptance will be specified in your email. We will not be able to certify you as a Cognitive Systems major until your reply is received. Please make sure to check and respond to your offer email. Students not admitted to the program will also be notified by email.

How will my application be evaluated?

Learn more here: Application Evaluation.

Application Pathways

Remember:

B.Sc. students declaring a major for the first time (including transfer students) will do so via the Faculty of Science’s coordinated application process.
B.Sc. students switching from another major into the B.Sc. Computational Intelligence and Design stream of COGS will apply through the Computer Science Department.
B.Sc. students switching from another major into the B.Sc. Cognition and Brain stream of COGS will apply using the online application form on the COGS website.
B.A. students (declaring a major for the first time OR switching from another major into COGS) will apply using the online application form on the COGS website.

Before proceeding, please confirm that you are following the correct application pathway by completing the self-assessment below:

I am a...
- UBC Bachelor of Arts student going into year 2 or 3 in September and do not have a major declared yet. I wish to declare one of the three B.A. COGS streams
- UBC Bachelor of Arts student going into year 3 or 4 in September. I already have a major declared and I wish to switch into one of the three B.A. COGS streams
- student transferring into UBC Arts (from a different Faculty or post-secondary institution) for September, and I wish to declare one of the three B.A. COGS streams
- UBC BSc student with a major declared already. I wish to switch into the BSc Cognition and Brain stream
- UBC BSc student going into year 2 in September and do not have a major declared yet. I wish to declare one of the two B.Sc. COGS streams
- student transferring into UBC Science (from a different Faculty or post-secondary institution) for September, and I wish to declare one of the two B.Sc. COGS streams
- UBC BSc student with a major declared already. I wish to switch into the BSc Computational Intelligence and Design stream
- second degree student. I have an undergraduate degree (e.g. Bachelor's) from UBC or elsewhere already.
Apply directly via the COGS website by May 15:
Please ensure you have fulfilled the admission requirements before applying. The admission requirements and application steps can be found in the application instructions.

Application Instructions
Apply directly via the COGS website by May 15 as an internal transfer student:
Please ensure you have fulfilled the admission requirements before applying. The admission requirements and application steps can be found in the application instructions.

Application Instructions
Apply directly via the COGS website by May 15:
Please ensure you have fulfilled the admission requirements before applying. The admission requirements and application steps can be found in the application instructions.

Application Instructions

If you are a transfer student from a different post-secondary institution, please contact the COGS Program Coordinator to double check your COGS admission requirements and COGS application timing.
Apply directly via the COGS website by May 15 as an internal transfer student:
Please ensure you have fulfilled the admission requirements before applying. The admission requirements and application steps can be found in the application instructions.

Application Instructions
Apply via the Faculty of Science's Second Year Application in June:
The application procedure for the Cognitive Systems B.Sc. specializations is coordinated by the Faculty of Science, through a central online application process. B.Sc. students who are entering second year will receive an e-mail regarding this process in late May or early June, but are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the application process and specialization prerequisites during their first year.

Second Year Application
Apply via the Faculty of Science's Second Year Application in June:
The application procedure for the Cognitive Systems B.Sc. specializations is coordinated by the Faculty of Science, through a central online application process. Even if you are transferring into the Faculty of Science at a higher year standing than second year (e.g. third year), you will declare your major alongside B.Sc. students who are entering second year in September.

Second Year Application
Apply directly through Computer Science:
Admissions to the Computational Intelligence and Design stream of COGS are handled by the Computer Science Department. If you are a B.Sc. student who is looking to switch into the B.Sc. Computational Intelligence and Design stream, please contact the Computer Science Department directly.

Computer Science Advising
If you are a second degree student, please contact the COGS Program Coordinator to double check your COGS admission requirements and COGS application timing.

Application Steps

Confirm (using the self-assessment above) that you are following the correct application pathway. Remember – the application form below is for:
1. B.A. students declaring a major for the first time
2. B.A. students with a major declared already, hoping to switch into any COGS B.A. specialization
3. B.Sc. students with a major declared already, hoping to switch into the B.Sc. Cognition and Brain specialization.
Check that you meet the Admission Requirements.
Fill out the online application form (available on this page during intake periods only).