UC San Diego Cognitive Science
Transfer Acceptance Rate, GPA and Classes

For fall 2025, 76% of transfer applicants to UC San Diego Cognitive Science were admitted (276 of 365). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.51–3.91.

The major preparation UC San Diego lists for Cognitive Science transfers starts with MATH 10A, MATH 10B and MATH 10C; the full list is below.

UC San Diego does not offer the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG).

39 California community colleges have a current transfer agreement with UCSD for this major. Pick yours below to see which of its classes count.

76%

UCSD Cognitive Science transfer admit rate, fall 2025

3.51–3.91

GPA range of admitted transfers

365

Transfer applicants, 276 admitted

California community colleges with a transfer agreement for Cognitive Science

Source: UC Information Center, Fall 2025 transfer admissions by major.

Your community college

Which classes count at your community college?

Pick your college to see its class for each UCSD requirement.

Major Requirements

UC San Diego Cognitive Science Major Preparation

The courses UC San Diego lists as Cognitive Science major preparation for transfer applicants, for the 2026-27 academic year. Course numbers are UCSD's own; pick your community college above to see the matching class there.

Complete 1 of these options

MATH 10A Calculus I · MATH 10B Calculus II · MATH 10C Calculus III
MATH 20A Calculus for Science and Engineering · MATH 20B Calculus for Science and Engineering

Required

MATH 18 Linear Algebra

Courses listed

COGS 14A Introduction to Research Methods
COGS 14B Introduction to Statistical Analysis
COGS 1 Introduction to Cognitive Science
COGS 13 Field Methods: Studying Cognition in the Wild
COGS 17 Neurobiology of Cognition

Complete 1 of these

COGS 10 Cognitive Consequences of Technology
DSGN 1 Design of Everyday Things

Complete 1 of these

BILD 62 Introduction to Python for Biologists
COGS 18 Introduction to Python
CSE 6R Introduction to Computer Science and Object-Oriented Programming: Python
CSE 8A Introduction to Programming and Computational Problem Solving I
CSE 11 Introduction to Programming and Computational Problem Solving - Accelerated Pace

Where a list says “courses listed”, or options are separated by a dot, UCSD's own Cognitive Science requirements say exactly which of those courses you need.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UC San Diego Cognitive Science transfer acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, 76% of transfer applicants to UC San Diego Cognitive Science were admitted (276 of 365). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.51–3.91.

Does UC San Diego have a Cognitive Science major for transfer students?

Yes. UC San Diego offers Cognitive Science (B.S.) and lists the major preparation it expects transfer applicants to complete.

What classes do I need to transfer to UC San Diego for Cognitive Science?

UC San Diego's Cognitive Science major preparation includes MATH 10A, MATH 10B, MATH 10C, MATH 20A, MATH 20B and MATH 18, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.