UCLA Cognitive Science
Transfer Acceptance Rate, GPA and Classes

For fall 2025, 26% of transfer applicants to UCLA Cognitive Science were admitted (79 of 306). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.82–3.95.

The major preparation UCLA lists for Cognitive Science transfers starts with CHEM 17, CHEM 20A and PHYSICS 10; the full list is below.

UCLA does not offer the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG).

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

26%

UCLA Cognitive Science transfer admit rate, fall 2025

3.82–3.95

GPA range of admitted transfers

306

Transfer applicants, 79 admitted

115

California community colleges with a transfer agreement for Cognitive Science

Source: UC Information Center, Fall 2025 transfer admissions by major (published as Pre-Cognitive Science).

Your community college

Which classes count at your community college?

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

Major Requirements

UCLA Cognitive Science Major Preparation

The courses UCLA lists as Cognitive Science major preparation for transfer applicants, for the 2025-26 academic year. Course numbers are UCLA's own; pick your community college above to see the matching class there.

Lower division major requirements

Complete 1 of these

Introductory Chemistry Courses
CHEM 17 Chemical Principles
CHEM 20A Chemical Structure
PHYSICS 10 Physics
PHYSICS 11 Revolutions in Physics
PHYSICS 5A Physics for Life Sciences Majors: Mechanics and Energy
PHYSICS 1A Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Mechanics
LING 1 Introduction to Study of Language
LING 20 Introduction to Linguistics Analysis

Complete 1 of these options

MATH 3A Calculus for Life Sciences Students · MATH 3B Calculus for Life Sciences Students · MATH 3C Ordinary Differential Equations with Linear Algebra for Life Sciences Students
MATH 31A Differential and Integral Calculus · MATH 31B Integration and Infinite Series

Complete all of these

PSYCH 10 Introductory Psychology
PSYCH 85 Introduction to Cognitive Science

Complete 1 of these

LIFESCI 7A Cell and Molecular Biology
LIFESCI 15 Life: Concepts and Issues
PHYSCI 3 Introduction to Human Physiology

Complete 1 of these

PHILOS 7 Introduction to Philosophy of Mind
PHILOS 8 Introduction to Philosophy of Science
PHILOS 9 Principles of Critical Reasoning
PHILOS 23 Meaning and Communication
PHILOS 31 Logic, First Course

Required

COMPTNG 10A Introduction to Programming

Also listed by UCLA

UCLA lists these under the headings shown, apart from the list above.

Additional major requirements

2 of these

COMPTNG 10B Intermediate Programming
COMPTNG 10C Advanced Programming
COMPTNG 15 Introduction to LISP and Symbolic Computation
COMPTNG 16A Python with Applications I
COMPTNG 20A Principles of Java Language with Applications
COMPTNG 40A Introduction to Programming for Internet
PSYCH 20A Matlab Programming for Behavioral Sciences
PSYCH 20B Advanced Topics in Matlab Programming for Behavioral Sciences
PSYCH 30 Web Programming for Psychology
STATS 20 Introduction to Statistical Programming with R
STATS 21 Python and Other Technologies for Data Science

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

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UCLA Cognitive Science transfer acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, 26% of transfer applicants to UCLA Cognitive Science were admitted (79 of 306). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.82–3.95.

Does UCLA have a Cognitive Science major for transfer students?

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

What classes do I need to transfer to UCLA for Cognitive Science?

UCLA's Cognitive Science major preparation includes CHEM 17, CHEM 20A, PHYSICS 10, PHYSICS 11, PHYSICS 5A and PHYSICS 1A, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.