Education

I. Educational Objectives

Rooted in Tsinghua University's century-old humanistic heritage, the Department of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences has been committed to cultivating high-caliber talent with global vision, innovative capabilities, and a deep sense of social responsibility since its establishment in 1926. Launched in April 2024, the department is now entering a new developmental phase, guided by two major research directions: "Cognition and Intelligence" and "Society and Health," while adhering to a research philosophy that is both groundbreaking and pragmatic.

The "Cognition and Intelligence" track focuses on cutting-edge technological advancements, integrating cognitive science, neuroscience, and computational science to explore the essence of intelligence. The "Society and Health" track emphasizes practical, field-based research, combining psychological studies with traditional Chinese cultural contexts and leveraging new technologies and methodologies to address real-world issues. Graduates from Tsinghua's psychology program will possess a solid theoretical foundation in interdisciplinary fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence, systematic experimental research skills and a broad international academic outlook.

II. Educational Philosophy

The department upholds an innovative approach of integrating arts and sciences and combining science and engineering, thereby creating a unique talent development system. Pedagogically, it employs a hybrid of phenomenon-based learning (multidisciplinary analysis of real-world phenomena to cultivate critical thinking) and project-based learning (practice-driven research projects to develop problem-solving skills).

For quality assurance, the department implements a robust system:

An interdisciplinary teaching committee (experts in psychology, AI, cognitive neuroscience) oversees curriculum design and instruction.

A dedicated course quality supervisor conducts classroom observations, carries out regular evaluations, and implements feedback mechanisms to address pedagogical issues promptly.

III. Undergraduate Programs

Currently offered through the Xinya Academy, the Mind, Brain & Machine (MBM) interdisciplinary major merges psychology, neuroscience, and AI, while continuing to support the traditional psychology program under the School of Social Sciences. The curriculum balances theoretical knowledge with hands-on skills, nurturing scientific thinking, innovation, humanistic values, and global competence.

The MBM curriculum intersects three domains:

Psychological science foundations

Neuroscience research methods

AI technology applications

Aiming to produce "disruptive innovators" at the arts-sciences-engineering nexus.

IV. Graduate Programs

Graduate education centers on the two flagship directions:

Academic Master’s/Ph.D.: Trains scholars capable of original research with deep disciplinary expertise.

Applied Psychology Master’s (MAP):

Domestic part-time program: Focuses on "cognitive intelligence," blending psychology with computer science/industrial engineering to apply AI-driven methods (e.g., big data analytics, intelligent psychological assessment) in engineering/health psychology.

International Master’s (IMAP): Full-time program for global students, emphasizing human factors engineering, social psychology, and UX design to serve Belt and Road initiative and developed nations’ needs.