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Science, Technology and Society MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Science, Technology and Society MSc introduces students to a broad range of themes in science policy and governance, science communication and engagement, and sociology of science. It equips them with the skills needed to operate in any professional context where science enters into a dialogue with other constituents of society and culture.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,800
£8,400
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£35,400
£17,700
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a lower second-class (2:2) Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this course is: Level 3

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Our Science, Technology and Society MSc focuses on the complex ways science and technology shape the modern world. Drawing on a wide range of disciplinary approaches in sociology, political science, policy studies, cultural and media studies we train students to critically understand how scientific knowledge is created and used, how technology and innovation processes are governed and the multiple ways science is embedded in cultural and public settings. The programme is delivered by a faculty of internationally significant scholars in the field and provides broad-based training in three disciplines: science policy and governance; science communication, engagement, and evaluation; and sociology of modern science and technology.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for students with first degrees in a variety of subjects including natural sciences, social sciences, history, philosophy, other humanities, engineering and medicine. It can serve as a foundation for PhD research, or as preparation for a career in teaching, mass media, science and technology, policy, museums or scientific societies.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

As a department, Science & Technology Studies is respected across UCL for our dedication to teaching and learning. We commit ourselves to creating academic experiences that reward hard work. The programme is delivered by a group of sociologists of science, experts in science policy, science governance and public engagement with science, who contribute to shape the field internationally. From responsible innovation and AI to questions of ethics in a pandemic situation, or science and social justice, all of our staff are actively engaged in research and policy at national and international levels.

Our programme is designed to make use of London’s attractions and resources. The module Curating Science and Technology is taught at the Science Museum.

We have close links with the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum,  and UCL Museums & Collections. We also use the city as a classroom, with custom-made walking tours, site visits, and special excursions.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Our programme provides essential training and study for students wishing to pursue PhD level study in several fields, and also provides appropriate training and qualifications sought by individuals pursuing careers in areas such as education, museum and archival curatorship, or administration and policy-making in science, engineering and health care.

Graduates have gone on to roles in sectors including; academic research and HE; charities, NGOs and international development; health and social care; and IT, technology and telecoms. This information comes from the UCL Tableau Dashboard which takes its data from the annual Graduate Outcomes Survey and the data is aggregated over the five most recent surveys (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-2022).

You can find out more about our graduate destinations on our ‘What do UCL graduates do?’ page.
 

Employability

The programme offers a range of transferable skills and networking opportunities. It prepares students to work at the interface of science, technology and society whether in science advice, consulting, the civil service, mass media or cultural institutions. Many of our students also go on to further research at PhD level. Highlights of the programme include:

  • the chance to develop practical media skills, including audio production
  • learning to write for different audiences
  • developing your skills in both practical and theoretical science communication
  • to meet and network with policy makers.

Networking

There may be department and/or student organised alumni events, career events, lecture series, workshops, etc. that allow for networking.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. You'll also be expected to take part in both guided and self-guided personal work. Assessment is carried out through a blend of formative and summative assessment methods. 

The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, tutorials and research supervision. Student performance is assessed through coursework such as long and short essays, presentations, blog pieces, and project work.

On average it is expected that a student spends 150 hours studying for each 15-credit module. This includes teaching time, private study and coursework. Modules are usually taught in weekly two-hour sessions over 10 weeks each term.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around eight hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

In Term One and Term Two full-time students can typically expect eight contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. In Term Three and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

The Postgraduate Diploma course consists of one core module (15 credits), five optional modules (75 credits) and two elective modules (30 credits), available in full time or part time mode. Postgraduate Certificate students undertake modules to the value of 60 credits. The course consists of one core module (15 credits), and three optional modules (45 credits), studied over one year.

Modules

You will undertake 8 taught modules over the course of the programme of study over two terms and a research dissertation in the Third Term.

Full time structure: 

Term One: 

You will take 1 compulsory module and 3 optional modules.

Term Two: 

You will take 4 optional modules. 

Term Three:

The dissertation planning commences with the research and writing conducted in Term Three and the summer.

Part time structure:  

Year One:
In Term One you will take 1 compulsory module and 1 optional module.  
In Term Two you will take 2 optional modules.  

Year Two: 
In Term One you will take 2 optional modules.  
In Term Two you will take 2 optional modules.  
In Term Three and over the summer you will complete the research dissertation.

Compulsory modules




Optional modules















Science and the Global System

Health, Difference and Inequality



Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

MSc students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Science, Technology and Society. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Science, Technology and Society. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Science, Technology and Society.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: UCL Science and Technology Studies (PM)

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Join us for a Virtual Graduate Open Event to find out more about our wide range of Master's programmes, how our programmes are taught, and what it's like to study at UCL Science and Technology Studies. You'll have the chance to hear from our academics and ask any questions you might have in a live Q&A.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: UCL Science and Technology Studies (Evening)

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Join us for a Virtual Graduate Open Event to find out more about our wide range of Master's programmes, how our programmes are taught, and what it's like to study at UCL Science and Technology Studies. You'll have the chance to hear from our academics and ask any questions you might have in a live Q&A.

Foyer, Roberts Engineering Building - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Engineering, Mathematical and Physical Sciences

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Sign up now for our in-person Graduate Open Evening. Hosted by the UCL Faculty of Engineering and UCL Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. This event is a great opportunity to find out about the graduate courses we offer, speak to staff and students about UCL and gain an insight into postgraduate study and student life at UCL.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800 £8,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £35,400 £17,700

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Students are responsible for travel costs within London. Travel within London is likely to be covered in travel cards students obtain for travelling to UCL. A single day travel card is £13.90.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Science, Technology and Society at graduate level
  • why you want to study Science, Technology and Society at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Science and Technology Studies
Science and Technology Studies

sts-msc-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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