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History and Philosophy of Science

History and Philosophy of Science is offered by UCL’s Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS), which also delivers programmes in science policy and science communication. As a community, we use history and philosophy to help people to understand how science acts as a force in modern society and around the world and what underpins its successes and failures, as well as its boundaries and concentrations.

Key Information

Faculty
Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Department website
History and Philosophy of Science
Availability
Year, Fall Term, Spring Term
English language level
Level 2 - see English language requirements for more details.
Tuition fees
see Tuition fees for more information
GPA requirement
3.3
Subject/Module requirements
Applicants are expected to have an academic background relevant to the programme.

Why study History and Philosophy of Science at UCL?

Our teaching has received 100% overall satisfaction in UK National Student Surveys in three recent years. UCL remains the first (and only) British university to offer History and Philosophy of Science as a single-subject Honours undergraduate degree. We have an international teaching staff and tutors at all stages of academic careers. (Some trained first as scientists; others as social scientists.) We are career conscious and we prepare students for flexible futures. We also have an active community of students studying for PhDs, Master’s and other undergraduate degrees.

What you will gain from study at UCL

Our programme welcomes students from all backgrounds, ranging across all the humanities and sciences. Incoming students can expect to find a truly interdisciplinary community ready to engage, challenge and inspire. Those pursuing a science degree at home will find complementary modules to help them become better scientists.

Teaching and assessment

Modules typically involve approximately 20 hours of lecture or seminar time per term, averaging 2-3 hours per week. Assignments are diverse across the programme as a whole: film- and podcast-making sit side-by-side with posters, blogs, events and a wide variety of academic writing. Traditional examinations are rare and students studying only in the Fall Term are offered alternatives to examination.

Modules in History and Philosophy of Science

Please note that this guide lists a range of popular modules offered as a representative sample. It is not exhaustive and, since the guide is published ahead of time, module options may have changed, been deleted or replaced. If you have very specific study needs or require confirmation of module availability for 2024/25, you are strongly advised to get in touch with the relevant Affiliate contact, listed on this subject page, before making an application.

If you have a particular interest or academic requirement, then please contact the admissions tutor. Affiliate students tend to take modules predominately at Level 3.

Level 2 (FHEQ 5) modules

Module code Title Availability US Credits ECTS Credits UCL Credits
HPSC0012 Policy Issues in the Life Sciences Spring Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0013 Science in Popular Culture Fall Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0014 Philosophy of Science 2 Fall Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0017 Science and Ethics Spring Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0022 Science and Religion Fall Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0036 Engaging the Public with Science Spring Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0037 Thinking about Technology Fall Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0139 History of Science 2 Spring Term 4 7.5 15

Level 3 (FHEQ 6) modules

Module code Title Availability US Credits ECTS Credits UCL Credits
HPSC0002 Disease in History Spring Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0023 Evolution in Science and Culture Fall Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0034 Special Topics in Science and Society Spring Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0039 Science, Warfare and Peace Fall Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0044 Science and the Publishing Industry Spring Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0061 Governing Emerging Technologies Fall Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0065 Philosophy of Information Fall Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0067 Science in the Ancient World Spring Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0107 Science Journalism Spring Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0109 Philosophy of Medicine Fall Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0110 Medicine, History and Society Fall Term 4 7.5 15
HPSC0111 Science, Art and Philosophy Spring Term 4 7.5 15

Contact details

Name
Admissions Tutor
Email
sts-admissions@ucl.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)20 3108 1505

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