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History and Philosophy of Science BSc

London, Bloomsbury

This humanities degree examines the past and present of science, technology and medicine, as well as their global complexity. Travelling from voyages of exploitation, through debates about evolution, and into the design of next-generation pharmaceuticals, students discover how science has shaped our world and where we might go next. We combine approaches from history, philosophy, art and religion to ask important questions: Who makes knowledge? When is research unethical? What is good evidence for a theory?

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
Programme starts
September 2026
Application deadline
14 Jan 2026
UCAS course code
V550
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
AAB
Subjects
No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
BBB more about contextual offers
Subjects
No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
36
Subjects
A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.

Contextual offer

Points
32 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction.

D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects.

AAB at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher).

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

International applications

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

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview


Explore the history of science, technology and medicine globally, from antiquity to the present day. Covering fundamental concepts, logic and ethics, this degree will help you understand science’s many methods – and give you a broad perspective on the origins of science and the role it plays in our modern world.  

This degree aims to produce graduates ready to use deep historical and philosophical perspectives to interpret science's influence on modern society.

With our focus on key skills, practical methods, and broader perspectives, we also aim to create versatile thinkers ready to engage with emerging issues.

The real strength of the degree is its flexibility and breadth across a wide range of themes in history and philosophy, underpinned by strong interdisciplinary connections.

What this course will give you

Explore the history of science from antiquity to the present and across the world. This includes following changes as scientific knowledge moves between different cultures.

Through our research-led teaching, acquire transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, arguing, well adapted to the 21st century job market.

Investigate how scientific knowledge is intertwined with culture and society, and how historians and sociologists understand the past based on evidence from archives, libraries, museums and oral testimonies.

Investigate science as a way of knowing, including its many methods, fundamental concepts, logic, and ethics, and use science to develop expertise in areas of philosophy from aesthetics to metaphysics.

Learn how to use history and philosophy to access, understand, and challenge positions in contemporary debates about science and technology.

At the beginning of the second year, youwill have the opportunity to learn about the possibilities of spending a year studying abroad (traditionally in Year 3 of their degree) via the global opportunities provided by the UCL Study Abroad team.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in History and Philosophy of Science.

Modules

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 is 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.

Students take 120 credits of modules each year, normally eight modules worth 15 credits. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken.

In Year 1 students will take eight compulsory modules.

In Year 2 students will take two compulsory modules. Students must take an additional four 15 credit modules chosen from the modules offered by the department plus an additional 30 credits of modules, usually two 15 credit modules. The additional 30 credits can be chosen from the modules offered by the department or chosen from other departments at UCL.

In Year 3 students will complete the compulsory 30 credit dissertation module. Students will also take five 15 credit modules chosen from the modules offered by the department plus one additional 15 credit module. The additional 15 credit module can be chosen from the modules offered by the department or chosen from another department at UCL.

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in History and Philosophy of Science.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules










Compulsory modules




Optional modules













Compulsory modules



Optional modules




The Social Sciences of Inequality



Eugenics in Science and Culture





Evolution in Science and Culture




Your learning

Our teaching methods adapt to specific needs of students. Many modules include small-group discussions and active participation. The student-to-tutor ratio is approximately 10:1.

Students receive an average of 8 contact hours each week over 10 weeks of teaching each term (each term is 11 weeks with a reading week). In addition, students are expected to spend 40 hours a week on independent study over the 11 week term. Independent study can include reading in preparation for lectures/seminars, wider reading, revising for examinations, completing written assessments and preparing presentations.

Assessment

Coursework ranges from short position pieces to significant research papers. In addition to essays, we assess using posters, blogs, and multimedia projects. Practical work includes mock parliamentary reports, radio programmes, film production, oral presentations, and internet projects. Group work sometimes is used, as are unseen examinations.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

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Science and Technology Studies information video

Watch this video to find out more about Science and Technology Studies at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

The breadth and depth of our degree opens you up to numerous potential career paths.

The knowledge and skills gained on the programme can also be used in fields including working in science policy think tanks, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, science journalism, civil service, managerial roles in healthcare and teaching both at university and school level. 

Graduates can also look to progress to further study, either within the discipline, or to acquire professional training for example for financial or legal careers.

Employability

The programme is designed to enable you both to gain understanding of the discipline, and to develop intellectual, practical and transferable skills, such as critical thinking; retrieving, researching and analysing material; time and project management; and working effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

In addition, please note that if you wish to study abroad during your programme at UCL, this is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.

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 £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. 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. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We particularly welcome students who are interested in the role that science, technology and medicine play in today’s world, are passionate about science and want to study science using various concepts from history, philosophy, and sociology. STS students have a strong aptitude for critical-thinking skills, and are interested in applying these skills to understand complex problems: from climate change to artificial intelligence, to privacy of data, and a lot more. Generally, our students are not only passionate about science and technology, but they are also concerned about potential negative impacts and want future careers that impact society in meaningful, positive ways across diverse sectors, from policy to industry, media and museums and galleries.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Science and Technology Studies
Science and Technology Studies

sts-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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