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Human Sciences and Evolution MSci

London, Bloomsbury
Human Sciences and Evolution MSci (2022)

The MSci Human Sciences and Evolution is unique to UCL, and builds upon the Human Sciences BSc. This interdisciplinary degree draws on teaching from a range of science and non-science departments, and allows students to extend their specialised knowledge of human evolution.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years
UK tuition fees (2022/23)
£9,250
Overseas tuition fees (2022/23)
£29,400
Programme starts
September 2023
Application deadline
25 Jan 2023
UCAS course code
BCL1
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
AAA
Subjects
Science subject required, preferably Biology.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.

Contextual offer information

Grades
BBB more about contextual offers
Subjects
Science subject required (preferably Biology)
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including science (preferably Biology) at grade 6, 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 including science (preferably Biology) with no 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

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA, including a science subject (preferably Biology).

AAA at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and AAA at Higher), including a science subject (preferably Biology) at Advanced Highers.

D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, including a science subject (preferably Biology).

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

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

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.

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: Good

Show details

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. 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

In your first year you will mostly follow a common syllabus, taking modules in human structure and function (Anatomy, Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Genetics) and in human interactions (Biological Anthropology and Psychology). Students may also choose between the modules Human Ecology, Social Anthropology, History and Philosophy of Sciences , and a module in a modern foreign language.

In year two you will take the compulsory modules The Human Sciences in Society (in which you will work in a group to explore a topic of your group's choice within the social sciences) and Introductory Statistical Methods and Computing. In year three your compulsory module is the Human Sciences Seminar Project in which you will write a dissertation on a topic related to human evolution. You will choose your remaining modules in years two and three from the extensive range of options offered by Anthropology and Biosciences.

Subject to satisfactory performance in years one and two, students have the option of undertaking a 60 credit field course module at the Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya in either the Autumn or Spring Term.

In year four you will carry out a research project and choose modules in human evolutionary sciences.

What this course will give you

You will benefit from an interdisciplinary approach to Human Science and access to outstanding departmental resources.

The programme offers a wide choice of individual module combinations from life sciences, social and historical sciences and physical sciences.

This degree programme has strong pastoral and academic support. The Human Sciences Tutor and your Personal Tutor will be available for consultation on structuring your programme.

A student committee organises academic and social events for Human Sciences students, such as a guest speaker series.

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 480 credits, you will be awarded a MSci (Hons) in Human Sciences and Evolution.

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.

Full-time

In your first year you will follow a common syllabus, taking modules in human structure and function (anatomy, physiology, cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics), and human interactions (anthropology and psychology). You may also choose between the modules Human Ecology, Revealing Science, and a module in a modern foreign language.

In year two in your compulsory modules you will work in a group to explore a topic of your group's choice within the social sciences and be  introduced to statistical methods and computing. In year threeyou will write a dissertation on a topic related to human evolution or subject to satisfactory performance in years one and two,may have the option of undertaking a  field course module at the Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya in either term 1 or 2. You will choose your remaining modules in years two and three from the extensive range of options offered by Anthropology and Biosciences.

In year four you will carry out a research project and choose modules in human evolutionary sciences.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 4 Year 3

Compulsory modules








Optional modules





Compulsory modules



Optional modules



Compulsory modules



Optional modules







Your learning

First-year core modules are taught through lectures, small-group tutorials, workshops, practicals and laboratory sessions. Your second-year core modules will also involve group work and debates. Optional modules will be taught in a variety of ways according to the nature of the module and the usual practice of the teaching department concerned.

Assessment

Assessments include essays, web-based examinations, written examinations, practical reports, briefing papers and debating performance. Third and fourth-year dissertations are assessed on the basis of the written reports, but you will also be required to make a short presentation of these in the second term.

Accessibility

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

Visit us

All open days and events

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London and across the UK - Open day

UCAS Fairs and Events

UCL will be attending the UCAS fairs and events for 2022 in London and across the UK and we look forward to meeting you at one of these events.

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Online - Open day

Undergraduate Virtual Open Days

Our virtual Open Days are an opportunity for students to learn about all our programmes of study and book onto live interactive sessions. The sessions will give you a unique opportunity to speak with admissions and academic staff and interact with current students. Our virtual site will go live on Monday 16 May where you can book onto sessions.

The foundation of your career

Human Sciences graduates have entered a variety of careers: journalism, nutrition, science communication, management, accountancy, teaching and the finance industry.

A number of graduates pursue further studies, including Master's degrees in various fields and qualifications in law and medicine.

Employability

Graduates of the programme will be scientifically literate, numerate and able to communicate across a wide range of disciplines.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2022/23) £9,250
Tuition fees (2022/23) £29,400

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/23 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2022/23 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: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.

Additional costs

There may be costs associated with fieldwork including travel, insurance and living expenses. Students will need to purchase a lab coat.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. 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

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.

If we have made you an offer, you will be invited to attend an offer-holder event. This may include talks from staff about the programme and the department. It could also include a research presentation, tours of UCL and the department, and a visit to a laboratory facility.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Request a printed prospectus Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Biosciences
Division of Biosciences

biosciences-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

This page was last updated 28 Sep 2021