Human Sciences and Evolution MSci
London, Bloomsbury
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.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Programme starts
September 2023Application deadline
25 Jan 2023UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- 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.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 4
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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 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.
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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.
Compulsory 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.
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
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £32,100 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 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 2023/24 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.
Scholarships
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme and 2023/24 entry.
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Shephard-Phillips Scholarship
Deadline: 3 July 2023Value: £15,210 per year (3 years)Criteria Based on financial needEligibility: UK
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.
