Human Sciences and Evolution MSci
London, Bloomsbury
This is the programme information for 2026 entry
The natural world doesn’t recognise our constructed theoretical boundaries. Go beyond the limitations of separate scientific disciplines, and learn to combine biosciences, social sciences, historical sciences and much more. With this four-year integrated master’s degree, you’ll create your own scientific toolkit to help you decode the complexities of our planet’s dominant species.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
Programme starts
September 2026Application deadline
14 Jan 2026UCAS 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
- ABB 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
- 34 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 16 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.
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, 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.
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
Join us on a uniquely creative science degree, launched 50 years ago as a collaboration between two world leading departments. Co-designed by the Division of Biosciences and the Department of Anthropology, this programme responds to the need for our understanding of humanity to move beyond rigid disciplinary boundaries.
In the first year, you’ll mostly follow a common syllabus, developing your foundational understanding of human sciences through modules on anatomy, cell biology, genetics, physiology, anthropology and psychology, alongside an optional module.
In the second year, you’ll begin to navigate your own path through the human sciences, putting together your own learning diet from across the sciences, arts and humanities, choosing modules on topics as diverse as embryology, Middle Eastern politics or game theory. Human Sciences tutors provide additional support where needed, to help you maintain and develop your specialist areas of enquiry.
You’ll examine how bioscience intersects with social sciences and the other forces that govern and shape our society and our understanding of issues such as public health, climate change and biodiversity.
In the third year, you’ll explore your interests through your dissertation. Previous dissertations have explored a hugely varied range of topics. These have included:
- ancient Mayan cranial modification
- anti-poaching technology
- immunological and evolutionary perspectives on the role of sex hormones in the development of autoimmunity.
Alternatively, you may have the option to complete the field course modules, studying at the Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya, instead of the dissertation module. Please contact the programme leader to check the current availability of this field course.
In your fourth year, you will undertake a Master's-level dissertation combined with taught modules on human sciences and evolution selected from across UCL's faculties.
What this course will give you
- Customise your degree to follow your curiosity, with one of the widest selection of modules and subject areas available at UCL.
- Study in the heart of London at UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, a district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.
- Learn from leading academics and absorb perspectives from globally-recognised research groups at UCL, The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year 2024.
- Study abroad, with global opportunities to spend the third year of the BSc overseas at one of our partner institutions, as part of UCL's Go Abroad programme.
- Immerse yourself in research by designing and implementing your own interdisciplinary dissertation project.
- Get involved in the Human Sciences Student Committee, the focal networking point of your diverse cohort, with student-run social events, an annual symposium, and student-staff partnership meetings.
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.
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In Year 1, you’ll take four compulsory modules in human structure and function (anatomy, physiology, cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics) and two compulsory modules in human evolution and behaviour (biological anthropology and psychology). You’ll also choose an optional module in one of the following: languages, social anthropology, history and philosophy of sciences, or human geography.
In Year 2, you’ll study two compulsory modules (Human Sciences and Society, and Statistics), and up to six optional modules from an extensive range of subjects.
In Year 3 you’ll complete either an independent research project or a four-module field school in Kenya, with your remaining modules selected from an extensive range of subjects.
In Year 4, your final year, you’ll complete a 60-credit research project on a topic relevant to human sciences and evolution. Your remaining modules will be optional, and chosen from any department – however, these modules must be relevant to the study of human evolution.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Optional modules
Your learning
You’ll build your knowledge and skills in the first year through a varied range of teaching, including lectures, small-group tutorials, workshops, practicals and laboratory sessions. As an interdisciplinary degree with modules from different faculties, teaching methods will naturally vary by subject.
The compulsory module in the second year, Human Sciences and Society, involves group working and debate activities.
MSci Human Sciences and Evolution students may take the field courses (subject to availability).
Contact time across your programme can take a variety of forms, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- project supervision
- demonstrations
- practical classes and workshops
- office hours (where staff are available for consultation)
- interaction by email or other media
- feedback sessions
The number of contact hours per week will vary between modules, and so each student’s experience will be different on the Human Sciences degree. However, most modules have 2-4 hours of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions per week, so we expect around 12-16 hours of contact time per week for each student.
Assessment
Your progress and achievements will typically be assessed through a variety of methods, including web-based and written examinations, essays, practical reports, presentations and group work. Your fourth-year project will be assessed by a written dissertation.
Assessment methods will vary between modules.
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.
Visit us
Online - Open day
Human Sciences information video
Watch this video to find out more about Human Sciences at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.
Online - Open day
Virtual Open Event: Human Sciences BSc/Human Sciences and Evolution MSci Q&A
Find out about UCL's Human Sciences BSc/Human Sciences and Evolution MSci by attending our online open event. You'll have the opportunity to meet the course leader, learn about the structure and content of the programme, and ask any questions you might have about the course, application process, and life at UCL.
The foundation of your career
This four-year integrated master’s is the ideal preparation for a PhD or career in biological or social science research.
The MSci in Human Sciences and Evolution allows you to make a significant contribution through highly skilled roles in fields like science policy, public health and health policy, law and medicine.
90% of our students are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2021/22).
Employability
Through this programme, you’ll acquire a strong set of research, statistical and analytical problem-solving skills, along with strong biological and social science expertise across a range of disciplines.
You’ll also develop a range of highly sought after transferable professional skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking, data literacy, analysis and visualisation, and presentation training.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
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
You’ll need to purchase a lab coat, costing approximately £10-£20.
If you decide to take a module with a field trip, you may need to cover travel, accommodation, living costs and visa costs, depending on the nature of the trip.
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.
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
Your application should demonstrate your curiosity, your interest in interdisciplinary science, and your capacity for independent thought.
You’ll be expected to apply quantitative approaches (often involving statistical, mathematical or data analysis processes) to explore a range of topics from the life and social sciences.
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.
Got questions? Get in touch
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