Human Sciences BSc
London, Bloomsbury
Human Sciences BSc (2024)
UCL BSc Human Sciences offers students more module choices and flexibility than any other similar programme. We are looking for independent and confident thinkers who not only love science but also have broader interests.
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 to include Biology.
AAA at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and AAA at Higher), including a science subject (preferably Biology) at Advanced Higher.
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 module, 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. You will also undertake Statistical Methods in Computing.
In year three your compulsory module will be the Human Sciences Seminar Project, wherein you design and carry out a small research project, which you will then write up as a dissertation.
You will choose your remaining modules in years two and three from the extensive range of options in biomedical, biological, environmental, social, historical or philosophical subjects.
You will have the opportunity to study abroad in year three, returing to complete year three modules in year four.
What this course will give you
You will benefit from an interdisciplinary approach to Human Sciences, combining life sciences with studies in social and historical sciences.
In Years 2 and 3, students have the opportunity to choose from all modules across UCL providing them with a chance to study additional areas of interest. Over the last three years 60% of our students gained a first class honours degree.
The programme offers a wide choice of individual module combinations from Departments across UCL. This degree has strong pastoral and academic support. The Human Sciences Tutor and your Personal Tutor are available to consult on structuring your programme.
Students have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 at some of the world's most prestigious universities. 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 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Human Sciences.
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 mostly follow a common syllabus, taking modules in human structure and function (anatomy, physiology, cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics) and in human interactions (anthropology and psychology) with the option of taking either a language, History and Philosophy of Sciences or Human Geography.
In year two you will take the compulsory module in which you will work in a group to explore a topic of your group's choice within the social sciences. You will also undertake a module covering statistical methods and computing.
In year three your compulsory module will be the Human Sciences Seminar Project, wherein you design and carry out a small research project, which you will then write up as a dissertation.
You will choose your remaining modules in years two and three from the extensive range of options in biomedical, biological, environmental, social, historical or philosophical subjects.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Your learning
The first year is taught through lectures, small-group tutorials, workshops, practicals and laboratory sessions. Your second-year compulsory module will involve lectures, group work and debates. The optional modules taken in other departments will be taught in a variety of ways according to the nature of the module and the usual practice of the department concerned.
Assessment
Assessments include essays, web-based examinations, written examinations, practical reports, briefing papers and debating performance. The third-year dissertation is assessed solely on the basis of the written report. However, you will be required to make a short presentation of your topic 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
The Human Sciences BSc teaches a broad range of knowledge across many different subject areas. It is therefore no surprise that our 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. Graduates have also gone on to study for qualifications in law and medicine (though the degree is not necessarily intended as a preliminary to them).
Employability
The programme aims to provide wide and scientific knowledge of the life of humans. Graduates of the programme will be scientifically literate, numerate and easily 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
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. All candidates will be considered on the basis of their UCAS application. Criteria will include proven and predicted academic performance, a clear demonstration of your desire to study a broad-based interdisciplinary degree, your understanding of what the degree entails, and your initiative, motivation and communication skills.
Got questions? Get in touch
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