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Human Sciences BSc

2022 entry | 2021 entry

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.

Key Information

Programme starts

September 2022
UCAS code
BCL0
Duration
Full-time: 3 years
Application deadline
26 January 2022
Location
London, Bloomsbury

Entry requirements

A Levels

Grades
AAA
Subjects
Science subject required, preferably Biology.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.

Contextual offer

Grades
ABB (more about contextual offers)
Subjects
Science subject required, preferably Biology, at grade A.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.

IB Diploma

Points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including science (preferably Biology) at grade 6, with no 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) at grade 6, 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 Higher.

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.

International applications

In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.

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

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.

The English language level for this programme is: Good

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

Degree benefits

  • You will benefit from an interdisciplinary approach to Humans, 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.

Degree structure

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).

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, Revealing Science, 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.

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 is subject to change.

Compulsory module(s)

  • Introduction to Biological Anthropology
  • Introduction to GeneticsIntroduction to Human Anatomy
  • Introduction to Human Sciences
  • Introduction to Psychology for Biologists
  • Mammalian Physiology

Optional modules

You will select 0.5 credits from the following optional modules:

  • Human Ecology: Geographical Perspectives
  • Introductory Social Anthropology
  • Revealing Science
  • Modern Foreign Language

Compulsory module(s)

  • The Human Sciences in Society
  • Introductory Statistical Methods and Computing

Optional modules

You will select 3.0 credits from a wide choice of optional modules. Popular examples include:

  • Human Anatomy and Embryology
  • Drugs and the Mind
  • Human Behavioural Ecology
  • Immunology
  • Brain and Behaviour

Compulsory module(s)

  • Human Sciences Seminar Project

Optional modules

You will select 3.0 credits from a wide choice of optional modules. Examples include:

  • Biology of Ageing
  • Topics in Clinical Psychology
  • Evolution and Human Behaviour
  • Modern Languages
  • Health and Behaviour

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.

Detailed module descriptions are available on the department website: Human Sciences BSc.

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.

Careers

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.

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). 

UCL is committed to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2021/22 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 2021/22 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below. Fees for the 2022/23 academic year will be advertised as soon as they are available.

UK students
£9,250 (2021/22)
Overseas students
£28,500 (2021/22)

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/students/fees.

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

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.

Departmental 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.

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.

Application and next steps

Your application

The Human Sciences BSc is very popular, consequently entry to the programme is competitive. When assessing your application we will be looking for proven and predicted examination performance, and also for evidence of your interest in both sciences and humanities, for example in the breadth of your A level or other qualifying studies.

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.

Application deadline: 26 January 2022



Selection

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.

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.

For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.


UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.


Page last modified on 5 August 2021


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