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Human Sciences BSc

London, Bloomsbury

Human beings can’t be fully understood through a single discipline. This unique BSc allows you to combine life sciences with social and historical sciences to pursue your own lines of enquiry – and seek unexpected answers to the dizzyingly complex questions and challenges that face our species.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
Programme starts
September 2026
Application deadline
14 Jan 2026
UCAS course code
BCL0
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
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 Higher.

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

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

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. Three recent examples of project titles are:

  • ancient Mayan cranial modification
  • anti-poaching technology
  • immunological and evolutionary perspectives on the role of sex hormones in the development of autoimmunity.

You will also have the opportunity to transfer to the MSci in Human Sciences and Evolution at any point in the first two years of your degree.

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 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. 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.

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, your final year, you’ll complete a compulsory independent dissertation, and choose up to six optional modules.

If you successfully apply to extend your programme with a year studying abroad, you’ll complete the placement in Year 3 before returning to campus for Year 4 (final year). 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules








Optional modules





Compulsory modules




Optional modules













Compulsory 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.

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 third-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

All open days and events

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.

Watch on demand event

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.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

As a Human Sciences BSc graduate, your skills will be in high demand across a broad spectrum of organisations in both the public and private sectors.

You’ll be well placed to pursue highly skilled roles in public health, social policy, law, journalism, the civil service, medicine and more.

90% of our students are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes survey 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

UK students International students
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. 

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.

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

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. 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.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Biosciences
Division of Biosciences

humansciences@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.