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Science and Technology Studies

STS offers degrees at each university level: undergraduate, masters, and PhD

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PhD programme

UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) offers postgraduate degrees of MPhil and PHD, in the subjects areas of History and Philosophy of Science and Science and Technology Studies.

The doctoral program is a vibrant community that regularly meets in reading groups, a work in progress seminar series, and many other occasional initiatives. Students are able to take advantage of networking opportunities with prominent London museums, academies and research institutions. PhD graduates at UCL-STS have continued to successful academic careers in the UK and overseas, while others have taken up careers in policy, business and cultural institutions championing science communication and engagement.

 

Deadlines

Applications to the postgraduate research programs have two deadlines, please ensure you apply by the correct date.  The department does not operate a rolling application system.

Applications for entry in 2025/26 academic year have now closed. 

  • Deadline 1 : Friday 2nd January 2026 23.59 GMT.  This deadline is for applicants who are applying for UCL funding, or external funding (including LAHP and ESRC DTP).  You must submit both a PhD application and apply directly to the relevant funder.  Please note that if you are applying for ESRC DTP funding, the deadline for applications to the funder  is Monday 1st December 2025, 23.59 GMT (TBC)

 

  • Deadline 2: Tuesday 5th May 2026, 23.59 GMT. Final deadline for September 2026 entry. All applications received after 2nd January 2026 will be processed in May 2026. 

 

  • ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD FOLLOW THE DEPARTMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS ON 'HOW TO APPLY' Applications should have an agreed research supervisor in place at the time of submission.

 

STS PhDs

Apply: Science and Technology Studies MPhil/PhD

Students may specialise in the history of science, the philosophy of science, science communication and public engagement, the sociology of science, science communication and public engagement, the sociology of science and technology, science technology policy research, or a suitable combination of those fields.

STS PhD Window

Current Doctoral Students

Information for current postgraduate (research) students undertaking MPhil and PhD degrees in UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) including support, reading groups and the STS Research Space.

STS PhD Moodle

 

    Resources:

    Research Clusters
    Explore the department’s research clusters and our ongoing projects on our Research page.

    UCL Scholarships: find the currently available Studentships with the Scholarships and funding tool.

    Current Projects
    We invite you to take a look at the current PhD projects hosted in STS.

    Questions & Answers: There's a lot you should ask and a lot for us to tell you in our FAQ section

    PhD Programme Tutor
    Prof. Brian Balmer
    Tel: 0207 679 3924
    Email: b.balmer@ucl.ac.uk

    Research & Finance Administrator
    Ms Susan Walsh

    UCL+

    Register your interest in studying at UCL and receive important information about open days, applications, and more.

    Graduate

    Graduate Prospectus 2023/24

    Graduate Prospectus UCL

    How to Apply

    Funding your PhD

    Visiting Doctoral Students

    Support for current Students: 

    Support: Can we help?

    Can we help? support for current students STS PhD Moodle site.

    Reading Groups

    STS hosts a series of reading groups, run by current PhD students, to discuss interesting, thought provoking material in relevant fields.

     

    STS Research Space

    The STS Research Space is an initiative to assist PhD students with a wide range of academic and non-academic problems.