Human Sciences and Evolution

Human sciences and evolution is a genuinely unique programme that takes the full range of disciplines concerned with understanding what it means to be human and applies them together to the question of how we came to be as we are. It draws on biological anthropology, evolutionary biology, genetics, psychology, archaeology, and demography to examine human origins, the evolution of cognition and behaviour, the diversity of human populations, and the interaction between biology and culture in shaping the species we are. The programme is built on the recognition that no single discipline can fully answer these questions, and that the best answers come from combining multiple methods and perspectives.

At UCL this four-year MSci degree builds on the Human Sciences BSc, extending the programme to allow a deeper specialisation in human evolution. UCL is one of very few universities in the world with the range of expertise to offer this kind of genuinely interdisciplinary programme at this level, with teaching drawn from departments across the sciences and social sciences. You will develop a sophisticated understanding of evolutionary theory alongside practical skills in statistical analysis, data interpretation, and scientific writing.

The MSci structure means you graduate with a master's-level qualification, giving you a significant advantage in competitive research and professional environments.

Graduates of human sciences and evolution programmes go on to research careers in evolutionary biology, physical anthropology, genetics, and human ecology, often via doctoral study at UCL or other leading institutions. Others move into medicine, public health, science communication, conservation, policy, and the growing range of roles that require a scientifically grounded understanding of human behaviour and its evolutionary roots. The combination of biological rigour and social science breadth makes graduates unusual and valuable across a range of fields.

Postgraduate study in biological anthropology, evolutionary genetics, human evolution, or related fields is the typical route for those who want to pursue academic or research careers.