Human Sciences | University of Oxford (2024)

About the course

Human Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree course which enables students to study humans from multiple interconnecting perspectives across the biological and social sciences.

The degree allows students to make connections between biological, social and cultural phenomena. Such connections are essential for addressing the major issues humans face in a rapidly changing world. The programme offers an exciting and challenging alternative to more traditional undergraduate courses.

The BA in Human Sciences was founded in 1969 by specialists across a range of departments at the University. They recognised the need for an interdisciplinary understanding of fundamental issues and problems confronting human societies. This need is as critical now as it was then, as is reflected in the global intensification of interdisciplinary research across traditional subject boundaries in the decades since the degree began.

Central topics include:

• the evolution of humans and their behaviour
• molecular and population genetics
• population growth and ageing
• ethnic and cultural diversity
• and human interaction with the environment, including conservation, disease, and nutrition.

Within a framework of human diversity and sustainability, Human Scientists study the connections between human biology, evolution, genetics, development, psychology, behaviour, ecology, demography, society and culture. This helps them to develop professional competences suited to addressing multidimensional human problems.

The course is taught by specialists from across the University. Lectures introduce the material and provide the core concepts and theories for each paper. Tutorials allow students to consider particular topics in greater depth and draw connections across different perspectives and parts of the degree. They also allow students from different academic backgrounds to gain the necessary grounding across a range of competencies.

Option courses and dissertation preparation in the final year enable students to deepen their interdisciplinary training and expertise in particular topics of interest.

'In my first term alone I have studied human geography, anthropology, maths, physiology, genetics and evolution! That’s what I love about Human Sciences – it covers so many different areas and subjects. It’s interesting to develop an understanding of humans as both social and biological creatures by seeing how everything fits together.' Maija-Eliina	'Human Sciences is the perfect course for ever-curious, ‘all-rounders’ who refuse to be pigeonholed into arts vs sciences. Being exposed to such a wide range of subjects, viewpoints, and approaches fosters a diverse skill set invaluable for any future career.' Jessamy	'Frequently friends on other courses, watching with envy as I studied such diverse and interesting subjects, said to me: "if I had known about Human Sciences earlier, I would have applied for that instead.' Clare

Unistats information

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Please select 'see course data' to view the full Unistats data for Human Sciences.

Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.

Visit the Studying at Oxford section of this page for a more general insight into what studying here is likely to be like.

A typical week

During Years 1 and 2 your work will be divided between lectures (about ten a week) and tutorials (one or two a week with more in the first year). In addition, some practical experience in genetics, physiology, demography or statistics will be offered in certain terms. Computers are used in the teaching of quantitative methods.

In the third year the tutorial and class requirement is reduced to allow more time for option papers and research for your dissertation.

Tutorials are usually 2-4 students and a tutor. Class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose. There would usually be no more than around 20 students although the more popular classes may include up to 30 students.

Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctoral level.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit ourAcademic Yearpage.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

The options listed above are illustrative and may change. More information about current options is available on theHuman Sciences website.

Academic requirements

Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved.

Read further information onhow we use contextual data.

Subject requirements

Applying

All candidates must follow the application procedure as shown on ourApplying to Oxfordpages.

The following information gives specific details for students applying for this course.

Admissions test

All candidates must take thecomputer-basedThinking Skills Assessment (TSA)as part of their application.

Visit theTSA pagefor further guidance on how to prepare.

We will be putting in place new arrangements for our admissions tests for 2024 onwards. We will provide more information on these arrangements at the earliest opportunity.

Written work

You do not need to submit any written work when you apply for this course.

What are tutors looking for?

The attributes tutors are looking for in applicants include:

• keenness
• an ability to understand things in context and make connections
• readiness to modify ideas in the light of evidence
• the capacity to form and express a personal point of view.

At interview, tutors will not expect you to have any specific prior knowledge of the subject. You will be asked questions designed to help you demonstrate the above attributes.

Visit theHuman Sciences websitefor more detail on the selection criteria for this course.

Careers

Recent graduates have found opportunities in fields including:

• public health
• medicine
• conservation
• the Civil Service
• social policy
• the charity sector
• teaching
• the media
• the law
• industry.

Alison currently works as the Principal Scientist in HIV epidemiology within Public Health England. She says:

‘My undergraduate degree in Human Sciences was excellent preparation for my career. The field of HIV is multifaceted which means we not only measure the prevalence and incidence of HIV but also seek to understand the complexities of sexual behaviour and the political and social context of HIV. Human Sciences gave me a solid grounding in statistical methods, biological and social sciences. Specifically, the cross-disciplinary ethos of the course taught me the importance of collaboration with academics and Human Sciences advocates with a wide range of expertise and the need to interpret data within a social, human context.’

Graduate Vanessa produced the series Frozen Planet. She has worked as a producer/director on a variety of wildlife series including Wildlife on One, The Natural World, Life of Mammals and Planet Earth. She also co-wrote the book accompanying Frozen Planet and has contributed to a number of academic books including The Biology of Religion, as well as magazines on various wildlife and conservation subjects. Several scientific papers have also been published on the basis of exceptional behavioural footage taken on films she has produced.

Fees

Additional Fees and Charges Information for Human Sciences

There are no compulsory costs for this course beyond the fees shown above and your living costs.