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Human Sciences BSc

Human Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree that explores humans from multiple perspectives across the biological and social sciences. It allows students to connect biological, social, and cultural phenomena—an essential approach for tackling the complex challenges of today’s rapidly changing world.
Founded in 1969 by specialists from across the University, the BA in Human Sciences was created to address fundamental issues facing human societies. More than fifty years on, the need for such interdisciplinary understanding is greater than ever, reflected in the growth of cross-disciplinary research worldwide.

Key topics include

  • The evolution of humans and their behaviour
  • Molecular and population genetics
  • Population growth and ageing
  • Ethnic and cultural diversity
  • Human interaction with the environment, including conservation, disease, and nutrition

Within the themes of human diversity and sustainability, students explore connections between biology, evolution, genetics, development, psychology, behaviour, ecology, demography, society, and culture. This broad training develops the skills needed to address complex, multidimensional human problems.

Teaching

  • Lectures introduce core concepts and theories for each paper.
  • Tutorials provide opportunities to explore topics in depth, link ideas across disciplines, and help students from different academic backgrounds gain essential competencies.
  • Final-year options and dissertation work allow students to focus on specific areas of interest and strengthen their interdisciplinary expertise.

A Typical Week

In Years 1 and 2, you can expect around ten lectures per week, along with one or two tutorials (slightly more in the first year). Some terms also include practical sessions in areas such as genetics, physiology, demography, or statistics. Computers are used for teaching quantitative methods.

In the third year, the number of tutorials and classes is reduced to allow more time for optional papers and independent research for your dissertation.

Teaching format

  • Tutorials: Usually 2–4 students with a tutor, offering close, discussion-based learning.
  • Classes: Class sizes vary depending on the option chosen, usually up to 20 students, though popular classes may have as many as 30.
  • Lectures: Delivered mainly by college tutors and other academic staff—many of whom are world-leading researchers—as well as some postgraduate doctoral students.

Find out more about how the teaching year is structured on the [Academic Year page].

Human Sciences

Course Structure

Year 1

Courses

  • Ecology and evolution
  • Physiology and genetics
  • Society, culture, and environment
  • Sociology and demography
  • Quantitative methods for the human sciences

Assessment

  • First University Examinations: five written papers

Satisfactory practical record

Year 2

Courses

  • Behaviour and its evolution
  • Human genetics and evolution
  • Human ecology
  • Demography and population
  • Either Anthropological analysis and interpretation or Sociological theory

Assessment

  • Human Ecology: extended essay (final term of Year 2) and presentation (first term of Year 3)

Year 3

Courses

  • Dissertation (to be submitted at the beginning of the final term)
  • Two option courses chosen from a wide range, which may include:
    • Anthropology of a selected region (e.g., Japan, Lowland South America, the Middle East)
    • Anthropology of Buddhism
    • Biological conservation
    • Gender theories and realities: cross-cultural perspectives
    • Geographies of migration
    • Health and disease
    • Physical and forensic anthropology: introduction to human skeletal remains
    • Quantitative methods
    • Social policy
    • A range of psychology options

Assessment

  • Final University Examinations: six written papers, dissertation, extended essay, and presentation

Note: The exact range of options may vary slightly depending on teaching availability. Please see the Human Sciences website for the latest information. 

How to get in Oxford 2026 Get Info Here.

Academic Requirements

Qualifications

  • A-levels: AAA
  • Advanced Highers: AA/AAB
  • International Baccalaureate (IB): 38 points (including core points), with 666 at Higher Level
  • Other qualifications: Equivalent UK or international qualifications are also accepted.

Where possible, your academic results will be reviewed in the context in which they were achieved.

Subject Requirements

  • Helpful subjects: Biology or Mathematics at A-level, Advanced Higher, or Higher Level in the IB (or equivalent) can support your preparation for this course, though they are not essential for admission.
  • Science practicals: If your offer includes science A-levels with a practical element, you are expected to pass the practical component.
  • English language: If English is not your first language, you may need to meet the University’s English language requirements.

Applying

All applicants must follow the application process outlined on the Applying to Oxford pages. Below are the specific requirements for this course:

Admissions Test

  • Test: Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA – Section 1)
  • Test dates: 21, 22, 23, 24 & 27 October 2025
  • Registration: Dates to be confirmed

All applicants are required to sit the TSA as part of their application. Guidance on registration, test arrangements, and preparation resources can be found on the TSA test page.

Written Work

  • You do not need to submit written work when applying for this course.

What Tutors Are Looking For
Tutors are seeking applicants who can demonstrate:

  • intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm
  • the ability to understand material in context and make connections
  • openness to refining ideas in light of evidence
  • the capacity to develop and clearly express a personal viewpoint

During the interview, you won’t be expected to have prior subject-specific knowledge. Instead, you’ll be asked questions that allow you to demonstrate these qualities.

For more details, visit the Human Sciences course website.

Careers

Graduates in Human Sciences pursue a wide range of career paths. Recent destinations include roles in:

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

Graduate stories

Alison – Principal Scientist in HIV Epidemiology, Public Health England

“My undergraduate degree in Human Sciences was excellent preparation for my career. The field of HIV is multifaceted: we not only measure the prevalence and incidence of HIV but also examine the complexities of sexual behaviour and the wider political and social context. Human Sciences gave me a solid grounding in statistical methods, biology and social science. Most importantly, its cross-disciplinary ethos showed me the value of collaboration across diverse areas of expertise and the need to interpret data within a human and social framework.”

Vanessa – Wildlife Producer/Director
Vanessa produced the award-winning Frozen Planet series and has worked on Wildlife on One, The Natural World, Life of Mammals, and Planet Earth. She co-authored the book accompanying Frozen Planet and has contributed to academic volumes such as The Biology of Religion. Her work also features in magazines on wildlife and conservation, and several scientific papers have been published using exceptional behavioural footage from her productions.

Fees

For full-time Home undergraduate students, fees are charged at the maximum level set by the UK government. For 2025/26, the cap is £9,535, and this figure is provided below as the guide annual course fee for students starting in 2026. This page will be updated once the government confirms the official fee levels.

Annual course fees

  • Home (UK students): £9,535
  • Overseas students: £43,600

Further information about fee status eligibility can be found on the [fee status webpage].

Course fees normally rise each year. For details, see our guidance on likely increases to fees and charges.

Living Costs

Living costs at Oxford may be lower than you expect, thanks to the University’s excellent resources and the support offered by colleges.

For the academic year starting in 2026, estimated living costs are between £1,405 and £2,105 per month while you are in Oxford. Since the academic year consists of three eight-week terms, most students will not need to be in Oxford for more than six months of the year. However, it is advisable to budget across a nine-month period to cover essential costs during the holidays.

Financial Support

Home

  • A tuition fee loan from the UK government is available to cover the full course fees for Home students undertaking their first undergraduate degree. This means you do not need to pay fees up front.
  • In 2026, Oxford will continue to offer one of the most generous bursary schemes in the UK. Support is available for:
    • Students from households with an income of around £50,000 or less.
    • Additional bursaries for students from households with incomes of £32,500 or less.
  • The UK government also provides living cost support for Home students and those with settled status who meet the residence requirements.

* From 1 August 2021, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals are eligible for UK government student finance if they have UK citizens’ rights (pre-settled or settled status), or if they are Irish citizens under the Common Travel Area agreement. The support available depends on your residency status.

Islands

Students from the Islands are entitled to different support arrangements. Please refer to your local funding agency for information:

  • [States of Jersey]
  • [States of Guernsey]
  • [Isle of Man]

Overseas Students

Overseas students can explore funding opportunities under the “Other Scholarships” section of our.
visit the page for more Info.

Note: Students who have already completed an undergraduate degree will usually be classed as Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) students and are not eligible for government or Oxford funding.

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