Human Sciences with Professional Placement BSc (Hons)

University of Exeter

Who and what are human beings? Why are individuals and society the way they are? What problems do human societies face now and in the future, and how can we address them?

Our BA/BSc Human Sciences degree is designed to enable you to answer these questions through examining the past and present of humans from the perspectives of both social and biological sciences.

This unique, interdisciplinary programme covers a broad range of topics, from human evolution and genetics, to the development of human cultures and cultural diversity, all the way through to sustainability and the interactions between human societies and their environments. It is designed for those interested in human biology, the environment, social policy, politics, economics and society.

The study of human behaviours – culture and society – is often set apart from the natural world. Yet humans, like other animals, have an evolutionary history and evolutionary forces continue to shape behaviour and culture, affecting the way we live today. Important insights can therefore come from studying humans in the same way as we study other animals. Also, many of the problems we currently face, such as the biodiversity crisis, climate change, or the conflicts which occur within or between countries, relate to how humans create, shape and interact with their natural and social environments. Solutions to these problems will come from insights generated from a number of different disciplines.

Bridging the gap between the natural and social sciences, our BA/BSc Human Sciences programme allows you to combine exciting disciplines to make connections between biological processes, political and environmental issues and social patterns. It will enable you to understand relationships between science and policy and show how you may be able to facilitate decision-making in this context. The degree will encourage your curiosity about the human environment and how it functions. Modules are delivered by world leading academics in Biosciences and Geography plus you have the opportunity to select from a range of relevant modules in other disciplines such as Law and Politics.

This four-year version of the BA/BSc Human Sciences degree includes a year spent undertaking a professional placement between the second and final years. You will spend this third year working in an appropriate organisation and you will apply the skills learnt during the first and second years, improve personal and transferable skills, make new contacts and enhance employability.

Cornwall is an exceptional place in which to study issues related to human culture, the environment and sustainability. The county has a unique cultural heritage with creative and resilient communities, and is a perfect living laboratory which offers a diverse range of marine and terrestrial habitats, and a wealth of natural resources. Throughout your studies, you will engage in field work and laboratory research exploring the social and natural science behind the complexity of human evolution, behaviour and social organisation.

Studying at the intimate and welcoming environment of our Penryn Campus, you will benefit from excellent student to staff ratios, small tutorial groups and friendly, accessible and supportive staff. Research undertaken at the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) on the Penryn Campus – a £30 million centre leading cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research into solutions to problems of environmental change and enhancing people’s lives by improving their relationship with the environment – inspires our teaching.