University College London
Deepen your understanding of medicine and science and their historical and philosophical foundations with UCL’s intercalated BSc in History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine
The UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) offers an exciting Intercalated BSc (iBSc) in History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine (HPSM). This programme examines the historical development of science, technology, and medicine while addressing philosophical questions about their methods, foundations, and the way they shape our understanding of the world. Students will explore the dynamic interplay between history and philosophy, leveraging UCL STS’s distinctive expertise in Integrated History and Philosophy of Science.
The historical dimension of this programme explores pivotal moments in the cultural, social and political history of medicine, disease and health. It examines both the history of specific diseases and broader shifts in medical discourse. By enrolling in this iBSc, students will engage with key historical questions such as: How has our understanding of medicine, disease, and health evolved over time? The curriculum also examines the nature of history itself, exploring how our perspectives on medicine shift when we move beyond the achievements of doctors and scientists to consider patients’ experiences and situate health and disease within their broader cultural contexts.
On the philosophical side, students will grapple with key questions about the nature and scope of scientific inquiry and medical practice. How do various scientific methods relate to one another, and do they deliver on the promise of objective understanding? The programme addresses enduring debates in the philosophy of medicine, including the definitions of health and disease, the nature of scientific evidence and explanation, the concept of causation in medicine, and the philosophical foundations of social injustices. Ethical questions in science and medicine also take centre stage, fostering both practical and theoretical discussions.
The HPSM iBSc equips students with critical skills applicable across multiple fields, from clinical medicine and research to roles in medical ethics, policy, education, and beyond. Students will gain the tools to think analytically, communicate effectively, and engage thoughtfully with the history and philosophy of their profession, enhancing their ability to contribute to both academic and practical dimensions of medical practice.
To see how this iBSc in History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine align with GMC Outcomes for Graduates please see our website.
Entry requirements
You must be:
- enrolled on a UK MBBS course.
- successfully completed or about to complete 2 years of a UK MBBS course. If you are currently in your second year of study and you are successful in getting a place to study with us, a condition of your offer will be to pass your 2nd year of study.
- It is at the discretion of individual iBSc programmes if they wish to accept students where they have completed more than two years of MBBS training. If you are made an offer, then successfully passing your current year of study will be made a condition of offer.
- hold GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
- have achieved a minimum of ABB in your A levels or equivalent.
Closing date
Applications for external students will open in February and close at the end of March.