Human Sciences

Human Sciences is a course which offers an opportunity to study humans as both biological and social organisms. The interdisciplinary nature of the course is unique among Oxford courses and arose from a belief, shared by academics from several faculties, that the interaction of humans and their environment could not properly be studied from a narrow specialist viewpoint.

During the three-year course the Human Scientist will study a variety of disciplines, from Social Anthropology to Human Genetics, taught by specialists in these fields, but will also have an opportunity to take optional courses dictated by a more personal interest.

Tuition is based upon lectures, many of them given in the Pauling Centre for Human Sciences, and tutorials given in College. Because of the wide range of topics covered students at all colleges receive tuition from tutors outside College as well as from Dr Andy Gosler, the director of studies for Human Sciences at Mansfield. The relatively small number of Human Scientists in each college and in the University as a whole, and the social as well as academic focus of the Pauling Centre combine to produce a strong sense of identity, providing support and friendship among those following this challenging course.

If you apply for Human Sciences at Oxford, you will be expected to sit the Thinking Skills Assessment as part of your application.  If you are then shortlisted for interview, you will have at least two interviews, one with tutors at Mansfield, and one with tutors at another college.  During your interview at Mansfield you will likely be asked to discuss some data or a short piece of text given to you during the interview. For more information, please visit the Human Sciences website.