University College London (UCL)
Science, Technology and Society MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 33,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international students: full time £33,000 - part-time £16,500/year | UK students: full time £16,000 - part-time £8,000/year. Additional fees may apply
The MSc in Science, Technology and Society explores how scientific discoveries and technological innovations shape our world and influence society. The program examines the relationship between science, technology, and social change, encouraging students to think about how scientific developments are affected by and, in turn, affect cultural, political, and economic contexts. Students will look at case studies and contemporary issues to understand the role that science and technology play in everyday life and societal progress.
Throughout the program, students develop skills in critical analysis, interdisciplinary research, and policy understanding. They gain insights into the ethical, legal, and social implications of scientific advances and technological change. The course is designed to foster a deep understanding of how science and technology are intertwined with societal values, helping students become informed and responsible contributors to debates on innovation and policy in a fast-changing world. It is suitable for those interested in careers related to science communication, policy-making, or research in social aspects of science and technology.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. You'll also be expected to take part in both guided and self-guided personal work. Assessment is carried out through a blend of formative and summative assessment methods.
The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, tutorials and research supervision. Student performance is assessed through coursework such as long and short essays, presentations, blog pieces, and project work.
On average it is expected that a student spends 150 hours studying for each 15-credit module. This includes teaching time, private study and coursework. Modules are usually taught in weekly two-hour sessions over 10 weeks each term.
For full-time students, typical contact hours are around eight hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
In terms one and two full-time students can typically expect eight contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. In term three and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.
The Postgraduate Diploma programme consists of one core module (15 credits), five optional modules (75 credits) and two elective modules (30 credits), available in full time or part time mode. Postgraduate Certificate students undertake modules to the value of 60 credits. The programme consists of one core module (15 credits), and three optional modules (45 credits), studied over one year.
Modules
Full-time
Full-time
You will undertake 8 taught modules over the course of the programme of study over two terms and a research dissertation in term 3.
Full time structure:
Term One:
You will take 1 compulsory module and 3 optional modules.
Term Two:
You will take 4 optional modules.
Term Three:
The dissertation planning commences with the research and writing conducted in term three and the summer.
Part-time
Year One:
In term one you will take 1 compulsory module and 1 optional module.
In term two you will take 2 optional modules.
Year Two:
In term one you will take 2 optional modules.
In term two you will take 2 optional modules.
In term three and over the summer you will complete the research dissertation.
Compulsory modules
- Introduction to Science and Technology Studies
- Research Project
Optional modules
- Science, Art and Philosophy
- Early Modern Science
- Science in Antiquity
- Causality, Mechanism and Evidence in Science
- Knowledge, Explanation and Classification in Science
- Science in the Twentieth Century and Beyond
- Curating Science and Technology
- Science, Technology and Identity
- Responsible Science and Innovation
- Science Policy in an Era of Risk and Uncertainty
- Sociology of Science and Technology
- Science Journalism
- Research Methods in Data Analysis in Science and Technology Studies
- Engaging the Public with Science
- Science and the Global System
- Health, Difference and Inequality
- Science Technology and International Development
As a department, Science & Technology Studies is respected across UCL for our dedication to teaching and learning. We commit ourselves to creating academic experiences that reward hard work.
We are research active over an enormous range of topics. Our teaching builds on research not only in our subject specialities but also in the fundamentals of teaching and learning.
Our programme is designed to make use of London’s attractions and resources. The module HPSC0089 Curating Science and Technology is taught at the Science Museum.
We have close links with the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Wellcome Library, and UCL Museums & Collections. We also use the city as a classroom, with custom-made walking tours, site visits, and special excursions.
The foundation of your career
Our programme provides essential training and study for students wishing to pursue PhD-level study in several fields, and also provides appropriate training and qualifications sought by individuals pursuing careers in areas such as education, museum and archival curatorship, or administration and policy-making in science, engineering and health care.
Graduates have gone on to roles in sectors including: academic research and HE; charities, NGOs and international development; health and social care; and IT, technology and telecoms.
Employability
The programme offers a range of transferable skills and networking opportunities. No matter whether your career plan looks towards the public or private sector, we can help you build a portfolio of skills and contacts that will give your CV the edge. Highlights of the programme include:
- the chance to develop practical media skills, including audio production
- learning to write for different audiences
- developing your skills in both practical and theoretical science communication, including working in a major London museum
- to meet and network with policymakers
Networking
There may be department and/or student-organised alumni events, career events, lecture series, workshops, etc. that allow for networking.