Human Sciences - Student Profile

Maija-Eliina, 1st year

'In my first term I have studied human geography, anthropology, maths, physiology, genetics and evolution!

That’s what I love about Human Sciences – covering so many different areas and subjects. It’s interesting to develop an understanding of humans as both social and biological creatures, by seeing how everything fits together.

I instantly fell in love with my college and I’ve made a great group of friends. Everyone has been really friendly right from day one, and the 2nd and 3rd years were brilliant at making all the new students feel welcome. The people and the city are amazing and there’s a really friendly vibe everywhere you go.

Before the first term starts properly there is a Freshers’ Week – time for all the new students to settle in. This was organised really well, with a mix of tours and information, as well as checking out the Oxford clubbing scene. There were also more chilled things like going to the famous G&D’s ice cream parlour, and plenty of time to just relax and make new friends. The college system means that you feel that you belong right from the very beginning, as there is such a sense of community. Friendly rivalry with other colleges also bonds us closer together!

I’ve gone from lazing around all summer to being on the girls’ football, netball and rowing teams – the fact that I’d never really done any of them before coming here didn’t matter, because college sport is as much about having fun as it is about winning things.' 

Alison,  who graduated in 2000, currently works as the Principal Scientist in HIV epidemiology at the Health Protection Agency. She says:   

‘My undergraduate degree in Human Sciences was excellent preparation for my career. The field of HIV is multifaceted which means we not only measure the prevalence and incidence of HIV but also seek to understand the complexities of sexual behaviour and the political and social context of HIV. Human Sciences gave me a solid grounding in statistical methods, biological and social sciences. Specifically, the cross-disciplinary ethos of the course taught me the importance of collaboration with academics and advocates with a wide range of expertise and the need to interpret data within a social, human context.’