A concentration within the College
Harvard says students choose a concentration, its word for a major. The pages read describe no separate application to Human Evolutionary Biology.
Undergraduate · Harvard College
Harvard Human Evolutionary Biology: why humans are the way we are
Harvard College admits students to the College, and Human Evolutionary Biology is one of the concentrations they can choose once enrolled. Harvard describes it as exploring all aspects of human biology and behaviour from an evolutionary perspective, with a core that covers genetics, physiology, anatomy, behaviour and paleontology. This guide makes no claim of a separate application to the concentration.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Harvard says about Harvard Human Evolutionary Biology
Taken from the Harvard Department of Human Evolutionary Biology's website, Harvard College's Concentrations page and Application Requirements page, read on 1 November 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Harvard's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Human biology and behaviour through evolution
Harvard says the concentration explores all aspects of human biology and behaviour from an evolutionary perspective.
A broad core
Every concentrator gets a core introduction to evolutionary biology and to primate genetics, physiology, anatomy, behaviour and paleontology.
Small advanced courses and research
Harvard encourages students to get involved in research and offers many small, advanced courses.
Calculus is not an admission requirement
Harvard says it views math records holistically with no specific course required, and calculus is not required for admission.
The SAT or ACT is required
Harvard requires one of them; A-level and IB school reports carry predicted grades.
Official sources
- Harvard College: Concentrations (Liberal Arts & Sciences)college.harvard.edu
- Harvard Department of Human Evolutionary Biologyheb.fas.harvard.edu
- Harvard College: Application Requirementscollege.harvard.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Harvard Department of Human Evolutionary Biology's website, Harvard College's Concentrations page and Application Requirements page, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Harvard's course catalogue, the full requirement lists, fees, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The concentration
What the concentration teaches
Harvard's concentrations page says Human Evolutionary Biology explores human biology and behaviour from an evolutionary perspective and has implications from medical science and diet to economics, psychology, political science, religion and literature. The department's website asks how humans evolved to be the way they are, and how evolutionary perspectives bear on contemporary challenges. All concentrators receive a core introduction to evolutionary biology and to human and nonhuman primate genetics, physiology, anatomy, behavioural biology and paleontology. This guide does not list the full requirements.
Is it the right concentration?
Human Evolutionary Biology beside neighbouring concentrations
Harvard lists these as separate concentrations, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
This concentration fits if
you want evolution to be the lens for human biology and behaviour.
Neuroscience fits if
your interest is the nervous system. Avandy's Harvard Neuroscience guide covers it.
Psychology fits if
you want the scientific study of the mind. Harvard describes it in those words.
Admission and testing
A College application, an SAT or ACT, and predicted grades
Harvard requires the SAT or ACT, and accepts other results such as the IB or A levels only in exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible. Schools on the IB or A-level curriculum are expected to send predicted grades. Harvard says calculus is not required for admission and no specific math course is required. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Harvard's.
Does the evolutionary lens on human behaviour draw you?
It is the concentration's organising idea.
Do you like a broad core from genetics to paleontology?
The core spans several biological fields.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Harvard requires one of them for first-year applicants.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Harvard's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Harvard's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 1 November 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Harvard has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Harvard for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Human Evolutionary Biology entry on Harvard's concentrations page and the department page, and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Harvard College or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Harvard College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Harvard Human Evolutionary Biology?
The pages read describe admission to Harvard College. Students choose a concentration, Harvard's word for a major, once enrolled.
What does the department study?
Its website asks how humans evolved to be the way they are, across paleontology, anatomy, physiology, behavioural ecology, genetics and cultural evolution.
Is research part of the concentration?
Harvard encourages students to get involved in research and offers many small, advanced courses.
Do I need calculus before applying?
Harvard says calculus is not a requirement for admission and that no specific math course is required.
Do I need the SAT or ACT with A levels or the IB?
Harvard requires the SAT or ACT; IB or A-level results meet the requirement only in exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Harvard's wording with no entry-year label. Check Harvard's pages again when Harvard publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Harvard Human Evolutionary Biology
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their biology, their interest in human behaviour and evolution and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.