Social Research and Psychosocial Studies Birkbeck, University of London

Overview

Why Social Research and Psychosocial Studies at Birkbeck?

Birkbeck, University of London, is renowned for its commitment to evening study, making higher education accessible for those balancing work and personal commitments. The university is highly regarded for its research output and has established partnerships with various organisations, enhancing the learning experience through collaboration. Birkbeck's facilities include three prominent research institutes: the Birkbeck Institute for Social Research, the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, and the Birkbeck Gender and Sexuality Institute. These institutes regularly host talks and masterclasses, providing students with opportunities to engage with leading experts in their fields.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

For the academic year 2026-27, the tuition fees for the MRes in Social Research and Psychosocial Studies are as follows:

• Full-time international students: £20,850 per year
• Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
• Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
• Part-time home students: £5,670 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The MRes programme comprises a comprehensive structure designed to provide rigorous training in social research methods. Students must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, which includes:

• Four core modules from a choice of six in social research (15 credits each)
• Two option modules in psychosocial studies (30 credits each)
• A dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words (60 credits)

Core modules include:

• Advanced Topics in Quantitative Social Research
• Applied Social Data Analysis in R
• Experiments in Social Science
• Introduction to Quantitative Social Research
• Qualitative Research Design
• Qualitative Social Research Methods

Indicative option modules may include:

• Culture, Community, Identity
• Education, Globalisation and Change
• Education, Power and Resistances
• Lacanian Psychoanalysis: Theory and Practice
• Psychoanalysis and Culture
• Texts and Interpretation
• Theories and Sites of the Psychosocial

Careers with Social Research and Psychosocial Studies

Graduates of the MRes in Social Research and Psychosocial Studies are well-prepared for diverse career paths. They often find employment in government departments, think tanks, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the Civil Service, and political parties. Potential job roles include:

• Social Researcher
• Government Social Researcher
• Human Resources Officer
• Higher Education Lecturer
• Politician’s Assistant

Birkbeck offers a comprehensive careers service to support students in navigating their career journeys, helping them connect their academic experiences with future ambitions.