Psychosocial Studies,MA

Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom, London

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408

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Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom , London

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesOctober-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 20,850 / year

Next Intake October-2026

Psychosocial Studies,MA

About

Course Overview

This MA Psychosocial Studies pioneers an exciting interdisciplinary approach to understanding the psychosocial constitution of the human subject and the relationship between the psychic and the social. It gives you the chance to develop an in-depth understanding of the relation between individual subjectivities and identities, and historical and contemporary social and political formations. 

Why choose this course?

It offers you a range of critical frameworks to explore, including psychoanalytic theory, social theory, feminist and queer theory, cultural and post-colonial studies and qualitative psychosocial methodologies. 
It is specifically designed to develop the skills and knowledge you need to work with a psychosocial lens in a range of future employment situations.
It gives you the opportunity to undertake your own psychosocial research project. We encourage you to take a creative approach to this, for example employing visual or art-based methods.

What you will learn

On this course you will develop your understanding of human experience, social conflict and mental health beyond conventional distinctions made between the psychological and social.  

You will gain a grounding in the work of key social and psychoanalytic theorists, exploring power, ‘otherness’, violence, affect, aesthetics, memory, resistance, care and identity. To help you put theory into practice, you will be given training in psychosocial research methodologies, including visual and arts-based methods.

How you will learn

This MA Psychosocial Studies is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening.

Teaching on this course is a combination of lectures (some pre-recorded) and seminars. Lectures will provide you with an outline or overview of the topic, to engage you with the material and direct you to other resources. Seminars are group sessions with discussion or group work, and often a class presentation around the topic, with material set in advance.

This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Psychosocial Studies (MA).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

At least a second-class honours degree (2:2), or its equivalent, in a discipline relevant to psychosocial studies, which includes most humanities and social science disciplines (such as psychology, sociology, politics, history, cultural studies).

In exceptional circumstances, your application will be considered if you have substantial professional experience (for example, teaching, social work, counselling and psychotherapy, mediation, development work, arts and cultural industries) without an undergraduate degree, and can demonstrate through interview and a written assignment that you have the required academic abilities to complete a Master's-level course.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

International students: Please note, if you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

English Program Requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Career

On successfully completing this MA Psychosocial Studies course, you will have gained an array of important skills, including:

the capacity to apply a psychosocial understanding to key problematics and phenomena
a conceptual grasp and practical understanding of psychosocial epistemologies and methodologies for empirical and theoretical research
⁠the ability to design and carry out a piece of independent research (either empirical or theoretical)
⁠the ability to work effectively in a small group including group presentations.

Graduates can pursue career paths in psychological, psychotherapeutic and counselling settings; health and social care; education; social and psychological research; social policy; international development; human rights; the cultural industries; social research, including further study at MPhil/PhD levels. Possible professions include: 

counselling psychologist 
⁠further education lecturer 
human resources officer 
social researcher 
psychotherapist.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.