Taught course

Psychosocial Studies

Institution
Birkbeck, University of London · School of Social Sciences
Qualifications
GradCert

Entry requirements

Minimum second-class honours degree 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, the admissions tutor will consider applicants who have substantial professional experience (for example, teaching, social work, counselling and psychotherapy, mediation, development work, arts and cultural industries) without a first degree, and who can demonstrate through interview and a written assignment that they have the required academic abilities to complete a postgraduate-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.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Our Graduate Certificate in Psychosocial Studies introduces you to substantial strands of psychosocial theory: theory that proposes different ways of understanding the interrelationship between the development of subjectivity and identity, and historical and contemporary social and political formations. The focus is on psychoanalysis and social theory.

The course prepares you to identify and analyse a range of psychosocial phenomena (such as violence, war, trauma, terrorism, intimacies, communities, care, human rights, agency, resistance, and personal and social transformations). It will advance your study skills and provide you with the intellectual and academic foundations for further postgraduate courses in psychosocial studies.

This is an undergraduate-level qualification that will prepare you for postgraduate study. Graduate Certificates/Diplomas typically take one to two years to complete and are made up of two, three or four modules at final-year undergraduate degree level (worth 60, 90 or 120 credits).

Highlights
Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in mental health, education, social research, international development, conflict resolution, human rights, or the cultural industries. 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.

Information for international students

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.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • GradCert
    part time
    12 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Student Advice Service
Email
studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)20 3907 0700