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Psychology

(Certificate of Higher Education)

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Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Status:
Approved
Duration:
Two years part-time
Awarding body:
University of London

Course Overview

If you are intrigued by human behaviour and the workings of the mind and desire a deeper understanding of psychology and its research findings, then our Psychology Certificate of Higher Education is ideal. This course is designed to offer you the necessary qualifications to study psychology at degree level and give you the opportunity to explore the subject first before committing to this level. The modules may also interest those who hold non-psychology-related degrees and are considering engaging in postgraduate-level studies in psychology.

The certificate provides you with a comprehensive introduction to the major domains of modern psychology. You will delve into the diverse perspectives and fields that have shaped the discipline, while acquiring essential knowledge about key social, cognitive and neuroscience research discoveries. On successful completion of this course, you will have developed a solid foundation in psychological research and gained a fundamental understanding of human behaviour.

Throughout the course, you will experience education on a par with degree-level studies. Our faculty members are dedicated to supporting your growth by nurturing your study skills, fostering your comprehension of the subject matter, and ensuring your overall academic development.

You can study at your own pace to accommodate your circumstances and learning preferences. You can take one module at a time, however, if you are eager to advance further and pursue our BSc Psychology programme, you can complete the core modules within a single academic year with the opportunity to progress to the second year of the part-time BSc Psychology.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    One evening a week for each module. Check the days and times at the top of each module's enrolment page.

  • Progression to degrees at Birkbeck

    To be considered for progression onto our BSc Psychology degree:

    Year 1

    You must complete the following core modules:

    • Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations of Psychology
    • Understanding Individual Differences
    • Understanding Applied Social Psychology
    • Understanding Research Methods for Psychology

    Year 2

    You must pass with a mark of 50% or above the assessments for all six core modules.

More Highlights

  • All modules are ‘open access’ with no formal entry requirements and are largely offered in the evenings with some daytime provision.
  • You will be taught in small interactive classes, alongside fellow students who are keen to learn and bring a wide range of experience to the class.
  • If you discover a passion and ability in the study of psychology, you can apply for the first year of our part-time BSc Psychology or progress directly to Year 2 by gaining 50% or above in each of the six core modules listed below.
  • Birkbeck is strongly oriented towards research in psychological sciences and we are home to the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, the Birkbeck-UCL Centre for Neuroimaging and the Centre for Cognition, Computation and Modelling. We also recently became members of the Bloomsbury Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Statistics.
  • We are consistently regarded as one of the top institutions teaching psychological sciences in the UK. In the most recent 2021 Research Excellence Framework, and for the third time, we were ranked in the top ten universities in the UK.

Teaching and Modules

Teaching

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, in-class and out-of-class exercises, demonstrations, or class presentations in groups or individually. You will be encouraged to participate actively in discussion and to undertake reading and coursework.

Due to the cumulative nature of the topics, you are encouraged to attend as many sessions from your chosen module(s) as possible.

How will I be assessed?

Some modules will be assessed via an essay completed at home and an in-class essay at the end of the module, and others may be an essay and presentation or multiple choice. The exception is Understanding Research Methods for Psychology and Research Methods in Practice, where you are expected to complete a laboratory report, timed assessments and a worksheet portfolio.

Entry Requirements

All modules are taught at university level, so you should be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

What are the visa requirements?

Please note that Birkbeck does not sponsor Student visas for Certificate of Higher Education courses.

This means that if you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency or a valid visa here, then you can only study a Certificate of Higher Education on a Standard Visitor visa for courses of less than six months’ duration.

For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

Fees

Fees are payable per module and vary depending on the course. Please view the Modules and teaching section and then click on the title of individual modules to see the fees for each module. The overall cost of the certificate will depend on the modules you choose.

Please note: Modular CertHE study is not eligible for student loan funding for study commencing January 2027 onwards.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue careers in psychology, human relations, education or marketing. Possible professions include:

  • clinical psychologist
  • further education lecturer
  • human resources officer
  • market researcher.

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.

How to Apply

This is a modular enrolment certificate, so you will need to register onto individual modules (rather than onto the course itself). Please view the Modules and Teaching section and then click on the title of individual modules to see class dates and times and to register.