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Organizational Studies

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026 | January 2027
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, on campus

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

Our new MSc Organizational Studies introduces you to a range of contemporary subjects so you can develop your understanding of how organisations function, how people behave within them, and how organisational effectiveness can be improved. 

  • Why choose this course?
    • It emphasises time in the classroom with academic experts in the field who draw on original world-leading research to offer you an appreciation of managers, organisations and also what it takes to build your career.
    • This course will equip you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes you need to make informed decisions about the future direction of your career in a fast-paced, constantly changing and technology-driven world.
    • It offers you a specialised module designed to increase your employability.
    • It is ideal for graduates from a range of disciplines: if your degree is business-related you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills further; if you have a degree in another subject it will allow you to upskill and widen your opportunities in the graduate job market.

  • What will I learn?

    This course equips you with a broad understanding of organisational studies including:

    • organisational governance and purpose
    • leadership and management
    • legal perspectives on governance
    • corporate responsibility and sustainability
    • institutions, governance and development.

    It also includes a compulsory module during the summer specifically designed to improve your employability. This will develop your understanding of how best to present your experiences, qualifications and skills to potential employers and be able to deploy a range of skills and attitudes during the interview process.

  • How will I learn?

    You can study this course either full- or part-time. It has classes taking place in the evening consisting of lectures and seminars.

    Discover the career opportunities available by taking Organizational Studies (MSc).

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time October start: Three to four evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time October start: One to two evenings a week, October to July.

    Full-time January start: Three to four evenings a week, January to December.

    Part-time January start: One to two evenings a week, January to December.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • We are a small and friendly team with a close-knit staff and student community.
  • Birkbeck was the first institution in the UK to establish teaching and research in occupational psychology over 60 years ago. We continue to play a distinctive role in British occupational psychology - and, increasingly, within organisational behaviour. We are also established experts in using digital technologies to create and maintain an engaged and supportive learning environment for our students.

Modules and Teaching

Birkbeck Business School

The school is research-driven across a wide range of disciplinary themes with academic staff who create new knowledge, push boundaries and publish in leading academic journals.

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Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in any area of study.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

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.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement 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. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

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

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

To be confirmed

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in January 2027

Academic year 2026-27

To be confirmed

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully competing this MSc Organizational Studies, you will have gained valuable transferable skills, including:

  • working effectively in a team and relationship-building
  • communication 
  • decision-making 
  • critical thinking
  • approaching problems in a systematic way.

You can find graduates from this course following career paths in: 

  • organisational development, governance and sustainability
  • leadership and change management
  • human resources
  • consultancy and policy analysis.

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.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Organizational Studies (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time

Starting in January 2027

Full-time

Part-time