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Psychosocial Studies (Graduate Certificate)

Graduate Certificate

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year part-time, on campus

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

Course overview

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.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This 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.

  • What will I learn?

    This course focuses on psychoanalysis and social theory. In psychoanalysis, we will introduce you to Freudian, Kleinian, Winnicottian and Lacanian approaches. You will learn about psychoanalytic theories and traditions as we work thematically to cover key concepts and read psychoanalytic authors in a critical and historical context, continually exploring the ideological and social implications of psychoanalytic theory, as well as addressing the clinical context.  

    In social theory, we introduce you to critical approaches in sociology, including feminist and postcolonial perspectives. We will explore how sociology and social theory can enable us to think about and understand inequality and difference as central aspects of the organisation of social, political and psychic life. 

  • How will I learn?

    This course is available to study part-time with classes in the evening, so you can balance your studies with work or other commitments.  

    Classes include formal lectures, which offer you the starting point for your own deeper exploration of the subject, and seminars in which you will have the chance to explore specific aspects of your subject and discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Part-time: One evening a week, October to April.

  • 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

  • Our psychosocial studies team is genuinely interdisciplinary, with academics coming from backgrounds in anthropology, cultural and postcolonial studies, education studies, gender and sexuality studies, literary studies, critical psychology, psychoanalytic studies and sociology.
  • Birkbeck's innovative, creative and interdisciplinary courses will help you become a competent, critical and responsible student of the social world and the psychological and social forces that shape individuals.
  • We have a keen interest in the development of new and innovative psychosocial methods, as well as forging new theoretical trajectories across a range of critical fields of enquiry.

Modules and Teaching

School of Social Sciences

The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, and students are taught by internationally renowned researchers with an exciting range of expertise. 

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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.

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.

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Fees

Graduate Certificate: One year part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

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 graduating from this Graduate Certificate in Psychosocial Studies, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including: 

  • the ability to communicate complex ideas and opinions in both speech and writing
  • critical, analytical and research skills
  • the ability to work collaboratively with peers
  • skills in self-reflection
  • skills in identifying ethical considerations.

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.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

Related courses

Study routes for Psychosocial Studies (Graduate Certificate) (Graduate Certificate)

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

Part-time