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Social Research

MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:

October 2026

Study route:

MSc and PG Dip:

  • One year full-time, on campus
  • Two years part-time, on campus

PG Cert:

  • One year 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 postgraduate social research course offers you advanced training in qualitative and quantitative research methods to equip you with the skills to tackle complex social issues.

  • Why choose this course?
    • With a focus on real-world application, this course allows you to gain expertise in research that makes a tangible impact on society. 
    • You will have the opportunity to work with world-class scholars across different social science disciplines. 
    • It is ideal if you are pursuing a career in research or academia.
    • It offers you a diverse selection of modules in computational, quantitative and qualitative social science research. 

  • What will I learn?

    This course provides you with a wide range of core modules in qualitative and quantitative methods that meet Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) training requirements. Our popular qualitative modules cover a broad variety of approaches that provide you with the necessary skills to plan and conduct independent research. We also offer three comprehensive quantitative modules that build upon each other and are delivered along with the use of R, one of the most widely used statistical programming languages within and outside academia. 

    If you decide to pursue the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc, you will also have the chance to study a module on investigating the social world. This will provide you with a historical and philosophical toolkit for understanding how to theorise different political and socioeconomic events. You will also take a module offering you a masterclass in social research to develop your in-depth knowledge of advanced research methods. This is taught by experienced guest lecturers who use each of these approaches in their own work.  

  • How will I learn?

    You can study this social research course full- or part-time with classes in the evening to help you balance your studies with work or other commitments. 

    Teaching on the course combines pre-recorded lectures with on-campus tutorials and seminars. 

    For the MSc, you will undertake a dissertation on a topic of your choice putting into practice the methods and theoretical concepts you have been taught. 

  • How often will I attend classes?

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

    Part-time: Two evenings a week, October to July.

  • 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

  • Birkbeck is a leading research institute in social sciences, housing the Birkbeck Institute for Social Research (BISR) and many other world-leading research centres.
  • We provide rigorous training in a diverse range of contemporary social research methods that prepare you to become a professional independent social researcher.
  • Our approach to research is interdisciplinary, theoretically informed and creative. We focus on methods offering a wide range of interesting examples from current topics in social sciences.

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. 

Visit the school

Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in a relevant social science subject and/or relevant work or other (for example, voluntary) experience.

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

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

PG Cert: 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

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

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 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 social research course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills such as:

  • proficiency in analysing complex data using qualitative and quantitative methods
  • the ability to design and implement rigorous research projects
  • strong written and oral communication skills for presenting research findings
  • effective project management, including managing research timelines and resources
  • critical thinking and problem-solving to address real-world social issues.

Graduates can pursue career paths in government departments, think tanks, NGOs, the Civil Service and political parties. Possible professions include:

  • social researcher
  • government social researcher
  • human resources officer
  • higher education lecturer
  • politician’s assistant.

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.

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 Social Research (MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip)

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