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Birkbeck, University of London School of Social Sciences

An inspiring community of people and ideas in the heart of London

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Social Sciences

Our teaching

Study criminology

We have a proud tradition of critical scholarship in criminology and an internationally recognised research profile. We immerse students in rigorous, socially engaged scholarship and teaching.

Study gender and sexuality studies

Birkbeck is internationally recognised for pioneering work in gender, sexuality and feminist research, with expertise from across the social sciences and humanities.

Study geography

Our work covers areas of critical contemporary importance, including cities and urbanisation, environment and climate change, geographic information systems, international development, social inequality and cultural change.

Study Health and Social Care

Our undergraduate courses cover aspects such as life course studies, health policy, social inequalities, epidemiology, public and voluntary sector management.

Study politics and international relations

We are a distinguished centre of interdisciplinary research, with a strong reputation for the quality of our teaching. Our central London location puts us at the heart of the UK's political life.

Study Psychosocial studies

We carry out critical, socially engaged research and are at the forefront of the development of the innovative, expanding interdisciplinary field of psychosocial studies.

Study Sociology

We offer a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in sociology and a range of postgraduate degrees in social research.

Study Social Research

Investigate the issues shaping everyday life, from inequality and identity to politics, crime, and culture.

Study Social Sciences

Take a look at what you can study in the School of Social Sciences.

ICPR

The Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research carries out policy-oriented research on justice.

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Our research

Criminology research

We have a vibrant research culture and regularly host eminent visiting scholars and organise international conferences and events.

Geography research

Our research is collaborative and covers the breadth of the discipline, from areas of critical contemporary theory and policy to empirical, policy-relevant research.

Health and Social Care research

We carry out research in the broad areas of health, wellbeing and care, and are interested in the social relations of health and care, health policy and health and care inequalities.

Politics research

Find out more about our research into politics, public policy, political economy and international relations in Britain and around the world.

Psychosocial Studies and Sociology research

We are at the forefront of the innovative, interdisciplinary field of psychosocial studies, which stretches across, and draws from, the social sciences and the arts and humanities to understand how individual lives and social forces shape each other.

Birkbeck Institute for Social Research

Encouraging critical thinking, cross-disciplinary debate and the stimulation of new research agendas on important social issues.

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About the School of Social Sciences

About us

Find out more about the School of Social Sciences and its international reputation for excellence in research and teaching.

Our staff

Read more about academics in the School of Social Sciences and their areas of expertise.

Learning Development

We are responsible for coordinating and signposting the learning and academic development support available to students in the school.

Current students

Current students use Moodle, our virtual learning environment, to access module study resources and programme handbooks.

Meet our staff

"Embracing the long-standing critical theory tradition and engaging with cutting-edge theoretical and methodological approaches, we seek to address today's urgent planetary challenges." Dr Margarita Palacios

Find out more about the School of Social Sciences
News
An abstract image depicting greenish hued light rays moving through the sky in the formation of a firework explosion.

Birkbeck Social Sciences Festival 2026 to explore borders, justice and social change

Birkbeck’s annual Social Sciences Festival returns with a programme of public events examining the political, cultural and social issues shaping contemporary life.
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Events calendar

Introduction to Unreal Engine 5 Workshop

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Birkbeck Main Building, Malet Street
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From asylum seeker to student: how the Compass Project changed my life

An asylum seeker from Sri Lanka explains how the Compass Project helped him became a Law student at Birkbeck and his ambitions to use his education to help other asylum seekers.