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Psychological Research Methods

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
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

This MSc Psychological Research Methods provides you with a solid grounding in how to understand and carry out research for a wide variety of applications. It is ideal if you are a graduate of psychology or a related discipline keen to advance and expand your research skills.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This course provides you with an excellent basis for continued research at PhD level or for progressing in a research career in health, education, market research, HR, policy, polling or bioinformatics.
    • It enables you to synthesise existing knowledge and be able to analyse it critically. You will learn to further knowledge in a robust way from experts in the fields of quantitative and qualitative research from across the globe.
    • It offers you hands-on experience of using statistical software in laboratories, and practical sessions.

  • What will I learn?

    This course offers you an increased awareness of the principles of qualitative research and an understanding of techniques associated with key research approaches. You will learn a wide variety of research skills, designs and applications. You will also learn how to interpret results and apply them to advance knowledge across a spectrum of areas.

  • How will I learn?

    You can study this course full- or part-time. Classes are taught in the daytime and the evening. We focus on small-group collaboration, and you will learn through workshops, lectures, seminars and guided discussion groups.

    You will also have access to lab meetings and weekly research talks led by experts from around the world, and you will benefit from individual supervision to design, run and analyse your own research project.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two days a week, plus some evening teaching, October to July.

    Part-time: One day a week, plus some evening teaching, 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

  • In the 2023 National Student Survey, Birkbeck's School of Psychological Sciences ranked 5th in the UK for teaching.
  • We are consistently regarded as one of the top institutions teaching psychological sciences in the UK. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, and for the third time, we were ranked in the top ten universities in the UK.
  • This course provides you with a range of appropriate research skills and experiences for research at PhD level or in the private sector.
  • You will have an opportunity to attend research seminars organised by Birkbeck and a number of other local research centres and institutes.
  • ESRC funding may be available in conjunction with PhD study.

Modules and Teaching

School of Psychological Sciences

One of the oldest academic schools of psychology in the UK, and a world-leading centre of innovative psychological research and training.

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Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in psychology or a relevant discipline.

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: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £11,115 per year
Full-time international students: £22,230 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 MSc Psychological Research Methods, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in:

  • advanced quantitative statistics (SPSS, R, MATLAB)
  • advanced qualitative methodology (IPA, Grounded Theory, Discourse Analysis)
  • experimental platform design (Gorilla.sc)
  • critical essay writing and evaluation skills
  • experimental and exploratory design and methodology
  • data collection and analysis skills
  • oral presentation skills.

Graduates can pursue research roles in the public or private sector and follow career paths in areas such as academia, psychology, health or education. Possible professions may include:

  • research psychologist
  • market researcher
  • educational psychologist
  • human resources officer.

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 Psychological Research Methods (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