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Psychological Research Methods at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Our MSc Psychological Research Methods provides in-depth training in both the quantitative and qualitative methods employed in contemporary psychological research. It covers:

  • critical appreciation of existing research and research methods
  • philosophical foundations of approaches to research within cognitive and social psychology
  • formulation of hypotheses
  • designing and reporting experiments using a range of research methodologies
  • subject-specific IT skills.
The course combines Birkbeck’s strengths in qualitative and quantitative psychological research methods. It provides you with the opportunity to conduct supervised research in a wide range of areas within contemporary psychology, such as psychosocial studies, brain and cognitive development, and computational cognitive neuroscience. Highlights
  • 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.
  • If you have a strong academic record but require financial support to take this course, you may be eligible for the Kenway Legacy Scholarship which will cover the cost of your tuition fees.
  • ESRC funding may be available in conjunction with PhD study.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in psychology, education, human resources, market research or management. Possible professions include:
  • research psychologist
  • further education lecturer
  • market researcher
  • human resources officer
  • educational psychologist.
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.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Each of the six taught modules is separately assessed by one essay or an equivalent piece of written work, normally of 2000-2500 words. In addition, you must submit a dissertation with an empirical component of approximately 10,000 words. Apart from the module Structure and Measurement of the Human Brain, there are no written examinations. For the Matlab options, there will be programming assessments.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course 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. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in psychology or a relevant discipline. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £12840 Year 1
Northern Ireland £12840 Year 1
Scotland £12840 Year 1
Wales £12840 Year 1
International £21690 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Psychological Research Methods at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS