Psychological Research Methods
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.
Months of entry
October
Course content
- 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.
This course is taught during the daytime, but please note that certain option modules are taught only in the evening.
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.
- 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.
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.
Information for international students
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.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MSc
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Student Advice Service
- studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)20 3907 0700