Course Overview

Our Graduate Certificate in Psychosocial Studies introduces you to substantial strands of psychosocial theory: the theory that proposes different ways of understanding the interrelationship between the development of subjectivity and identity, and historical and contemporary social and political formations. The focus is on psychoanalysis and social theory.

The course prepares you to identify and analyze a range of psychosocial phenomena (such as violence, war, trauma, terrorism, intimacies, communities, care, human rights, agency, resistance, and personal and social transformations). It will advance your study skills and provide you with the intellectual and academic foundations for further postgraduate courses in psychosocial studies.

This is an undergraduate-level qualification that will prepare you for postgraduate study. Graduate Certificates/Diplomas typically take one to two years to complete and are made up of two, three, or four modules at final-year undergraduate degree level .

Graduates can pursue career paths in mental health, education, social research, international development, conflict resolution, human rights, or the cultural industries. Possible professions include:

• counseling psychologist

• further education lecturer

• human resources officer

• social researcher

• psychotherapist.

We offer a comprehensive Careers Service - Birkbeck Futures - 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.

General Eligibility

Minimum second-class honors degree or its equivalent in a discipline relevant to psychosocial studies, which includes most humanities and social science disciplines (such as psychology, sociology, politics, history, and cultural studies).

Part Time Work Details

n/a

Language Requirement

• 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 7.0, and at least 6.0 in writing.