Psychosocial Studies
MA
Course overview
This MA Psychosocial Studies pioneers an exciting interdisciplinary approach to understanding the psychosocial constitution of the human subject and the relationship between the psychic and the social. It gives you the chance to develop an in-depth understanding of the relation between individual subjectivities and identities, and historical and contemporary social and political formations.
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Why choose this course?
- It offers you a range of critical frameworks to explore, including psychoanalytic theory, social theory, feminist and queer theory, cultural and post-colonial studies and qualitative psychosocial methodologies.
- It is specifically designed to develop the skills and knowledge you need to work with a psychosocial lens in a range of future employment situations.
- It gives you the opportunity to undertake your own psychosocial research project. We encourage you to take a creative approach to this, for example employing visual or art-based methods.鈥�
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What will I learn?
On this course you will develop your understanding of human experience, social conflict and mental health beyond conventional distinctions made between the psychological and social.
You will gain a grounding in the work of key social and psychoanalytic theorists, exploring power, 鈥榦therness鈥�, violence, affect, aesthetics, memory, resistance, care and identity. To help you put theory into practice, you will be given training in psychosocial research methodologies, including visual and arts-based methods.
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How will I learn?
This MA Psychosocial Studies is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening.
Teaching on this course is a combination of lectures (some pre-recorded) and seminars. Lectures will provide you with an outline or overview of the topic, to engage you with the material and direct you to other resources. Seminars are group sessions with discussion or group work, and often a class presentation around the topic, with material set in advance.
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How often will I attend classes?
Full-time: From two evenings a week, October to July.
Part-time: From one evening a week, October to July.
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Flexible Master's
This course is part of our 糖心logo入口 Flexible Master鈥檚 UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.
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Course disclaimer
糖心logo入口 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
- Our psychosocial studies team is genuinely interdisciplinary, so you will benefit from the experience of academics coming from backgrounds in anthropology, decolonial studies, gender and sexuality studies, sociology and psychoanalytic studies.
- Psychosocial studies at 糖心logo入口 is globally recognised and we have been at the forefront of the field for more than 20 years. We have connections with world-renowned scholars such as Professor Judith Butler (Visiting Professor associated specifically with the course).
- 糖心logo入口 has a rich research environment for students to immerse themselves in. For example, the 糖心logo入口 Institute for Social Research, 糖心logo入口 Institute for the Humanities and 糖心logo入口 Gender and Sexuality (BiGS) organise regular talks, film screenings and masterclasses, which our students can attend.
- 糖心logo入口 Library鈥痟as an extensive teaching collection of books, journals and learning resources in relevant disciplines. You will also be able to use the rich research resources nearby including Senate House Library, the British Library of Political and Economic Science (the LSE Library), the SOAS Library and the British Library.
Modules and Teaching
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One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning or on campus or online, starting in October 2027
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, consisting of:
- two core modules (30 credits each)
- two option modules (30 credits each)
- an independent research module (60 credits).
You can apply to take this Flexible Master鈥檚 course either on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course.
Core modules (on campus or online)
Additional indicative option modules (on campus or online)
- Concepts in Psychoanalysis
- Contemporary Criminological Theory
- Criminal Law Theory and History
- Drugs, Crime and Culture
- Lacanian Psychoanalysis: Theory and Practice
- Psychoanalysis and Culture
- Psychology of Law and Crime
- Regulating Sex and Sexuality
- Sociology for New Worlds
Independent research module (on campus or online)
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Teaching
We聽encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to聽help聽ensure聽you聽have the best learning experience聽and聽provide聽a聽range of聽different聽modes of learning聽to聽help you聽juggle聽study聽with work and other commitments.
What are the methods of teaching?
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, and group and individual supervision offered by our staff and advanced doctoral students, as well as workshops,聽guest lectures and film screenings.
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How will I be assessed?
Written and practical assignments, oral presentations and a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words.
Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at 糖心logo入口, including guidance on assessment,聽feedback聽and our assessment offences policy.
Entry requirements
At least a second-class honours degree (2:2), or its equivalent, in a discipline relevant to psychosocial studies, which includes most humanities and social science disciplines (such as psychology, sociology, politics, history, cultural studies).
In exceptional circumstances, your application will be considered if you have substantial professional experience (for example, teaching, social work, counselling and psychotherapy, mediation, development work, arts and cultural industries) without an undergraduate degree, and can demonstrate through interview and a written assignment that you have the required academic abilities to complete a Master's-level course.
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.
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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 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.
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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鈥痶o 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 糖心logo入口 (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鈥� (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.
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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 糖心logo入口 or another institution.
Fees
MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2027
Academic year 2027-28
Part-time home students: 拢6,570 per year
Full-time home students: 拢13,140 per year
Part-time international students: 拢10,890 per year
Full-time international students: 拢21,780 per year
MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2027
Academic year 2027-28
Part-time home students: 拢6,570 per year
Full-time home students: 拢13,140 per year
Part-time international students: 拢10,890 per year
Full-time international students: 拢21,780 per year
MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2027
Academic year 2027-28
Part-time home students: 拢6,570 per year
Full-time home students: 拢13,140 per year
Part-time international students: 拢10,890 per year
Full-time international students: 拢21,780 per year
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing鈥痶heir 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 糖心logo入口.
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糖心logo入口's Lifelong Learning Guarantee
If you've studied at 糖心logo入口 before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a reduction on the tuition fee of this course.
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Can I apply for an international scholarship?
We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship.鈥�View 糖心logo入口's available scholarships.
糖心logo入口'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 .
Careers and employability
On successfully completing this MA Psychosocial Studies course, you will have gained an array of important skills, including:聽
- the capacity to apply a psychosocial understanding to key problematics and phenomena
- a conceptual grasp and practical understanding of psychosocial epistemologies and methodologies for empirical and theoretical research
- 鈦爐he ability to design and carry out a piece of independent research (either empirical or theoretical)
- 鈦爐he ability to work effectively in a small group including group presentations.
Graduates can pursue career paths in psychological, psychotherapeutic and counselling settings; health and social care; education; social and psychological research; social policy; international development; human rights; the cultural industries; social research, including further study at MPhil/PhD levels. Possible professions include:
- counselling psychologist
- 鈦爁urther education lecturer
- human resources officer
- social researcher
- psychotherapist.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise聽- your career partner during your time at 糖心logo入口 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
糖心logo入口 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 糖心logo入口.
How to apply
You apply directly to 糖心logo入口 for this course, using the online application link.
You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more on our how to apply page.
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When should I apply?
You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.
You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - 糖心logo入口 can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.
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How can I get help with my application?
Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at 糖心logo入口.
Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.
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International agents
If you are an international agent applying to 糖心logo入口 on behalf of an international student, please use .
Related courses
Study routes for Psychosocial Studies (MA)
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 2027
Full-time
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One year full-time, on campus starting in October 2027
Apply Now for Psychosocial Studies (MA) One year full-time, on campus starting in October 2027 -
One year full-time, online starting in October 2027
Apply Now for Psychosocial Studies (MA) One year full-time, online starting in October 2027 -
One year full-time, flexible learning starting in October 2027
Apply Now for Psychosocial Studies (MA) One year full-time, flexible learning starting in October 2027
Part-time
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Two years part-time, on campus starting in October 2027
Apply Now for Psychosocial Studies (MA) Two years part-time, on campus starting in October 2027 -
Two years part-time, online starting in October 2027
Apply Now for Psychosocial Studies (MA) Two years part-time, online starting in October 2027 -
Two years part-time, flexible learning starting in October 2027
Apply Now for Psychosocial Studies (MA) Two years part-time, flexible learning starting in October 2027