About the School of Social Sciences

The School of Social Sciences offers teaching and research in the areas of criminology, geography, health and social care, politics, psychosocial studies, sociology and social research. The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, built upon our international reputation for excellence in research and teaching. Our vibrant student community is taught by internationally renowned researchers doing applied research, with an exciting range of expertise. 

Much of our innovative research is funded by the UK research councils and other public, private and third sector organisations. Our research feeds into high-profile events and public engagement activity, working with community groups, local government, policy institutes and many others. In our teaching and research we strive to develop independent and critical knowledge and understanding. We are interdisciplinary, enabling both staff and students to ask new kinds of questions, as well as to draw on the most appropriate ideas and research in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. This approach is promoted across the school, and reflected in the work of the Birkbeck Institute for Social Research, the Birkbeck Institute for Humanities, the Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life, the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research and Birkbeck Gender and Sexuality, as well as our many other research centres, clusters and projects.

The school has an outstanding reputation for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as well as PhD supervision. Whether you are a research student wishing to work with distinguished and dedicated academics, an undergraduate looking for flexible delivery in a lively learning environment or a lifelong learner looking for a short course or something new, the School of Social Sciences offers you the opportunity to learn with others in the same position as you and with expert staff to support you.