MA Gender Studies
Course options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Gender matters and has always mattered. Gender reflects the everyday and the institutional experiences of everyone. From issues of violence against women and girls; trans-exclusion and liberation, to toxic masculinity and UN Sustainable Development Goals. There's never been a better time to study gender.
At the core of this Gender Studies degree is the idea that studying gender is enriched by the identities it intersects with. This includes, but is not limited to, race, class, disability and sexuality. On the MA Gender Studies at UEA, you'll explore gender construction and diversity. Come and learn about the history of ideas and study key writings. You'll think critically about the direction of contemporary gender studies and debates. And help to identify the questions we should be asking about gender equality in arts, society and culture.
Explore the fundamental debates of gender studies. Focus on gendered aspects of society and culture and its links with other inequalities and social divisions. From literary theory to online activism, you’ll untangle the dynamics of gender that structure the private and public worlds in which women and girls, men and boys, and those living beyond the binary operate.
This gender studies degree is taught by experts from across many disciplines, including literature, history, philosophy, politics, media and cultural studies, to name a few. So, you'll develop your understanding through a broad range of disciplinary approaches. What’s more, you’ll learn about core feminist research methods. This will equip you with the tools to actively shape the field yourself. This could be in further research or working in the public sector, policy or consultancy roles. You have the opportunity to change the way the world thinks about and approaches gender.
By the end of this course, you’ll be knowledgeable about the gendered aspects of societies and cultures. You’ll be confident enough to study for a PhD to pursue an academic path or seek careers in public sector, politics, or consultancy.
Study and Modules
Structure
During the first semester of your degree, you’ll take two core modules. These are an important introduction to the fundamental debates in gender studies and feminist research methods, equipping you with the tools to actively participate in the shaping of the field.
You’ll also cover the history of ideas and key writings about gender and be encouraged to think critically about the direction of contemporary gender studies and gender equality more broadly.
In the second semester, you’ll choose modules from a range of optional modules, focusing in on the specific areas of the field that interest you.
Towards the end of the semester, you’ll begin working on your dissertation. This is your chance to pursue an area of specialist study of your choice, investigating a specific academic methodology or topic. You’ll get advice from two members of staff as supervisors to support you in researching and writing up your dissertation.
Alongside your dissertation module, you’ll take an intensive week-long training programme, allowing you to develop a range of transferrable skills that you can take with you to your future career or doctoral-level study.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 60)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll be taught by a renowned academic team who bring diverse disciplinary perspectives to the exploration of gender and culture. They’ve consistently brought gender themes to the fore and have particular strengths in feminist media studies, women’s writing and creative practice, and gender history.
Our researchers have explored many different themes – from girl culture and online fandom to historical and cultural perspectives on women and enslavement. At UEA, academics across the arts and humanities have published influential work around gender and culture for decades.
You’ll be mainly taught through seminars and panel discussions. You’ll usually spend around six to eight hours a week (for full time students) in seminars, which will incorporate small and whole group working.
You may also attend presentations from staff and research students, allowing you to discuss ideas in development. And you’ll have the opportunity to attend additional lectures from visiting speakers addressing themes in gender studies.
Working independently is an important aspect of study at Masters level. You’ll do preparatory reading for each seminar as well as working towards your coursework. You’ll bring your own areas of interest to every module and have the opportunity to define your focus – but this is particularly a feature of the dissertation. Here you have the chance to focus on a subject area that you’re passionate about and potentially see a career path within.
Assessment
Your achievement on the MA Gender Studies course will be assessed by coursework rather than exams. This will include essays, case-study analyses, research proposals, and your final dissertation.
In all your modules you’ll get frequent formative feedback from your tutors – helping you to develop your knowledge and skills ahead of producing summative work
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in Writing and Speaking, and 5.5 in Reading and Listening)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,675
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International Students: £22,700
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
By the end of your MA, you’ll have an in-depth and focused understanding of the gendered aspects of society and culture, particularly in relation to other inequalities and social divisions. With this under your belt, you’ll be suited to careers in research, policy, NGOs, and public sector organisations.
If you’re looking to progress to a PhD, you’ll be well prepared for sustained research into gender. Our MA will ensure you’re fully equipped with the theoretical and practical research skills necessary for advanced level study.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Research roles
- Policy roles
- Public sector roles
- Consultancy roles
Discover more on our Careers webpages.