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
Shape the future with expertise in gender, equality, and inclusion. Our dynamic MA in Gender Studies enables you to explore, understand, and address social inequalities. This exciting course combines critical theory with practical learning to launch you into a wide range of careers. We’ll prepare you to become a leader in advocacy and policy, and a champion for creating a fairer and more equal culture for all.
You’ll explore how gender intersects with race, sexuality, disability, and social justice. Together with your peers, you’ll engage in critical thinking, enhancing your analytical and leadership skills by working on projects that reflect real-world challenges. You’ll learn to analyse and influence policies, institutions, and cultural narratives by blending theory with practice.
Applying an interdisciplinary approach will help you grasp the key issues that shape today’s society, including human rights, political activism, cultural representation, and media discourse. You’ll study the history, law, and philosophy of gender and equality and learn how to apply this knowledge in real-life situations. Working with world-class experts, you’ll develop the skills to create policies and strategies that address social inequality in the workplace and beyond.
UEA has strong professional ties with businesses, charities, and cultural industries in and around Norwich, giving you valuable opportunities to network and build connections. You’ll also develop key skills in leadership, project management, and teamwork, opening doors to a wide range of career opportunities across various sectors.
By the end of this Master’s in gender studies, you’ll have developed essential skills to help shape frameworks and advocacy efforts. You might go on to develop gender policies for government departments or NGOs, design educational programmes, or take the lead in diversity and equality initiatives within HR.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll build a strong foundation in gender theory and inclusive practices. You’ll explore key debates in gender studies, such as intersectionality, gender performativity, feminist epistemology, and frameworks for social justice and equity.
You’ll then apply this knowledge by developing practical strategies to tackle real-world inequalities. With classroom support, you’ll enhance your research skills, preparing for your dissertation or applied project.
Your optional modules allow you to tailor your studies to your interests and career goals. You can examine feminist movements, queer culture, media representations of gender, or global perspectives on inclusion. This allows you to deepen your expertise in areas that matter most to you.
By the end of the programme, you’ll have gained key skills in areas such as critical analysis and research design. You’ll learn how to influence policy, drive change in organisations, and engage in advocacy.
Your research project gives you the chance to explore a gender-related issue in depth. You’ll apply your research skills to an area of interest, connecting theory with real-world contexts. This project will help you develop expertise to prepare for a career in academia, policy, activism, and beyond.
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
This MA in Gender Studies provides a rich, research-focused learning experience that will help you develop critical thinking and practical skills. Through seminars, workshops, and independent study, you’ll engage deeply with the field.
Seminars offer a lively setting to discuss important theories and current topics ranging from gender and human rights to media representation, feminist activism, and the impact of policy on marginalised communities. The programme also includes guest talks, group discussions, and chances to network. This will provide you with insights into various career paths.
Through independent research, you’ll dive into topics like intersectionality, gender policies, or culture. Your choice of research can align with your career goals and sharpen your analytical skills.
Assessments focus on coursework. This approach builds critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills. It’ll get you ready for jobs in policymaking, advocacy, education, or the media. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures you’ll develop a versatile skill set applicable across many industries. By the end of the programme, you’ll know how to address inequalities, drive change in institutions and join important talks on gender and social justice. This will help you make a real difference in your chosen field, whether in the public, private, or charitable sector.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed by coursework rather than exams. This will include a range of assignments such as essays, case-study analyses, and research proposals.
In all your modules you’ll receive frequent formative feedback from your tutors – helping you to develop your knowledge and skills before you produce summative work.
The culmination of your MA is a research project, giving you the chance to explore a topic of your choice in depth. You’ll be supervised by lecturers whose research interests align with yours. Alternatively, you may undertake your research project via a placement, applying the concepts and theories you've studied in a professional setting.
Employability
After the Course
By the end of your MA, you’ll have a deep and focused understanding of the gendered aspects of society and culture, especially in relation to other inequalities and social divisions. This strong foundation will prepare you for careers in research, policymaking, NGOs, and public sector organisations.
If you’re considering progressing to a PhD, you’ll be well equipped for advanced research in gender, equality, diversity, and inclusion. Our MA will provide you with both the theoretical insight and practical research skills needed for doctoral-level study.
Careers
Graduates of this MA pursue careers in a variety of sectors, including:
- Advocacy
- Gender Consultancy
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, or HR roles
- Academic or Commercial Research and Teaching
- International Development and Humanitarian Work (NGOs and charity work)
- Politics (government agencies, lobbying and public policy)
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
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.