MA Gender Studies (Part Time)
Course
options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Shape the future with expertise in gender, equality, and inclusion. Our dynamic part-time MA in Gender Studies enables you to explore, understand, and address social inequalities. This part-time 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
On this MA in Gender Studies, you’ll build a strong foundation in gender theory and inclusive practices. You’ll engage with key debates in gender studies, including intersectionality, gender performativity, feminist epistemology, and frameworks for social justice and equity. You’ll be equipped with the analytical tools needed to critically examine and address gendered inequalities in diverse contexts.
You’ll then apply this knowledge by developing practical strategies to challenge real-world inequalities. With dedicated classroom support, you’ll strengthen your research skills, preparing for your dissertation or applied project.
Our flexible structure allows you to tailor your studies to your interests and career aspirations. You’ll have the option to explore a wide range pf topics, such as feminist movements, queer culture, media representations of gender, and global perspectives on inclusion.
For part-time students, the programme is structured over two years. In your first year, you’ll establish a strong theoretical and methodological foundation.
You’ll also have the option to choose optional modules, allowing you to explore specific areas of interest.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)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
Our part-time MA in Gender Studies offers a flexible and interdisciplinary pathway for those seeking to explore how gender shapes our cultural, social, and political worlds. In your first year, you’ll establish a strong foundation through core modules that examine the intersections of gender with race, sexuality, class, and disability across diverse contexts. You’ll engage critically with concepts of equality, justice, power, and resistance, and explore global feminist, queer, and decolonial approaches.
Seminar-based teaching encourages collaborative learning and dialogue, with opportunities to participate in small group activities, student-led discussions, and research presentations. You’ll also benefit from guest lectures by visiting scholars and practitioners working on current issues in gender and sexuality studies.
Independent study plays a central role in your learning journey. Through directed reading and critical reflection, you’ll begin shaping your own intellectual direction and developing your voice as a gender studies scholar.
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.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll further advance your understanding of gender studies and inclusive practices.
You’ll also be able to select an additional optional module and begin your research project, which forms a significant part of your final assessment.
Your research project will provide an opportunity to investigate a gender-related issue in depth, applying research skills to real-world contexts. It’ll also help you build expertise, preparing you for careers in academia, policy, activism, and beyond.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)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
In your second year, you’ll continue to deepen your expertise through one core and one optional module selected from a range of interdisciplinary offerings. These modules allow you to explore new areas or build on previous interests, with a continued emphasis on intersectionality, activism, and the lived experience of gendered identities.
The final component of your degree is the Gender Studies Project. This flexible, supervised project can take multiple forms—such as a traditional dissertation, a creative-critical piece, or a practice-based output—allowing you to align your research with your academic goals, activist commitments, or professional ambitions. With support from a supervisor, you’ll design and deliver an independent project that makes an original contribution to the field.
The part-time structure enables you to integrate academic study with your wider commitments, creating a dynamic link between your learning, lived experience, and future aspirations.
Assessment
In your core and optional modules in year two, you’ll continue to be assessed through coursework. The nature of assessments will vary depending on the modules and topics you choose. You’ll have opportunities for feedback and one-to-one tutorials on your written work, helping you to build on the ideas and skills developed during your first year.
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 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.