MA Gender Studies (Part Time)
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Course Overview
Gender matters and has always mattered, from issues of violence against women and girls; trans-exclusion and liberation; toxic masculinity; and UN Sustainable Development Goals, gender inflects the everyday and the institutional experiences of every person on this globe. There has never been a better time to study this subject.
On this MA in Gender Studies, you’ll explore the fundamental debates of gender studies, focusing 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 folks living beyond the binary operate.
You will benefit from UEA’s expertise across the humanities, in politics and sociology – vital to understanding social change, gender-based rights and equality issues more broadly – as well as literature, media, history, and development studies.
What’s more, you’ll learn about feminist research methods, equipping you with the tools to actively participate in the construction of knowledge and the shaping of the field yourself.
Our MA Gender Studies responds to the contemporary moment in which issues of equality and diversity are seen as vital for organisational success and public feminism has a renewed prominence in culture – yet tackling gender inequalities remains a challenge. The programme also has at its core an understanding that the study of gender is enriched and complicated by an emphasis on ethnicity, sexuality and class (amongst other intersecting identities)
Against this background, the MA Gender Studies develops the centrality of gender to humanities disciplines – literature, history, philosophy – while drawing on UEA’s strengths in interdisciplinary fields such as film and media studies, American studies and intercultural communication.
On this course, you’ll explore culture, society and history through a diverse range of disciplinary approaches and methods. You’ll learn about the history of ideas and key writings about gender, and think critically about the direction of contemporary gender studies and the kinds of questions we should be asking about gender equality in arts, society and culture.
You’ll be taught by experts from across the many disciplines that fall under gender studies – including literature, history, philosophy, languages, film and media studies. And you’ll gain a valuable social science perspective on the subject through input from experts in cultural studies, politics, law and development.
Study and Modules
Structure
The part-time MA Gender Studies is taught over two years. Each autumn semester you will take one of our core modules. In your first year, the core module will offer an important introduction to the fundamental debates in gender studies.
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 addition to the core modules, you will be able to choose two optional modules in your first year from a selection offered within the School and beyond.
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
Throughout your Masters, you’ll be taught by a renowned academic team who bring diverse disciplinary perspectives to the exploration of gender and culture. They have consistently brought gender themes to the fore and have particular strengths in women’s writing, feminist media studies, human rights 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 will mainly be taught through seminars, which will incorporate small and whole group working, and panel discussions. As part of your Gender in Study module, you’ll 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 Master’s level. You’ll do preparatory reading for each seminar as well as working towards your coursework.
Assessment
Your achievement on the MA Gender Studies course will 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 get frequent formative feedback from your tutors – helping you to develop your knowledge and skills before you produce summative work.
Structure
In the Autumn of your second year, you will take a core module which will equip you with the tools to actively participate in the shaping of the field. This second core module will also allow you to continue building on the ideas, theories and contemporary gender studies questions initiated during last year’s core module.
You’ll also choose a further optional module in your second year, so you can continue focusing in on the specific areas of the field that interest you.
In your second year, you will also work 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 future research or doctoral-level study.
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
Teaching in year 2 of your MA Gender Studies will include one core module and one optional module from a selection offered both within the Interdisciplinary Institute and by other Schools. As with your first year, most classes will take the form of seminars. The culmination of this programme is the dissertation in which you can focus on a topic of your choice.
As with your first year, you will continue to undertake independent study ahead of your seminars and you’ll bring your own areas of interest to every module. You’ll have the opportunity to define your focus in your coursework, 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 may potentially see a career path within.
Assessment
In your core and optional modules in year 2, you’ll continue to be assessed by coursework. Assessments will vary depending on which modules and topics you choose. There will be the opportunity for feedback and tutorials on your written work as you build on the ideas and skills developed during the first year of the programme. The culmination of your MA is the dissertation in which you will have the opportunity to focus, in depth, on a topic of your choice. You will be supervised by lecturers whose research interests intersect with the ideas you want to investigate. Alternatively, you may be able to take your dissertation via a placement where you can explore the concepts and theories you have studied in an environment outside of academia. In your core and optional modules in year 2, you’ll continue to be assessed by coursework. Assessments will vary depending on which modules and topics you choose. There will be the opportunity for feedback and tutorials on your written work as you build on the ideas and skills developed during the first year of the programme. The culmination of your MA is the dissertation in which you will have the opportunity to focus, in depth, on a topic of your choice. You will be supervised by lecturers whose research interests intersect with the ideas you want to investigate. Alternatively, you may be able to take your dissertation via a placement where you can explore the concepts and theories you have studied in an environment outside of academia.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- Bachelors degree (minimum 2:2 or equivalent)
- Degree Subject
- Arts or Humanities or Social Sciences 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 (minimum 5.5 in two components only, with 6.0 in the other two)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet 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 English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Intakes
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
Admissions Policy:
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £9,975 (full time)
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International Students: £21,200 (full time)
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 £1,023 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
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 will 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 that you’re fully equipped with the theoretical and practical research skills for advanced level study.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Example of careers that you could enter include:
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Research roles
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Policy roles
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Public sector roles
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Consultancy roles
Discover more on our Careers webpages.