Gender Studies is an exciting area of research, exploring gender relations in the past, present and future. This programme draws on a variety of perspectives to analyse social and cultural phenomena through the lens of gender.
Supported by our Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, you’ll be able to explore approaches from across a range of academic disciplines. You’ll learn the principles of conducting research on gender and examine issues that both shape and are shaped by gender relations, such as family roles, reproductive technologies, citizenship, sexuality and culture.
Core modules in gender theory and research will lay these foundations, and you’ll build on them by choosing from a range of options on topics such as gender and development, care, gender equality in the workplace, race and sexuality. There has never been a more exciting time to study gender, and this programme will give you an insight into this vital and fascinating field.
Research insight
The Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Studies at the University of Leeds is at the forefront of gender research, working closely with other research centres within the School and maintaining strong links with universities around the world. It’s a welcoming and stimulating environment in which to explore gender issues from a range of perspectives.
Core modules in your first semester will introduce you to research and different theoretical approaches in gender studies.
You’ll consider feminist research practices, including ethical and epistemological issues. At the same time, you’ll engage with contemporary theoretical approaches to analyse different – and sometimes contradictory – explanations for the source and operation of gender, and how it affects different areas of social life.
These modules lay the foundations of the programme, supporting your learning as you choose from optional modules to focus on specific topics.
This programme will give you strong research skills as well as a broad base of knowledge. You’ll put these into practice when you complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice, which you’ll submit by the end of the programme in September.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
For more information on typical modules, read Gender Studies MA Full Time in the course catalogue
For more information on typical modules, read Gender Studies MA Part Time in the course catalogue
We use a range of teaching and learning methods including presentations, seminars, tutorials and lectures, depending on your choice of optional modules. Independent study is also crucial to this degree, as an opportunity to develop your skills and form your own ideas.
Assessment methods may vary, depending on the modules you choose. They could include presentations, book reviews, research proposals and essays. We offer plenty of support including feedback on essay plans and draft dissertation chapters and regular opportunities to meet with academic staff on a one-to-one basis.
This degree programme equips students with transferable skills such as research, analysis and communication, as well as a range of subject-specific knowledge and skills.
Graduates have gone on to further study, or into careers in teaching, policy forums, NGOs, campaigning and activism, and local, national and international agencies.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website
Visit the Gender Studies MA page on the University of Leeds website for more details!
I currently work as a civil servant for the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. The current organisation that is responsible for administering statutory child maintenance; the Child Support Agency, is being de-commissioned.
This is where my role comes in. My role is to design a completely new organisation that is set to go-live in 2012. I have responsibility for defining the customer experience, specifying our policy framework, and ensuring the design of our new IT system meets the requirements of our future customers.
The School of Sociology and Social Policy was very attractive because of its 4* RAE rating and the credentials of the University itself. With over 33,000 students, no matter how niche your interests are, or how diverse your background is, you’re bound to find like-minded people.
My initial perception of a postgraduate degree was that it would be more like a 4th year of uni but just ‘a little harder’. But as I got into my first semester, I found that my perception was challenged quite a bit! The course was different in that it forces you to reconsider what you learnt in your undergraduate degree and look at things in a new light.
During my entire time with the School, from application to graduation, the communication from the School was absolutely brilliant. This got even better throughout the semesters and I cannot fault the School on any count.
I came to Leeds for an MA in Global Genders. During my MA I received a PhD scholarship from the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
I’m really enjoying my PhD research and all the doors it has been opening. It has been a busy few months of meeting great people and engaging in critical debates. I have also started to teach undergraduates in the School of Sociology & Social Policy.
The friendly and supportive atmosphere at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Studies (CIGS) excelled everything. The staff have gone out of their way to make sure that we get the most out of our MAs.
They have helped us with funding applications, conference papers, and even supported us when we decided to organise an international conference.
The atmosphere at CIGS is unique and if you are interested in an academically challenging and yet unconventional MA then the gender programmes are definitely for you!
The facilities at the University are amazing and exceeded my expectations by far. The libraries provided me with a wide collection of knowledge as well as free courses and online tutorials around study/research skills.
There is a lot of free advice and help for students on campus coming from a range of services such as the Language Centre, the Careers Centre, the Student Counselling Centre, the Student Union and many more.
