Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 Women's and Gender Studies (MA) MA Women's and Gender Studies Think about gender and feminism in new and exciting ways. Year of entry: 2026 (September) Overview Course content Fees and funding Teaching and assessment Careers Entry requirements Start date September 2026 View semester dates Length 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time School/department Centre for Women's Studies Apply for this course Sign up for event invites Sign up for our postgraduate emails to get event invites straight to your inbox. Find out more Explore the challenges, developments and possibilities of this evolving subject. Why choose Women's and Gender Studies at York? Challenge your assumptions and academic understanding of women's and gender studies. You'll interrogate the complex issues and debates within the subject area.
Key Program Features
Why choose Women's and Gender Studies at York?
Challenge your assumptions and academic understanding of women's and gender studies. You'll interrogate the complex issues and debates within the subject area. You'll also gain a critical understanding of the intersections between feminist thought and wider social and cultural debates. In the process, you'll reflect on the ethical implications of feminist research. This includes power relations as well as your own positionality as a researcher
Develop an advanced research skill set. This course has an emphasis on practical research and feminist methodologies. You'll also get unique training in interdisciplinary research methods. These skills will enable you to conduct a substantial piece of independent research. You'll adopt a reflexive practice and a critical awareness of the politics of research.
Embrace interdisciplinary learning. In your learning and research, you'll focus on the concept of gender and how to make sense of that category intersectionally . You'll be introduced to a diversity of methods and perspectives from across the arts, humanities and social sciences. You can specialise this focus by choosing option modules from a range of departments. This includes the Department of Sociology , the Department of English and Related Literature and more.
Join a welcoming community renowned for the quality of their research. The Centre for Women's Studies is among the most well-established bases for feminist and gender-oriented teaching and research. We run a variety of events and opportunities for our students during term time. This includes talks with external experts, workshops, conferences and more. This course is inclusive to students of all backgrounds. We foster a diverse and engaging learning experience for all, regardless of your previous knowledge.
Career Opportunities
Careers and skills
Our programmes emphasise a feminist sensitivity to difference and power relations, advocating transferable skills applicable to the realms of public engagement and career development. You will learn to analyse your own preconceptions and engage with a wide variety of social/political issues, facilitating your development into responsible global citizens.
Fostering enhanced analytical and critical thinking skills, and the ability to communicate complex ideas with nuance and awareness of difference and diversity, the MA Women and Gender Studies also offers a suitable foundation for graduates wishing to pursue doctoral research.
Career opportunities
- Advocacy
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Gender consultancy
- Research and teaching
- International and Humanitarian Work
- Politics
- Reproductive and sexual health services
Transferable skills
- Reflexive independent learning
- The ability to research, source and examine information thoroughly
- The capacity to critically analyse evidence and construct coherent arguments
- Excellent written and oral skills
- Intellectual independence and autonomy
- Teamwork
- A flexible and open-minded approach to work
Program Curriculum
Course content
You'll study 180 credits in total. This course consists of:
- Three 20-credit core module
- Three 20-credit option modules
- A 60-credit independent research dissertation
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules Women's and Gender Studies Now: Concepts, Theories, Histories Ways of (Feminist) Knowing Feminist Research Methodologies You will also take a compulsory IT Session and Academic Integrity Module to ensure you have a basic knowledge of academic requirements and the digital literacy skills to optimise your learning and engagement with the course’s resources. Option modules You'll choose three option modules, including one methodology module. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Methodology options: Feminist Cultural Activism Introduction to Qualitative Methods and Data Analysis Introduction to Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis Other optional modules: Feminism and Sexuality Gender and Violence Women, Citizenship and Conflict Gendering Politics: An Intersectional Approach Queer Studies Across Disciplines Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation Dissertation The final stage of the MA is the completion of a 12,000-word dissertation . This is an opportunity to further develop and apply your skills to a research question and specialise in a particular area of research. Past dissertation research projects have included: The Chinese Female Master Student's Experience in the UK: Studying, Living and Thinking' 'Sex and Relationship Education in England: Heteronormativity, Pleasure, and Pornography' 'The Space of Coming Out: Lesbians talking about where they came out to family members' You will be supported by your allocated dissertation supervisor who will provide supervisions and read drafts of your work. You'll be invited to attend the ‘Sisterhood in Action’ conference to discuss your provisional dissertation topic and research with staff and PhD students. Further dissertation support and independent research skills development will be available throughout the year, in modules such as Feminist Research Methodologies and the CWS extracurricular skills workshop series, alongside additional support from the University Library, Writing Centre, and other student services.
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in a relevant subject. |
| Other qualifications and experience | Applications from those with other qualifications may be considered on their merits. Applications are also welcomed from mature students and those returning to education. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer. The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements. After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 16,290/year (international)
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,450 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,450 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Application Deadline 2018-06-15
- Start Date 2018-09-24
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)