Gender, Sexuality and Society MSc

Birkbeck's MSc Gender, Sexuality and Society is built around the interdisciplinary study of gender and sexuality, an exciting and growing area of study. This course is ideal if you are interested in how gender and sexuality are constructed, understood and represented in different historical, cultural, geographic and social contexts. We bridge the divide between the social sciences and the arts and humanities and, if you are interested in focusing on political and social issues, this course allows you to explore the diverse and changing nature of personal relationships, economics and the workforce, and development and legal studies.

The course explores current debates and incorporates the cutting-edge research of world-leading academics at Birkbeck, who are working in feminism and gender studies, LGBTQ+ history and activism, queer theory, and histories of medicine, sexology, psychiatry and psychoanalysis. Our academics are passionate and engaged in the real world, working towards social justice with activists, policy-makers, academics, and charities and NGOs. You will find yourself in a classroom with a diverse range of people, from many different backgrounds and careers, which generates a lively, enthusiastic learning environment.

You will consider competing ideas and theories about gender and sexuality and explore the ways in which these intersect with concepts of race, ethnicity, age and class. The course will develop your ability to critically discuss these theories and to consider how the social sciences can help us understand gender and sexuality.

This firm grounding in theories of gender and sexuality, along with research skills preparation, will help you develop the confidence you need to undertake an independent research project in the area that most interests you.

TEACHING

Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates go in to careers in community and voluntary sector organisations, the public sector and research. Possible professions include social researcher, charity fundraiser, or social worker. This degree may also be useful in becoming a human resources officer or further education lecturer.

Our standard postgraduate entry requirement is a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university, or an equivalent international qualification. We will review every postgraduate application to Birkbeck on its individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.