MA Gender Studies

Overview

The MA in Gender Studies is our most popular programme and is unique not only in the UK but in the terrain of Gender Studies programs across the Anglophone world. With a focus on the study of Gender that attends to the complex specificities of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and their diasporas, this programme creates a cutting edge pedagogical space where students grapple with the limits of ‘Western’ and elite feminisms and tackle the problems of class violence, racism, transmisogny, Islamophobia, ableism and queerphobia in contemporary feminist political projects. In addition to drawing on the interdisciplinary expertise of staff across all SOAS faculties, this programme offers plenty of opportunities to participate in ongoing dialogues between various social justice movements and the University classroom. Drawing cohorts of students from Asia, Africa and the Middle East as well as the Global North, this programme offers students a chance like no other to forge connections to feminist movements, activists and thinkers situated across the world.

The SOAS MA in Gender Studies will appeal to students with a variety of backgrounds and objectives:

• Those coming from Women's Studies or Gender Studies who wish to engage more deeply with gender theory in relation to regional specialisation, especially, but not exclusively, the societies of Asia, Africa and the Middle East;
• Those coming from Asian, African or Middle Eastern Studies who wish to incorporate the study of gender into their own areas of expertise; and
• Those having previously trained in particular disciplines, such as Cultural and Media Studies, Religious Studies, Comparative Literature, History, Anthropology, Politics, etc. who wish to deepen their training in feminist knowledge production.

By selection of courses to suit the academic needs of each student, this programme can provide:

• Specialised research training MA in Gender Studies, perhaps including a relevant language. This pathway is suitable for students contemplating advanced postgraduate research in Gender Studies with regard to regional specialisation.
• A broad MA programme for students with some background in Women's Studies, Gender Studies, and Area Studies etc. who wish to enhance their knowledge of gender in relation to cross-cultural issues, with or without language study.
• A special interest MA, which enables students to study in depth gender issues in relation to a particular regional or disciplinary specialisation.

Prospective students should contact the MA Admissions Tutor if they wish to seek advice on the most appropriate options for study. Please see link to pathway available under MA Gender Studies: MA Gender Studies (Middle East Pathway).

What do students do after graduating?

Since our programme attracts students from a variety of backgrounds, many professionals working in the development sector (NGOs, bilateral agencies, government departments) go back to these jobs with a better understanding of how they can influence their government’s policies in ways that are useful to “developing” countries. They also go back to these jobs with a better understanding of how to approach gender programmes. A number of our students have gone on to pursue a PhD because of the Masters programme. While those at the beginning of their careers have gone on to find work in organisations and companies where their gender training will be put to good use, whether that is in human rights work or journalism.

We will consider all applications with 2:ii (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application including supporting statement and references.