- Students will explore and challenge gender inequalities and (hetero)sexisms and their relational connection with wider forms of oppression and discrimination.
- Students will garner deep knowledge of vibrant transnational fields of study in gender, feminisms, sexualities and masculinities; will cultivate critical thinking and analysis skills applied to gender in the social world; and will develop skills in research and writing and how to ask critical gender questions through our use of innovative approaches in the classroom.
- The programme offers a safe and challenging space of research, learning and skills generation.
- It is designed to prepare students to engage with gender and wider inequalities in the social world - whether through future study and research, through engagement in policy and activism or in broader professional roles.
This course is available through the following application route(s)
The Graduate Diploma in Gender Studies focuses on the way in which gender shapes/is shaped by society and explores how gender and inequality are intertwined. The programme is a rigorous, interdisciplinary and dynamic programme of learning in feminisms, sexualities, masculinities, gender debates, politics and activisms. A global, decolonial and intersectional perspective informs the programme, offering a complex understanding of how oppression and discrimination operate across society, politics and the economy.
Over the past thirty years, Gender Studies at UCD has become one of the most established programmes of its kind in Ireland with a strong international reputation for feminist, queer, sexualities and masculinities scholarship, teaching and engagement in public policy and activism. Visit us HERE
Our faculty come from across the world and from a range of academic interdisciplinary backgrounds (such as anthropology, history, law, politics, sociology). They have deep experience, expertise and ongoing engagement in social activism, and in international and national policy making and advocacy.
About This Course
Graduates have become central members of local communities, key members of NGOs, employees in public-sector agencies, education and media organisations in roles such as: social researchers, project development managers, lecturers, journalists, and policy and advocacy officers.
Graduates work in Amnesty International, Immigrant Council of Ireland, Crisis Pregnancy Programme, Médecins Sans Frontières, National Broadcasting Authority, RTE, and the National Women’s Council of Ireland.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
GS40090 | Gender Studies: Critical Themes | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
GS40120 | Decoloniality and Intersectionality Thinking | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students may select additional modules listed under rule B |
EQUL40310 | Masculinities, Gender and Equality | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students may select additional modules listed under rule B |
GEOG40760 | Development and the Global South | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students may select additional modules listed under rule B |
GS40110 | Gender, Sexuality, and the Body; The Politics of Belonging | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students may select additional modules listed under rule B |
POL42040 | Gender & the Political System | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students may select additional modules listed under rule B |
ENG41860 | Queer Frictions: Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Literature & Culture | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students may select additional modules listed under rule B |
EQUL40070 | Human Rights Law and Equality | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students may select additional modules listed under rule B |
GS40030 | Gender, Inequality and Public Policy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students may select additional modules listed under rule B |
GS40080 | Culture and Sexualities | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students may select additional modules listed under rule B |
LAW42290 | Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students may select additional modules listed under rule B |
POL41720 | Gender, Peace, and Security | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Students MUST complete one of these option modules - others on this list can be taken as part of the free choice option modules |
EQUL40310 | Masculinities, Gender and Equality | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Students MUST complete one of these option modules - others on this list can be taken as part of the free choice option modules |
GS40110 | Gender, Sexuality, and the Body; The Politics of Belonging | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Students MUST complete one of these option modules - others on this list can be taken as part of the free choice option modules |
GS40030 | Gender, Inequality and Public Policy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Students MUST complete one of these option modules - others on this list can be taken as part of the free choice option modules |
GS40080 | Culture and Sexualities | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Students MUST complete one of these option modules - others on this list can be taken as part of the free choice option modules |
LAW42290 | Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice | Spring | 10 |
Heather Hartwick - Canada, graduate of MA Gender Studies (formerly MA Women, Gender and Society)
My advice to other international students considering the MA Gender Studies is: do it! You will never regret it. I loved the staff; they have been more than helpful and caring. My professors and colleagues have made me feel at home and like I have a network of people to call on if any issues arose, personal or professional. Studying in UCD has offered me such a different dimension of understanding that I would never have experienced in a university in my native country.
Graduate Diploma Gender Studies (W381) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 6880
nonEU fee per year - € 15070
Graduate Diploma Gender Studies (W382) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4450
nonEU fee per year - € 7540
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 6880
nonEU fee per year - € 15070
Graduate Diploma Gender Studies (W382) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4450
nonEU fee per year - € 7540
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
Gender Studies Studies programmes, based in School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice at UCD are aimed at, but not exclusive to, applicants who have already completed an undergraduate degree in sociology, politics, history or other relevant fields and are interested in exploring further how gender plays a crucial role in the way we see the world and in how the world is organised.
Applicants are required to have a minimum of a 2.2 Honours or international equivalent in a honours level Bachelors degree (NFQ Level 8). Applicants whose first language is not English also require proof of English language proficiency. English language certificates and the level of proficiency that the school requires is detailed here.
Applicants should also submit the contact details for two referees, at least one of whom should know you in an academic capacity, as well as a personal statement (circa 4-500 words) explaining why you are interested in studying this course.
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
Gender Studies Studies programmes, based in School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice at UCD are aimed at, but not exclusive to, applicants who have already completed an undergraduate degree in sociology, politics, history or other relevant fields and are interested in exploring further how gender plays a crucial role in the way we see the world and in how the world is organised.
Applicants are required to have a minimum of a 2.2 Honours or international equivalent in a honours level Bachelors degree (NFQ Level 8). Applicants whose first language is not English also require proof of English language proficiency. English language certificates and the level of proficiency that the school requires is detailed here.
Applicants should also submit the contact details for two referees, at least one of whom should know you in an academic capacity, as well as a personal statement (circa 4-500 words) explaining why you are interested in studying this course.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Graduate Diploma Gender Studies:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to | Application Type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W381 Graduate Diploma Gender Studies Graduate Diploma |
Full-Time Commencing September 2024 |
Graduate Taught | Closed |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W382 Graduate Diploma Gender Studies Graduate Diploma |
Part-Time Commencing September 2024 |
Graduate Taught | Not available to International applicantsClosed |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W381 Graduate Diploma Gender Studies Graduate Diploma |
Full-Time Commencing September 2025 |
Graduate Taught | Apply |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W382 Graduate Diploma Gender Studies Graduate Diploma |
Part-Time Commencing September 2025 |
Graduate Taught | Not available to International applicantsApply |
* you can change options at the top of the page