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MA Gender Studies

MA (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The MA in Gender Studies 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

  • 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.

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.

Module Type Module   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 Core Modules
 SSJ40010 Feminist & Egalitarian Research Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SSJ40060 Masters Research Project Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 EQUL40310 Masculinities, Gender and Equality Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 GEOG40760 Development and the Global South Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 GS40110 Gender, Sexuality, and the Body; The Politics of Belonging Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 SOC40720 Organised Violence and Society Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 ENG41860 Queer Frictions: Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Literature & Culture Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 EQUL40070 Human Rights Law and Equality Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 GS40030 Gender, Inequality and Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 GS40080 Culture and Sexualities Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 LAW42290 Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Other modules listed under option rule B (below) can be selected
 POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students MUST select one of these option modules, all are also available under rule A
 EQUL40310 Masculinities, Gender and Equality Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students MUST select one of these option modules, all are also available under rule A
 GS40110 Gender, Sexuality, and the Body; The Politics of Belonging Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students MUST select one of these option modules, all are also available under rule A
 GS40030 Gender, Inequality and Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students MUST select one of these option modules, all are also available under rule A
 GS40080 Culture and Sexualities Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students MUST select one of these option modules, all are also available under rule A
 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.

MA Gender Studies (W383) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9330
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MA Gender Studies (W384) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5600
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***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.

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

 

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. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

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.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MA Gender Studies:

ROWCLASS Apply to
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W383
MA Gender Studies
Master of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W384
MA Gender Studies
Master of Arts

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
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