- - adept readers and thinkers, able to understand, analyse and critically evaluate cultural production and cultural theory in relation to gender and sexuality as well as in relation to other intersecting power structures, such as race, ethnicity, class and migration.
- - effective independent researchers, who can identify a research topic and develop this into a minor thesis project.
- - equipped to understand and also challenge current understandings of gender and sexuality by interrogating cultural identities, such as queer, heterosexual, homosexual, gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered.
- - socially and politically engaged readers, writers and critics who understand and can advocate for the importance of systems of representation in both the maintenance and transformation of gendered systems of power.
- - well-grounded in a diverse range of theoretical, analytical and methodological frameworks for understanding gender, sexuality and culture transnationally and across different societies and geo-political regions.
- Open completion of the programme, students of the MA in Gender, Sexuality & Culture should be: - highly proficient in both established and new approaches to gender studies and sexuality studies as theoretical, cultural, social, political and historical fields of investigation.
This course is available through the following application route(s)
MA Gender Sexuality & Culture offers students an exciting and challenging range of modules where they will explore the theory, history and representation of gender and sexuality in literature, film, drama and popular culture
- Innovative MA on the literary and cultural study of gender & sexuality
- Opportunities for developing inter-disciplinary research
- Wide range of literary and cultural texts studied
About This Course
Recent graduates are working in the following areas, often with a gender/equality/diversity related focus:
Arts, culture, heritage & museums
• Theatre, dance, creative arts, production
• Media/publishing/broadcasting/journalism
• Charities / NGOs / International Aid
• Business /HR/ training
• Public sector – government/EU
Some students have also gone on to study and successfully complete PhD programmes.
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 |
ENG40940 | Gender and Sexuality in Theory and Representation | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ENG42090 | Public Humanities and Ireland | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ENG41860 | Queer Frictions: Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Literature & Culture | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ENG42070 | Dissertation (MA Gender) | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
ENG41570 | World-Systems,World-Literature | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
ENG42160 | Material Girls | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
EQUL40310 | Masculinities, Gender and Equality | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
GS40110 | Gender, Sexuality, and the Body; The Politics of Belonging | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
EDF40060 | Digital Methods | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
ENG42080 | Un/Settling Global Literatures | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
FS40270 | Stardom, Celebrity & Media Culture | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
FS40370 | Media, Gender, and Sexuality | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
GS40080 | Culture and Sexualities | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
HUM40040 | Creative Approaches | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Option List |
SOC41150 | Queering Global Challenges | Spring | 10 |
Katherine Maller
Cultural Programmer
MA 2016
Pursuing a Masters in Literature helped me a great deal in publishing as it put me on the path to a higher-paying and more prestigious job. The gender and sexuality lens I cultivated in my degree has been helpful at both my last job as editor with Routledge and my current job as cultural programmer at the Goethe Institute in New York. The focus on writing and analysis is strong at UCD, helped by the truly stellar faculty and academic support. I feel that in general my master’s education has made me a more considerate and thoughtful person, which is invaluable professionally and fulfilling personally.
Crescent Rainwater, USA,
PhD Candidate UCLA
UCD offered a specialised programme that allowed me to combine my undergraduate English degree with my growing interest in gender and sexuality. I planned to pursue a PhD programme following this MA, and I knew it would offer a unique opportunity to help me to stand out from my fellow PhD applicants. The coursework is primarily based in literary studies, but it helped me to quickly acquire a specialisation and offered diverse range of courses.
The dissertation aspect of the MA was a wonderful opportunity to develop my research interests and write a piece of work that really prepared me for doing a PhD. It gave me an excellent writing sample, pushed me to build on the confidence I had started to cultivate as an undergraduate student, and challenged me to take on the role of a scholar with a voice. Doing my MA at UCD absolutely made all the difference in my acceptance to UCLA’s PhD in English.
MA Gender, Sexuality & Culture (Z162) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 9330
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MA Gender, Sexuality & Culture (Z337) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4660
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.
EU fee per year - € 9330
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MA Gender, Sexuality & Culture (Z337) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4660
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.
This programme is intended for applicants with a background in the humanities, or literature, film studies, cultural studies, visual culture, sociology, anthropology, psychology, psychoanalysis as well as women’s studies, gender studies and sexuality studies. A keen interest in gender and sexuality and an ability to analyse textual representations are the key characteristics required.
- An upper second class honours degree (NFQ Level 8), or the international equivalent is normally required. However, all applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and relevant work experience will be taken into account, so that in certain exceptional cases candidates with a 2.2 or an award at a lower NFQ level, together with experiential learning, may be admitted.
- Applicants wishing to have experiential learning taken into consideration must show evidence of significant appropriate levels of such learning – a CV, portfolio and/or interview may be required.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
- 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
This MA is suitable for Humanities graduates, particularly graduates of Literature, Cultural Studies, Film and/or Visual Culture with a particular interest in gender and sexuality studies.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Gender, Sexuality & Culture:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | Z162 Gender, Sexuality & Culture Master of Arts Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | Z337 Gender, Sexuality & Culture Master of Arts Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |
* you can change options at the top of the page