Think about gender and feminism in new and exciting ways.
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
Join us online or in person to find out more about postgraduate study at York.
Upcoming eventsExplore the challenges, developments and possibilities of this evolving subject. You'll address a diverse range of theoretical and methodological approaches to women's and gender studies, challenging your assumptions and academic understanding.
This MA offers the opportunity to study the complex issues and debates within women’s and gender studies and gain a critical understanding of the intersections between feminist thought and wider social and cultural debates. An emphasis on practical research and feminist methodologies will equip you with the advanced research skills to enable you to conduct a substantial piece of independent research.
This is an interdisciplinary programme where students can select option modules taught within the Centre for Women’s Studies (CWS), English and Related Literature, Sociology, and other departments.
Explore perspectives across disciplines, led by academics actively engaged in a variety of fields
Forge deeper connections with alumni at the CWS and cultivate your learning at our Feminist Research and Careers Skills (FRACS) workshops
This course is designed to challenge preconceptions, broaden understanding and encourage reflection on the wider ethical implications of feminist research, including power relations and your own positionality as a researcher.
The modules will allow you to interrogate key issues and concerns within women's and gender studies, introducing you to a diversity of methods and perspectives from across the arts, humanities and social sciences that you can employ in your own research. You'll pay particular attention to the concept of gender and how it is interpreted, interpreted through an intersectional lens. You will also develop the practical, advanced research skills to undertake your own research project within the area, adopting a reflexive practice and a critical awareness of the politics of research.
The programme's interdisciplinary and cross-cultural scope is inclusive to all students, regardless of background, culture or existing knowledge and competencies. We foster a diverse and engaging learning experience for all.
You will also take a compulsory IT Session and Academic Integrity Module to ensure you have a basic knowledge of academic requirements and the digital literacy skills to optimise your learning and engagement with the course’s resources.
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
The final stage of the MA is the completion of a 12,000-word dissertation.
This is an opportunity to further develop and apply your skills to a research question and specialise in a particular area of research.
Past dissertation research projects have included:
You will be supported by your allocated dissertation supervisor who will provide supervisions and read drafts of your work. You'll be invited to attend the ‘Sisterhood in Action’ conference to discuss your provisional dissertation topic and research with staff and PhD students.
Further dissertation support and independent research skills development will be available throughout the year, in modules such as Feminist Research Methodologies and the CWS extracurricular skills workshop series, alongside additional support from the University Library, Writing Centre, and other student services.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
I would recommend the course to anyone whether they thought it was their chosen discipline or not as the content was so interesting and relevant.Sara, MA Women's Studies
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £11,200 | £25,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£5,600 | £12,950 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
You may wish to buy any textbooks used in your modules, although this is not compulsory.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Teaching is usually in the form of two-hour seminars which include group work and full class discussions. Seminars are led by a single tutor or run collaboratively by a team of academics.
You will be assigned a personal supervisor and you'll regularly meet with tutors, in seminars and during arranged meetings.
We have our own dedicated Centre for Women's Studies space, with a kitchen for CWS student and staff use, a PG workspace and a small feminist library and archive. The building in which CWS is located is light and spacious with plenty of seating for socialising, post-seminar discussion and private study.
All of our module materials are available in the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
You will be based in the Centre for Women’s Studies on Campus East, where most of your teaching will take place.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You’ll be assessed in a number of different ways, depending on the modules you study.
Forms of assessment include:
We pride ourselves on delivering detailed written and verbal feedback to all of our students. Whenever you complete an assessment you are encouraged to discuss your work with the tutors to improve your learning.
You’ll also receive feedback on assignments that don’t count towards your final grade, helping you to understand your strengths and identify areas for improvement.
Our programmes emphasise a feminist sensitivity to difference and power relations, advocating transferable skills applicable to the realms of public engagement and career development. You will learn to analyse your own preconceptions and engage with a wide variety of social/political issues, facilitating your development into responsible global citizens.
Fostering enhanced analytical and critical thinking skills, and the ability to communicate complex ideas with nuance and awareness of difference and diversity, this MA in Women's Studies also offers a suitable foundation for graduates wishing to pursue doctoral research.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in a relevant subject. |
| Other qualifications and experience | Applications from those with other qualifications may be considered on their merits. Applications are also welcomed from mature students and those returning to education. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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