Overview
Gender studies explore some of the great debates of our time. With growing commitment to gender equity and social justice comes a demand for gender expertise (source: Gender Equality at Every Stage).
This MLitt Genders and Sexualities course blends research skills with feminist and queer theory. You’ll study gender and queer identities in fields like media, history, literature, sociology, and curation. The course also explores gender and sexual debates and practices worldwide.
We’ll empower you with critical thinking skills to understand how gender and sexuality shape and challenge our world.
Difference between MLitt and MSc
MLitt core modules offer a broad framework based on feminist and queer theory.
If you choose the MSc degree route, you’ll take two additional core modules on research methods. These focus on quantitative and qualitative data analysis. These skills are crucial if you want to do further postgraduate research in social sciences.
Ideas, debate and concepts
You’ll engage in contemporary and international debates across a wide variety of disciplines. The University of Stirling’s Queer Reading Group organises events in collaboration with Creative Scotland. These can include debates on topics such as queer appropriation and cultural borrowing. The Queer Studies Reading Group meets regularly to discuss theoretical readings and key texts.
Thought-provoking field trips
We use trips to explore real-world situations and issues to frame your learning. We regularly review trips and past examples include:
- Glasgow Women’s Library
- National Library of Scotland: Moving Image Archive
- Scottish Queer International Film Festival
- Radical Independent Community bookstores
Boosting your employability
- Enhance your digital skills through digital projects and designing campaigns.
- Work with unique materials in feminist and queer archival collections.
Boost your employability further with the optional Research Placement module. You will work with a non-academic organisation on a research-led project. You will apply research skills to real-life strategic and organisational issues. Previous organisations students have worked with include:
- Glasgow Film Festival
- Glasgow Women’s Rape Crisis Centre
- Zero Tolerance
- The Ferret
Comprehensive employability and skills programme
Our employability and skills programme to helps you to develop the attributes that employers look for. In the Faculty of Arts and Humanities we have a dedicated Employability and Skills Officer. The University of Stirling’s Careers Service works in partnership with academic staff to ensure you are ready for the employment market.
Top reasons to study with us
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate work experience are encouraged to apply.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
This course combines interdisciplinary core modules on gender theory, feminist research and philosophy, LGBT+ studies and queer theory, with optional modules from a range of disciplinary traditions.
Modules
Teaching
The core modules for this gender studies Masters degree are delivered in weekly in-person seminars. This may combine delivery of lecture material and small group tasks and discussions.
We also have regular guest speakers from research and activist areas of social politics.
Fieldwork
Some examples of field trips include (indicative list subject to regular review):
- Glasgow Women’s Library
- National Library of Scotland: Moving Image Archive
- SQIFF (Scottish Queer International Film Festival)
- Glasgow Film Festival
- Glasgow Women’s Rape Crisis Centre
- Zero Tolerance
- The Ferret
- Radical Independent Community bookstores
Assessment
Throughout the course, you’ll encounter various types of assessments, including learning logs, reviews, presentations (both individual and group), curation projects, reflective essays, literature reviews, research assignments, and standard academic essays. These assessments serve two purposes: they help you develop academic and practical skills, and they offer multiple chances for feedback and growth.
Most modules have more than one final assessment, which gradually builds your understanding and achievement of the stated learning goals. Clear assessment criteria are provided for each task to ensure transparency in the grading process. Additionally, you’ll have Feedback and Guidance sessions with teaching staff, where you can discuss your progress and receive further input.
Course director
Key staff
Dr Jacky Collins’ research engages with genders and sexualities in Spanish written and visual cultures and she has a particular interest in detective fiction.
Dr Darren Elliott-Smith specialises in film and television, gender studies/queer theory and has significant research interests in the Gothic and Horror.
Dr Eamon McCarthy’s research explores genders and sexualities across the Spanish-speaking world, with a particular focus on Argentina.
Dr Fiona Noble is an interdisciplinary researcher of contemporary Spanish cinema and audiovisual cultures interested in questions of identity and representation.
Dr Nikolaos Papadogiannis’ research focuses on Europe in the 1960s and 1970s from a transnational perspective, including protest cultures, travel, youth lifestyles, gender, sexuality, migration, emotions and European identities.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Dr Dee Amy-Chinn Gender Studies Scholarship
Students of the MLitt and MSc Gender Studies (Applied) can apply for
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Graduates with a Masters degree in gender studies can pursue careers in various fields, including:
- education and academia
- policy design and development
- NGOs
- communications and media
- healthcare and social work
- corporate sector
- legal and advocacy work
- research and analysis
These sectors offer opportunities to promote gender equality and inclusivity.
Annual salaries will vary depending on the role:
- Policy Analyst: Typically earns up to £55,000, with the average salary around £35,503
- Communications Specialist: Salaries average £35,000
- Human Resources Manager: Generally, earns between £35,000 and £50,000
- Researcher: Salaries usually range from £30,000 to £45,000
- NGO Program Coordinator: average salaries c. 25,000
(source: Payscale.com)
Stirling graduates have gone on to work in areas such as:
- third sector and charity work
- local government and policy making
- education and professional services
- publishing
- museums, galleries and curation
- further study (PhD) and academia
Examples of some of their roles include:
- Senior Policy Adviser
- CEO of Advocacy Services
- Children and Young Person Outreach Worker
- Policy and Events Adviser
- Domestic Abuse Advocate
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