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MA Gender and Politics
Gain a unique insight into the relationship between gender and politics.
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
Respond to the increased salience of sex, gender and sexuality in transnational politics.
This course will provide the opportunity to study the relationship between sex, gender, and sexuality - including their intersection with race, ability and class - within the contemporary postcolonial world order.
You will have the opportunity to take modules that are explicitly focused on the intersection of gender and politics, as well as studying modules centred on key aspects of domestic and international politics in different sub-disciplines in political science.
Course content
This course will give you a firm grounding in the fundamental relationship between gender and politics by taking an intersectional approach.
You'll study 180 credits in total. The course consists of:
- core modules
- option modules
- independent research dissertation
Our option modules will allow you to tailor the course to your interests.
Modules
Core modules
Semester 1 - Gendering Politics: An Intersectional Approach
Semester 2 - Backlash and Co-optation: Feminism, Anti-Racism and Human Rights Politics
Option modules
You will study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
- Women, Citizenship and Conflict
- Feminism and Sexuality
- Africa and International Politics
- Transitional Justice and Human Rights
- New Security Challenges
- Ethics and World Politics
- Justice Legitimacy and Democracy
- Themes and Theories in International Relations
- Governing for the Environment
- Critical Theories of International Political Economy
- Contemporary Issues in International Political Economy
- Comparative Institutions and Public Policy
- Project Placement
- Approaching Women's Studies
Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Dissertation
During the second semester and vacation you'll consolidate your interests in a dissertation on a topic of your choice. You'll have a dissertation supervisor who will provide regular guidance and will be able to comment on your dissertation.
Dissertations could cover topics such as:
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A post-colonial critique of the UK Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative
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'Don’t Let it Distract You': Why Race and Gender Matters in Drone Warfare
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'A man’s world and I am just playing into it!': A Feminist Examination of Women’s Experiences and Behaviours on Mobile Dating Apps
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Transnormativity, Sexuality, and Gender Conformity: Trans Acceptance within the Heterosexual Matrix
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Human Rights and the decriminalization of abortion in El Salvador"
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Race and Gender under Neoliberalism: Austerity and labour in Chile and the UK'
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Human Rights Campaigners and Masculinity: Threat to life, self care and collective action in South American Peasant Movements'
Learning outcomes
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.
Learning outcomes for this course
- Draw on the productive synthesis between the theories and methods offered by the disciplines of politics and gender studies to gain an indepth understanding of sexed, gendered, heteronormative and intersectional structures in domestic and transnational politics. [Skill: Knowledge Base]
- Critically assess, empirically study (where appropriate) and apply theories, concepts and methods developed in gender and LGBTQ+ studies to issues in domestic and transnational politics, such as the rise of the populist radical right, neoliberalism, migration, and the postcolonial order. [Skill: Evaluation]
- Conduct persuasive, systematic and nuanced independent research that is informed by feminist and LGBTQ+ studies methodology and ethics, by conceiving research questions; justifying the use of theories and concepts; generating and interpreting data and reviewing existing literatures. [Skills: Autonomy/Management of Information]
- Identify and employ different feminist and LGBTQ+ studies methodologies of research and enquiry to create and interpret knowledge in political science (including its sub-fields) [Skill: Disciplinary Methodologies]
- Communicate effectively and fluently, demonstrating a sophisticated awareness of the topic and constructing and conveying complex ideas. [Skill: Communication]
- Demonstrate intercultural awareness by critically engaging with differing points of view in light of the values of tolerance and inclusivity. [Skills: Interpersonal, intercultural and professional]
The study of gender as both a topic within and a lens to view politics is a really insightful and interesting endeavor. It makes you consider how the world around you operates differently, and the exposure to a wide range of theorists makes you see things in new and exciting ways!
Rachel Yeldham, former Politics student
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2025/26
| 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) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%).
- International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
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.
Additional costs
If you choose to undertake a placement in the UK through the Project Placement module, you'll need to account for additional costs related to this placement over and above MA tuition fees and living expenses, such as transport and accommodation. Please note that only UK-based placements are offered on this programme.
Although students may decide to purchase some textbooks or other resources, we have an extensive physical and electronic library, so that there is no requirement to do so.
Funding information
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.
Funding opportunities
Chevening Scholarships
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.
Departmental funding
Teaching and assessment
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 format
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and one-to-ones. We offer a personal approach to learning with much of our teaching conducted in small groups (typically fewer than 15 students in a seminar group). Your personal supervisor provides support and guidance throughout your studies, offering weekly feedback and guidance hours.
Research-led teaching
You'll be taught by academics at the forefront of research across a number of political areas such as conflict, security and development, political economy, international politics, political theory and public policy. As international experts in their field, our staff advise governments and organisations and regularly contribute to news and current affairs programmes. Our expertise and experience feed directly into our teaching.
Teaching location
You will be based in the Department of Politics and International Relations on Campus West. Most teaching will take place nearby.
About our campus
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 - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
About our campus
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.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment varies from module to module and includes a combination of exams, written essays and project work.
Your tutors will give you feedback in a variety of forms depending on the specific needs of the module. This may consist of written feedback, in-class discussion, model answers, one-to-one discussions or online responses.
Careers and skills
Our students go on to careers in international organisations, the media, law, the civil service, politics, journalism and business.
This MA course is an excellent pathway to careers in a wide range of private and public sector organisations, and for further academic study.
Career opportunities
Our recent graduates have gone on to work with:
- Government social research officers
- Journalists
- Researchers
- Translators
- Policy Analysts
Transferable skills
- Logical thinking
- Analysis of complex ideas, arguments and theories
- Problem-solving
- The ability to present succinct reports
- Intellectual independence
- Communication skills
- Team work and organisation
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | 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 |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 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 | 478-509, with 444-477 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 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
If you haven't met our 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.
Next steps
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