Gain an international perspective on gender studies through this unique course.
Year of entry: 2021 (September)
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Book your placeStudy for a prestigious double Masters degree in Women’s and Gender Studies from two leading European women's studies institutions.
This unique qualification, supported by the European Commission, is the first and only Erasmus Mundus ‘Masters of Excellence’ in Women’s and Gender Studies in Europe.
GEMMA is a geographically and culturally diverse consortium of seven different institutions from six different European countries, bringing together distinguished feminist scholars from a range of disciplines in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
The programme will provide you with an extensive and highly-varied learning experience where you will enjoy a breadth of module choice. Its comprehensive design is ideal for students working, or intending to work in areas related to Women's Studies, Gender Studies and Equal Opportunities across the world.
Through interdisciplinary internationally-focused teaching, you’ll develop the critical academic understanding and range of practical competencies required of effective active citizens contributing to gender equality.
This course is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree, meaning that you'll be awarded two MAs at the end of the course - one from each of your chosen institutions.
Indulge your interests with the wealth of global knowledge embedded in the GEMMA network and consortium universities.
GEMMA is recognised as a ‘Masters of Excellence’ by the European Commission, and has been selected as an Erasmus Mundus course three consecutive times.
The GEMMA programme is taught over two years, consisting of four semesters. At the end of the programme, you will gain a double Masters degree, issued by the two institutions where you conduct your studies.
You'll start at any one of the European consortium universities - this will be your home institution. In the second year you’ll spend up to a full year at one of the partner universities. Students spending just half the second year at their mobility university will return to their home university for the second half.
Your choice of specialisation and elective modules will guide your decision in selecting a partner university. The institution's current fields of expertise are:
You'll spend your first year in the 'home' institution. You'll gain a solid understanding in the fundamentals of women's and gender studies by completing all core modules in the first semester. You’ll also complete 60 credits of option modules across the year, totalling 120 credits.
You'll spend either one or two semesters in your selected partner institution - the 'mobility' institution. You'll take 60 credits of option modules at your mobility institution in the third semester, choosing from a range of modules offered by your mobility institution.
These are the modules that are currently available to students who have chosen York as their mobility institution.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
You may return to your home institution in the fourth semester to complete your final dissertation (60 credits). The dissertation should be 20,000 to 30,000 words long, and will be jointly supervised by the home and mobility institutions. Alternatively, you may choose to remain at the partner institution. The dissertation may be written in any of the three official languages of instruction (English, Spanish and Italian), depending on which is your home university for your dissertation.
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.
There are a number of Erasmus Mundus scholarships available. These scholarships cover tuition fees (at both universities), health insurance and part of the living expenses during the two years of study in GEMMA.
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.
Impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)
We hope to deliver this course as advertised for 2021/22 entry, but it’s unclear when we’ll be able to return to a normal timetable. For an idea of how this course might be affected, see our changes for 2020/21 entry.
Teaching is usually in the form of two-hour seminars which include group work and full class discussion. Seminars are led by a single tutor or run collaboratively by a team of academics. Certain modules will include non-assessed oral presentations, helping to develop your academic performance through constructive feedback from tutors and peers.
You will be assigned a personal supervisor and you'll regularly meet with tutors, in seminars and during arranged meetings.
As a student at the Centre for Women's Studies you will have access to a common room shared by students, academics, visitors and other University staff.
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 West, 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 in 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 double MA in Women's and Gender Studies also offers a suitable foundation for graduates wishing to pursue doctoral research.
Our graduates have gone on to work in industries such as:
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:1 or equivalent in a related 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 you wish to study modules during your mobility period that are not taught in English, you will need to demonstrate relevant language skills (level B2) in either Spanish or Italian.
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 | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, minimum 169 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
| Duolingo | 110, minimum 100 in all other components |
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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