MLitt Gender Studies

• A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

The MLitt in Gender Studies welcomes applicants from a range of disciplinary backgrounds including, but not limited to:

• anthropology
• cultural studies
• history
• liberal arts
• literary studies
• media studies
• philosophy
• politics

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• A CV or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date. 
• A personal statement explaining:  
  why you have applied for this course 
  how it relates to your personal or professional ambitions 
  how your academic and professional background show you have the skills needed to work effectively at postgraduate level. 
• Two original signed academic references on headed paper. 
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more

The University of St Andrews’ global reputation makes its graduates highly valued by employers. The MLitt in Gender Studies provides subject knowledge and applied skills relevant to a range of career paths; it will be of particular interest if you intend to continue to doctoral research. 

In addition to broadening your subject knowledge and applying established techniques of research and enquiry, you will develop and demonstrate essential skills including: 

• critical thinking and creativity 
• analysis and appraisal 
• problem solving and decision making 
• personal leadership and project management 
• interpersonal communication and team working

The University also offers two awards for all students known as the Saints Skills Awards. You can develop a range of skills through the Skills Builder Award or learn how to best articulate them through the Skills Spotlight Award. These skills are highly valued by employers and the awards are a good addition to your CV.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Compulsory

The MLitt is structured around three compulsory taught modules

Semester 1

• Gender Theory: explores the history and theory of gender studies and the ways in which gender is defined, generated, and communicated in different contexts. Explores topics central to gender studies using interdisciplinary methodologies with a special focus on the social sciences.
• Interdisciplinary Topics in Gender Studies: In this module, you will undertake an interdisciplinary exploration of topics that are central to gender studies. You will gain an appreciation of the ways in which issues concerning gender may be applied in different academic disciplines as well as outside of academia. You will learn how to critically examine current issues and controversies surrounding gender and deepen your understanding of the inextricable connections between gender, class, race, ethnicity, sexuality, inequality, and power. Teamwork will play a key part in how the module will be run.

Semester 2

• Gender and Social Theory: explores topics central to gender studies using interdisciplinary methodologies with a special focus on the social sciences.  In this module, you will undertake an interdisciplinary exploration of topics that are central to gender studies. You will gain an appreciation of the ways in which issues concerning gender may be applied in different academic disciplines as well as outside of academia. You will learn how to critically examine current issues and controversies surrounding gender and deepen your understanding of the inextricable connections between gender, class, race, ethnicity, sexuality, inequality, and power. Teamwork will play a key part in how the module will be run.

Optional

Optional modules allow you to broaden your learning in key topics relevant to the MLitt. 

Modules are expected to be offered in the following areas:  

• art history 
• international development 
• film studies 
• philosophy 
• politics 
• international relations

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University’s position on curriculum development). 

The available optional modules will be confirmed before the MLitt start date.

Degree Project

The available optional modules will be confirmed before the MLitt start date. 

The final part of the MLitt is the end of degree project. This takes the form of a period of supervised research where you will explore a gender studies topic in depth. 

Through the project, you will show your ability to undertake sustained critical analysis, develop and improve your research skills, and produce an extended piece of written work that demonstrates a high level of understanding of your area of study. 

You can choose to present your end of degree project in one of the following ways: 

• policy report that emphasises your ability to critically assess gender policy and make convincing recommendations for policy changes 
• multi-media portfolio that emphasises your ability to present gender studies concepts in exciting and engaging ways 
• written dissertation that emphasises your ability to plan and execute academically rigorous research. 

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.