Gender, Culture & Society MA

The aims of this interdisciplinary programme are:

• To provide students with an advanced understanding of gender as a social and cultural construct
• To facilitate a deepening of knowledge regarding current historical, cultural, sociological, and/or political approaches to the study of gender
• To enable students to critically evaluate theoretical approaches to gender and sexuality
• To support and facilitate independent self-directed learning
• To hone students’ intellectual and generic skills in preparation for further academic/and or professional work
• To work with students towards developing clear plans for career development and employment

Students write a dissertation of ca. 15,000 words in a relevant area – which reflects the conceptual, theoretical and methodological skills acquired through the Masters programme and which displays the ability to use these convincingly. The dissertation topic will be decided through consultation with the course director and other relevant faculty. Students will work individually on the topic under the guidance of an assigned research supervisor.

All elective modules may not be offered if student numbers are too small or if there are irresolvable timetable clashes.
Content of modules can be found by searching the Book of Modules

Primary degree in a relevant discipline with First or Second Class Honours or an approved equivalent qualification (Primary Degree: Level 8 - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland). Candidates must be proficient in English.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria below (no longer than two years prior to application):

Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:

• Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
• Irish Leaving Certificate English –Ordinary Level Grade D or above
• TOEFL – 580 or 90 (internet based)
• IELTS – Minimum score of 6.5* with no less than 6 in any one component.
• English Test for English and Academic Purposes (ETAPP) – Grade C1
• GCE ‘O’ level English Language/GCSE English Language – Grade C or above
• Cambridge Assessment English –Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C / Certificate in Advanced English Grade B
• GCE Examination Boards – Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations – Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate – School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council – School Certificate Pass 1-6

Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements. Contact the International Education Division for advice.

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Career Prospects

The MA aims to equip students with transferable skills which will be attractive to employers in a wide range of occupation areas. The interdisciplinary nature of the MA means that it encourages intellectual flexibility, good imaginative and conceptual abilities, as well as strong interactive, communication, team-working and social skills. The programme also provides a sound basis for doctoral research.

Graduate Tesitmonials

Nicole Lotter, Graduate of the MA in Gender, Culture and Society, Class of 2017/2018 "I would highly recommend the MA in Gender, Culture and Society as it was both inspiring and challenging. It truly was an eye opening experience. It taught me how to critically analyse social and cultural constructs of gender and fostered independent self-directed learning. There was a wide array of modules offered, all of which were very interesting. The international and multi-disciplinary backgrounds of my fellow students made for very interesting debates and provided new perspectives on several important current events and issues. The MA greatly improved my research and writing skills which will be beneficial in the future. I found the lecturers very engaging and extremely supportive."

Alena Kiel, Graduate of the MA in Gender, Culture and Society Class of 2015/6, currently a PhD student at the University of Limerick."The MA in Gender, Culture & Society at UL was the perfect choice to allow me to continue my studies surrounding the representation of transgender people in popular culture by giving me access to a wide range of modules across disciplines. The most important aspect of the program was that I was able to move beyond the basics of ‘gender as a social construct’ into the very real, radical ways we can, given the knowledge base formed as part of the MA, educate the rest of the world to be more tolerant and accepting of gender beyond binaries, and the ways in which resistance to transphobia and heteronormativity can be broadened in myriad important ways to combat other problematic areas of society such as racism, religious intolerance, and class inequality. I would very highly recommend this program to anyone with a strong interest in gender and a desire to do challenging and meaningful work in this sphere of academia."