Master of Arts (Women's and Gender Studies)

Entry Requirements

Masters has two levels of entry into the program. A two-year, 72-unit program is available to applicants with an approved bachelor degree. The one-year program offers a 36-unit program to applicants who have completed one of the following: an honours degree in women’s/ gender studies, a four-year bachelor degree in women’s/gender studies, a Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development, or an approved equivalent.

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic): 6.0 Overall with 6.0 Speaking, 6.0 Writing; TOEFL iBT: 72 Total score with 18 Speaking, 21 Writing; Pearson PTE Academic: 50 Overall with 50 Speaking, 50 Writing; Cambridge C1 Advanced: 169 Overall with 169 Speaking, 169 Writing; Occupational English Test (OET): 300 Speaking, 300 Writing, 300 Reading, 300 Listening; Duolingo (Up to and including Semester 2, 2024): Overall 95-100

Course Details

The Master of Arts (Women's Studies) is a 72-unit program which incorporates the graduate program(s) available in Women's Studies, which may be completed in two years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).

The Master of Arts (Women's Studies) is offered in flexible delivery online with a limited range of optional topics. Students may undertake the course online, mixed mode or fully on campus.

The course is designed to develop an appreciation of the rich, diverse and rapidly growing field of Women's Studies; to extend students' critical understanding and practice within the boundaries of a discipline area; to develop the capacity to apply feminist epistemology with interdisciplinary approaches; and to develop the conceptual and analytical thinking, and the research and writing skills, necessary to complete a successful thesis.

Learning outcomes

Students successfully completing the course will be able to:

• identify and apply interdisciplinary approaches to gender issues
• analyse, evaluate and apply advanced theories of gender and feminism
• identify limitations and strengths in existing scholarship on gender and feminism
• use feminist epistemology to critically analyse gender within disciplinary boundaries
• research issues in advanced gender studies and feminism independently
• communicate complex ideas in speech and writing.

Your career

This course provides you with specialist knowledge which can be applied in the gender and development field or associated areas of employment and/or research. Graduates are suitable for careers in environments that specialise in gender or women’s issues. Women’s Studies will expand your horizons. Graduates are suitable for careers in international development programs, non-government organisations, the public service, foreign affairs, journalism and teaching.

Potential occupations include:

• gender mainstreaming specialist
• women’s project coordinator
• fundraising program officer
• international development officer
• human rights advocate
• women's rights advocate
• writer
• media creator
• women's services worker.

Potential employers include:

• government departments
• non-government organisations
• international development consultancies
• organisations and private sector industries with a gender equality or equal opportunity policy and strategy
• media outlets
• schools and universities.