Overview and entry requirements

This online MA Gender, Sexuality in Global Politics programmes provides a comprehensive understanding of the deployment of gender and sexuality in areas related to global politics. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the deployment of gender and sexuality in areas related to global politics. Informed by feminist approaches to knowledge production, International Relations, International Law, conflict resolution, peace-building, political participation, human rights, development and society the programme encompasses micro, meso and macro levels of analysis.

This unique interdisciplinary MA programme offers critical grounded knowledge of gender and sexuality in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with a focus on the nexus between gender, sexuality and social, political and economic change and development. This online MA degree prepares students for jobs in government agencies, non-governmental organisations, UN bodies and international organisations. Taught by leading scholars and drawing on SOAS expertise in the Global South, the programme provides students with a non-Eurocentric approach to addressing key debates in the field.

Who should apply

The MA Gender, Sexuality in Global Politics online programme is designed for recent graduates as well as professionals who are looking to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for careers in government, education, NGOs, media and the UN.

See Centre for Gender Studies

Start of programme: April and October

Mode of Attendance: Online Learning

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

This programme is taught 100% online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

In the VLE you will have access to learning materials and course resources anytime so you can fit your studies around your existing commitments. For each module, students will be provided with access, through both the SOAS Library and the University of London’s Online Library, to all necessary materials from a range of appropriate sources.

A key component of the student experience will be peer to peer learning, with students enrolled in discussion forums.

Study timetable

In addition to a dedicated Associate Tutor, a Study Timetable is provided for each module and for the overall programme to help you to organise your time.

The programme is broken down into two study sessions per year (starting April and October). Each subject module lasts 16 weeks, followed by a research mini module lasting 8 weeks.

Sample study timetable

Assessment

Each module is assessed by five written online assessments (‘etivities’*) comprising of 30%, the remaining 70% is formed of a 5,000 word essay.The etivities provide formative and summative feedback to students as a means of monitoring their progress and encouraging areas in which they can improve.

* An 'e-tivity' is a framework for online, active and interactive learning following a format that states clearly to the students its 'Purpose'; the 'Task' at hand; the contribution or 'Response' type; and the 'Outcome' (Salmon, G. (2002) E-tivities: The Key to Active Online Learning, New York and London: Routledge Falmer.)

Research training and dissertation

Research training is a key feature of this programme, the dissertation module is presented in four development parts, which will follow each of your module sessions. Research modules one and three are formative modules only, and are not assessed.

The dissertation is assessed by the submission of a written dissertation of no more than 15,000 words, excluding the bibliography and appendices, which will account for 85% of the mark awarded for the module (research module four). The remaining 15% of the module mark will be based on the mark obtained for a 1,500 word research proposal (research module two).

The research proposal is compulsory for students going on to do a PGDip or MA. MA students must submit a dissertation at the end of research module four.

Tuition fees

*PGDip and PGCert are available as exit awards. Interested students should get in touch directly with the course team.

Pay as you learn

Our online programmes can be paid in full at the time of enrolment or on a pay as you learn basis. Pay as you learn means you pay for modules prior to enrolment (£3,000 each).

Postgraduate loans

If you have been a resident in England for three years you may be eligible. For more information, please see Fees and Finance..

Employment

Graduates leave SOAS with an enhanced knowledge of gender and equality across cultures, as well as a wide range of transferable skills. Gender Studies is highly regarded by employers across many sectors, as increasingly, policy makers, businesses and governing structures understand the need to engage with gender and sexuality.

Recent Gender Studies graduates have been hired by:

• ActionAid
• Amnesty International
• Association for Women’s Rights in Development
• Commission for Gender Equality
• Euromet Feminist Initiative
• International Organization for Migration
• International Rescue Committee
• Raising Films
• The Children’s Society
• The Guardian

Find out about our Careers Service.

How to apply 2022

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Deadlines for applications

Application and enrolment deadlines as well as session start/end dates can be found on our Online and Distance Learning key dates page.

Your completed application will be reviewed by a member of academic staff. If your application is successful, we will send you an official offer within ten working days and you will be asked to submit the relevant supporting documentation. Once in receipt of our offer, we recommend submitting your documents immediately.

Supporting documentation for applications

1. Degree certificates

We require documentation confirming the award of all qualifications listed in your application, which can either be your certificate or academic transcript. This must show: the name of the university, programme studied and the grade/classification you attained. If your university cannot issue official documents in English, we will require a certified translation in English of your degree certificate/transcript.

You can send us either original or certified copies of your documents. If you send original documents and you would like these to be returned to you, please state this in your covering letter.

If you send certified copies, please ensure that each document has been stamped and verified by one of the following:

• British Council official (find the location of your nearest British Council office)
• Local British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission
• Notary Public
• The issuing university (in the case of academic qualifications)

2. Copy of an identification document

This must be either your passport or birth certificate. This does not need to be certified, and may be sent to us via email.

Note: If your name as stated on your academic documents does not match that given on your identification document, we will also require documentary evidence (such as a marriage certificate) that supports your change of name.

3. Copy of English language proficiency certificate

If your degree was not taught and assessed in English, you will need to submit evidence of your English language competency. This should be either an IELTS or TOEFL certificate (you will need an IELTS overall score of 7.0 including 7 in both reading and writing). This does not need to be certified and may be received via email.

4. References

We may also request that you provide us with references in support of your application. They should be from an individual who knows you on an academic basis. However, if you graduated more than three years ago we will accept a professional reference.

Your reference should include an opinion (in English) on your academic and personal suitability for the proposed programme of study.

Please note that, if necessary, we reserve the right to verify your qualifications with the relevant awarding body and to request further information from you about your background.

5. CV

Please include a detailed CV that lists your employment and educational background including dates.