Centre for Gender Studies

MA Gender Studies and Law (2022 entry)

Select year of entry: 2022 2021

Overview

Overview and entry requirements

The MA Gender Studies and Law at SOAS is a unique programme, its principal aim being to re-focus issues prioritised in western Gender Studies and Legal Theory on the complex specificities of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. Jointly housed by the Centre for Gender Studies and the School of Law, the programme offers the specialised study of gender and law in relation to the cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, together with rigorous training in, and questioning of, contemporary gender theory. In terms of gender theory, it offers a solid foundation with sufficient breadth and depth to facilitate a range of specialist pathways. In terms of specialisation, it draws on the expertise of internationally recognised scholars of Asian, African and Middle Eastern Studies at SOAS.

The MA Gender Studies and Law at SOAS caters for students with a variety of backgrounds and objectives:

those coming from Women’s Studies or Gender Studies who wish to engage more deeply with gender theory in relation to regional specialisation and to connect this with legal knowledge, especially, but not exclusively, the societies of Asia, Africa and the Middle East
those coming from Asian, African or Middle Eastern Studies who wish to incorporate the study of gender and law into their own areas of expertise
those having previously trained in particular disciplines, such as Anthropology, Comparative Literature, Cultural and Media Studies, History, Politics, Religious Studies, Sociology, Refugee/Diaspora Studies etc.

See Centre for Gender Studies

Why study MA Gender Studies and Law at SOAS

SOAS offers specialised research training in Gender Studies, in addition to focused study of feminist legal theories and a particular area of law. This pathway is suitable for students considering advanced postgraduate research in Gender Studies with a regional specialisation
a broad MA programme for students with some background in Women’s Studies, Gender Studies, and Area Studies etc. who wish to enhance their knowledge of gender in relation to cross-cultural legal issues
a special interest MA, which enables students to study gender issues in depth in relation to a particular regional or disciplinary specialisation alongside the acquisition of knowledge of feminist legal approaches and a study of a legal sub-discipline.

For further information email: na@soas.ac.uk

Programme Code: PGTF0038/PGTP0057/PGTP0058

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Email: na@soas.ac.uk

Entry requirements

We will consider all applications with a 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in social science of humanities subject. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

Please see our 'postgraduate entry requirements' page for Overseas and EU qualifications and equivalencies.

Featured events

duration:: One calendar year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Fees 2022/23

Home students fees:: £11,980

Overseas students fees:: £23,400

Fees for 2022/23 entrants. This is a Band 1 fee. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. Further details can be found on the Postgraduate tuition fees page

Convenors

Dr Sidonia Lucia Kula Convenor

Q&A

Introducing MA Gender Studies and Law

Course convenor Gina Heathcote outlines what students can expect who decide to join the MA Gender Studies and Law programme at SOAS.

Loading the player...

Q&A with Gina Heathcote - MA Gender Studies and Law

Structure

Students take courses to the value of 120 credits and a dissertation worth 60 credits which amounts to the total 180 credits required to complete the degree programme.

All students take the Preliminary course in law, legal reasoning and legal methods. This is a compulsory component which runs as an intensive two-week course in September, prior to the start of term.

All students take the compulsory core courses Gender Theory and the Study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Dissertation Methods for Gender Studies, and Gender Sexuality and Law: Theories and Methodologies. Further options include a wide range of gender and gender-related courses from a comprehensive list. Students also choose one Law option from the general MA in Law list (subject to course convenor approval).

Upon completion of coursework and written examinations in May/June, students will write a 12,000 word dissertation based on material acquired from their courses.

Dissertation

Students must complete a Dissertation (10,000 words) in Gender Studies, which should be based on material acquired from their courses

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Dissertation in gender studies	15PGNC999	60	Full Year

Taught Component

Core Modules

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Gender theory and the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East	15PGNC002	30	Full Year
Gender, Sexuality and Law: Theories and Methodologies	15PLAH062	15	Term 1
Dissertation Methods for Gender Studies	15PGNH008	15	Term 2

Compulsory Module

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Preliminary Law, Legal Reasoning and Legal Methods	15PLAC162	0	Term 1

AND

Choose a module(s) from the List 1 below to the value of 30 credits

AND

Choose a module(s) from the List 2 below to the value of 30 credits

Students may select 30 credits from SOAS online-learning modules. This is subject to approval from the programme convenor

List of Modules (subject to availability)

List 1

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Gender and Development	15PDSH010	15	Term 1
Gender and the Law of War	15PGNH005	15	Term 1
Queering Migrations and Diasporas	15PGNH002	15	Term 2
Gender, Protest, and Revolution in the Middle East	15PGNH001	15	Term 1
797B From Theory to Practice and Back: Work Placements in Migration Research	15PGNH010	15	Term 2
Gender and the Law of Peace	15PGNH013	15	Term 2
Genders and Sexualities in South East Asian Film	15PSEH011	15	Term 1
Gender, Sexuality and Law: Selected Topics	15PLAH061	15	Term 2
Historical Perspectives on Gender in Asia, Africa and the Middle East	15PHIH029	15	Term 2
Queer Politics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East	15PGNH007	15	Term 2

List 2

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Alternative Dispute Resolution	15PLAC104
Colonialism, Empire and International Law	15PLAH025	15	Term 2
Foundations of International Law	15PLAH021	15	Term 1
Human Rights and Islamic Law	15PLAC150	30	Full Year
International Protection of Human Rights	15PLAC119 - not running in 2021/22	15
Law and Development in Africa	15PLAC160	30	Full Year
Law, Religion, and the State in South Asia	15PLAC129	30	Full Year
Water and Development: Commodification, Ecology and Globalisation (Development Studies)	15PDSH049	15	Term 2
Water Justice: Rights, Access and Movements (Law)	15PLAH044	15	Term 1
Climate Change Law and Policy	15PLAC154	1.0
International Commercial Arbitration	15PLAC153	30	Full Year
International Criminal Law	15PLAH055	15	Term 1
International Investment Law	15PLAH063	15	Term 1
Law and Postcolonial Theory	15PLAH050	15	Term 2

Programme Specification

MA Gender Studies and Law Programme Specification 2018/19 (pdf; 227kb)

Important notice

The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.

Teaching and Learning

Materials

Students will have access to a wealth of study resources available in the SOAS Library and in nearby institutions such as the British Library, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University College London Library and Senate House Library.

Teaching & Learning

Courses are taught by a combination of methods, principally lectures, tutorial classes, seminars and supervised individual study projects.

Each taught course has its own approved methods of assessment, designed to address the particular learning outcomes of that course. Assessment methods may include essays, weekly reaction papers, unseen, seen or take-home examinations, research projects, individual or group presentations, translations, learning journals, oral examinations etc., as appropriate.

Students are also required to attend regular seminars organised by the Centre for Gender Studies, details of which are included in the handbook and further details of which are advertised on the Centre’s website and notice board.

Learning resources

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for 2022/23 entrants, per academic year (Band 1 tuition fee)

Full-time		Part-time 2 Years		Part-time 3 Years
Home Students	Overseas Students	Home Students	Overseas Students	Home Students	Overseas Students
£11,980	£23,400	£5,990	£11,700	£3,955	£7,725

Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second and subsequent years of study will be higher.

Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.

For full details of postgraduate tuition fees see our postgraduate tuition fees page.

Scholarships

Felix Non- Indian Scholarship

Application Deadline: 2022-01-28 15:00