MSc Gender (Sexuality)

The MSc in Gender (Sexuality) is an interdisciplinary programme that explores sexuality theories and transnational issues of sexual activism and legal frames.

This is a flexible degree, and you’ll develop expertise in gender theories, as well as gaining an understanding of the significance of gender and sexuality in research design.

Throughout the programme, you’ll learn how to treat sexuality as an object of study, as an analytic approach, and as a way of thinking across disciplinary boundaries. Organised around broad themes, you'll be introduced to new developments and critical frameworks such as queer theory, trans* politics and arguments about the "sexualisation of culture" and cultural production.

A key focus of the degree is the ethical and intellectual issues that arise from practicing gender and sexuality studies. In addition to the compulsory courses, you can choose from a range of options, from within and outside of the department, enabling you to develop your own gender studies pathway and focus on key research areas.

Graduates from the MSc have gone on to a variety of careers, including roles in education, teaching and research, as well as in the NGO and charity sectors. Others have pursued careers in consultancy and government (see our graduate outcomes, collected by HESA and collated at the five-year aggregate level).

• J Alexander, Gay Tourism: culture and context (Haworth Press, 2006)
• C Hemmings, "Sexuality section", M Evans et al, eds, Handbook of Feminist Theory (Sage, 2014)
• K Kempadoo, Sexing the Caribbean: gender, race and sexual labour (Routledge, 2004)
• S YP Choi and M Luo, "Performative family: homosexuality, marriage and intergenerational dynamics in China", British Journal of Sociology 67(2): 260-280 (2016)
• J Puar, Terrorist Assemblages: homonationalism in queer times (Duke UP, 2007)
• M Rastegar, "Emotional attachments and secular imaginings: western LGBTQ activism on Iran", GLQ 19(1): 1-29 (2013)
• D Richardson, "Constructing sexual citizenship, theorising sexual rights", Critical Social Policy 20(1): 105-135 (2000)
• L A Stoler, Race and the Education of Desire (Duke University Press, 1995)
• S Stryker and T M Bettcher (eds.), “Trans/feminisms” [Special Issue] Transgender Studies Quarterly 3(1-2) (2016)
• H S "Herukhuti" Williams, "Introduction to afrocentric decolonizing kweer theory and epistemology of the erotic", Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships 2(4): 1-31 (2016)

You'll take two compulsory courses, options to the value of one and a half units and a dissertation.

Established in 1993, the Department of Gender Studies is an internationally renowned hub of research and teaching in the field of Gender Studies. In terms of staff and student numbers, we're considered one of the largest standalone department of our kind in Europe, and our teaching team includes world-class academics and thought leaders exploring the tenacity of gender power relations and gendered inequalities in a period of global transformation.

Currently, we offer eight master's programmes and a stimulating PhD programme, attracting around 150 talented students each year from a huge array of different academic backgrounds and countries. We pioneer intersectional, interdisciplinary and transnational teaching, and students can expect to engage with a wide range of themes during their studies, from established gender theories to emerging topics and current debates. Graduates find rewarding careers in a variety of government, non-government, international NGOs, academic and private-sector organisations.

We have a vibrant research culture, with resident research fellows, visiting scholars as well as multiple public lectures and conferences. Our research is variously positioned in relation to different fields of study within the social sciences and humanities and falls under five broad clusters.

As a department we provide a focus for gender research at LSE and work closely with other departments, centres and institutes within the School, as well as foster links and promote collaboration between policymakers, practitioners and academics around the globe.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of Gender Studies

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
• statement of academic purpose
• two academic references
• CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Please note: The applications, intake and ratio values below include the MSc Gender, MSc Gender (Research) and the MSc Gender (Rights and Human Rights).

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.

There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Summative assessment may be conducted during the course or by final examination at the end of the course. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

You can view indicative details of hours, teaching staff, and assessment in the Calendar within each course guide.

Our Department of Gender Study students go on to work in varied career paths: research and consultancy for government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in developed and less developed countries, international organisations, humanitarian and charity work, personnel work, civil and diplomatic services, representative politics, advocacy, the legal profession, academia, media and communication and in education.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.