MSc Gender, Policy and Inequalities

The MSc in Gender, Policy and Inequalities applies gender theory to social policy, analysis and practice through an interdisciplinary and transnational approach.

You’ll gain a grounded understanding of the concepts and theories relevant to a gender analysis of social policy in a global and comparative context. The programme has a particular focus on the issues facing Europe, where mainstream and critical welfare state literature has a long traditional, as well as topics relevant to other more andless economically developed countries .

Throughout the programme, you’ll be encouraged by faculty to develop critical and independent thought on gender and gender inequalities, while taking compulsory courses in gender, policy, and inequalities. You’ll also be able to choose from a range of optional courses across the Department and the School.

The interdisciplinary nature of gender studies means that you’ll be equipped with a broad range of knowledge and skills that can be applied in a variety of professional and academic settings. Previous graduates have gone on to work in national and local government departments, international institutions (including the EU, the UN and World Bank), the media and publishing, charities, and non-governmental organisations. Others continue to study for PhDs and go on to work in academia.

• S de Beauvoir The Second Sex (Vintage, 1997)
• J Butler Gender Trouble (Routledge, 1999)
• M Daly The Gender Division of Welfare (Cambridge University Press, 2000)
• M Evans and C H Williams Gender: the key concepts (Routledge, 2012)
• M Evans, C Hemmings, H Marsha, H Johnstone, S Madhok, A Plomien and S Wearing The SAGE Handbook of Feminist Theory Sage (London, 2014)
• B Hobson Making men into fathers: men, masculinities and the social politics of fatherhood (Cambridge, 2002)

You're required to follow three half-unit compulsory courses. The first compulsory course, Gender Theories in the Modern World: An Interdisciplinary Approach, provides a foundation in gender theory. The second compulsory course is either Theorising Gender and Social Policy or Gender, Population and Policy. You then choose one out of two policy-focused half units with either a European policy perspective or a critical development studies perspective.

In addition to these compulsory course requirements, you must complete another one and a half units of taught courses. There is a range of optional courses across the School, but no more than one full unit of these can be taken outside of the Department of Gender Studies.

Finally, you'll also need to complete a 10,000-word dissertation on an approved topic. The dissertation should reflect learning from both the social policy and gender components of the MSc.

The Department of Gender Studies is internationally renowned for research and teaching in the field. Ours is the largest department of its kind in Europe.

The department’s research, which is arranged into four main strands, explores the tenacity of gender power relations and gendered inequalities. Our 15-strong faculty team includes world-class academics and thought leaders.

As a department, we offer eight master's programmes and a stimulating PhD programme. Each year, our programmes attract 150 students, from many different academic backgrounds and countries. Teaching covers a wide range of themes, from established gender theories to emerging topics and current debates.

We have a vibrant research culture, with resident research fellows, visiting scholars, public lectures and conferences and regular research seminars.

The department provides a focus for gender research at LSE as well as promoting collaboration between policymakers, practitioners and academics. We work closely with other departments, centres and institutes at LSE and foster strong links with institutions around the globe.

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.

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.

The interdisciplinary nature of gender studies means that graduates are equipped with a broad range of knowledge and skills that can be applied in a variety of professional and academic settings. Our graduates are equipped with critical and analytical skills that are highly valued by a number of employers, including government departments, international institutions (including the EU and World Bank), the media and publishing, charities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private consultancy firms, education and research. Many of our graduates continue to study for PhDs and go on to work in academia.

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.