Postgraduate Study in Gender Studies
What does gender mean to you?
What is gender identity?
Why is there a gender pay gap?
Why are the All Blacks the “national team”?
Gender is a complex element of social and cultural existence with far-reaching implications for the course of our lives. It shapes the work we do and how we spend our leisure time. It affects not only our identities, but our income, our family relationships and friendships, the value and meanings we attach to other people and activities, what we eat and how we dress, and even how we speak. Gender Studies explores categories such as “women”, “men”, “trans”, or “non-binary” and how they can be fundamental to our own and others’ understandings of who we are.
Why study Gender Studies?
At New Zealand's leading Gender Studies programme, we'll surprise you. You'll be introduced to different perspectives on things you've always taken for granted, while you explore television, film, social media, public debate, photography, subculture and fashion as well as scholarly reading.
The staff are enthusiastic! They work interactively, and involve students actively in their own learning. Students are encouraged to think independently and to relate their academic learning to the world they encounter daily.
Gender Studies consistently gains high ratings for student satisfaction with their learning experience.
Topics covered in the core programme include:
- bodies in popular culture
- cultural construction of sexuality
- consumer culture and work
- family life
- gender in the media
- social justice
- intersectionality
- violence
- gender, sexuality and state power
Gender Studies runs a core programme but also introduces you to a whole range of disciplines. A Gender Studies degree can include papers in Sociology, Criminology, Anthropology, Education, English, Film and Media, Geography, History, Law, Politics, and Religion. It's up to you!
Many Gender Studies papers can be credited towards other degree programmes, including majors in Sociology, Film and Media, Politics, Philosophy, and the minor in Criminology.
Gender Studies can be included as a major for a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Arts and Commerce, or a Bachelor of Arts and Science. It is available as a minor subject for several qualifications, including a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Commerce.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Gender Studies as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
A two-semester programme of structured coursework, and in some cases supervised research, extending the knowledge and skills gained from the bachelor’s degree
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
A coursework degree with an optional research dissertation component, usually completed in 12 to 18 months of full-time study, or part-time over a longer period
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
A one- or two-year degree entailing a major research project, culminating in a thesis
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Gender Studies is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
| Dissertation / Studio Project Requirements |
|---|
| GEND 590 Research Dissertation |
| GEND 401 Debates in Gender and Sexuality |
| Two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And 30 further points from: |
| ANTH 423, ANTH 424, ANTH 425, MFCO 408, any SOCI 400-level paper or other approved papers. |
| Papers-Only Requirements |
| GEND 401 Debates in Gender and Sexuality |
| At least two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And 90 further points from: |
| ANTH 423, ANTH 424, ANTH 425, MFCO 408, any SOCI 400-level paper or other approved papers. |
| Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway. |
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Gender Studies or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Gender Studies must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Gender Studies prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
GEND papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEND101 | 2025 | Gender in Everyday Life | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND102 | 2025 | Bodies, Sexualities and Society | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND201 | 2025 | Introduction to Feminist Theory | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND205 | 2025 | Gender and the Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND206 | 2025 | Gender, Work and Consumer Culture | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND207 | 2025 | Masculinities | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND208 | 2025 | Governing Bodies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND209 | 2025 | Critical Victimology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND210 | 2025 | Gender, Crime and Justice | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND234 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| GEND305 | 2025 | Gender and the Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND306 | 2025 | Gender, Work and Consumer Culture | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND307 | 2025 | Masculinities | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND308 | 2025 | Governing Bodies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND309 | 2025 | Critical Victimology (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEND310 | 2025 | Gender, Crime and Justice | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND311 | 2025 | Interventions in Sexual Violence | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND334 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| GEND401 | 2025 | Debates in Gender and Sexuality | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| GEND490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
| GEND590 | 2025 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026) |
Contacts
Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology Programme
Tel +64 3 479 7951
Email sgsw@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/sgc
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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