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Study Gender Studies at Otago

    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.

    Career opportunities

    Realise your ideas to create value in the real world by working in:

    • Policy development and analysis
    • Human rights
    • Trade union and EEO work
    • Education
    • Human resources
    • Health and community advocacy
    • Business and management
    • Journalism and the media
    • Marketing and advertising
    • Arts, entertainment and museum work

    Gender Studies will also enable you to develop personal and professional skills that are highly valued by employers:

    • The ability to think broadly, critically and creatively
    • Appreciation of diverse points of view
    • The ability to analyse and participate in debate
    • Research skills
    • Clear and effective written expression
    • Verbal reasoning, verbal address
    • Team work

    The critical perspectives and knowledges gained through training in Gender Studies are also applicable well beyond specific career contexts.

    A Gender Studies major or minor provides you with skills that will prove useful through all aspects of your life.

    Recommended background

    All students are welcome to study Gender Studies at Otago. No prior knowledge is required.

    Choose a study option

    Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Undergraduate qualifications

    For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

    Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.

    Ready to apply?

    Take the first step towards your future in this subject.

    Further study opportunities

    Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-levelGEND 101 Gender in Everyday Life 18
    GEND 102 Bodies, Sexualities and Selves 18
    200-levelGEND 201 Introduction to Feminist Theory 18
    Two other 200-level GEND papers, one of which may be replaced with ANTH 206, GEOG 210, HIST 215, HIST 234 , MFCO 212, POLS 202, RELS 209, or any 200-level SOCI paper 36
    300-level Four of 300-level GEND papers, one of which may be replaced with ANTH 322, ANTH 327, EDUC 318, ENGL 331, MFCO 301 , RELS 309, or any 300-level SOCI paper 72
    Plus 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. 198
    Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts  
    Total 360

    A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.

    Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.

    You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.

    Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

    LevelPapersPoints
     

    Five GEND papers, at least three of which must be above 100-level, including at least one above 200-level

    90

     One 100- or 200-level GEND paper may be replaced by one of the following: ANTH 205, CRIM 201, GEOG 210, HIST 215, HIST 226, HIST 234, MFCO 212, RELS 209, ANTH 322, ANTH 327, EDUC 318, ENGL 331, MFCO 301, RELS 309, any 200 or 300-level SOCI paper 
    Total 90

    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)

    More information

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