The MA in Women's Studies is offered as a full-time interdisciplinary programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme or as a part-time programme taken over 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme. The teaching team is drawn from a range of departments/schools which may vary from year to year, but has usually come from among the following: Applied Social Studies, English, Folklore, French, History, Law, Philosophy and Sociology.

An applicant will normally have a primary degree of at least Second Class Honours level or the equivalent. Candidates with relevant experience in the areas of community work, industry, or the professions are also invited to apply. Candidates must make an application acceptable to the Board of Women's Studies and all candidates must satisfy a selection committee.

Students will pursue a taught programme that involves research skills training, feminist research methodologies, feminist theory and a series of seminars on Women and Society that address specific themes. These themes vary from year to year, but are likely to be chosen from among the following: Representations of Women in History, Literature and Popular Culture; Motherhood; Women, Work and Family; Women and Violence; Gender and Sexuality; The Women's Movement; Women and Social Policy; Women and Politics.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I
WS6002 Feminist Theory (10 credits)
WS6003 Women in Society I: Contextualising Women in Society (5 credits)
WS6005 Women in Society II: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (15 credits)
WS6007 Research Skills in Women’s Studies (Part 1): Feminist Methodologies (5 credits)
WS6008 Research Skills in Women’s Studies (Part 2) (10 credits)

Part II
WS6004 Dissertation in Women's Studies (45 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Postgraduate Diploma in Women's Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major award)
Candidates who pass Part I and opt not to proceed to Part II of the Master's programme may register for WS6006 (15 credits) and, on successful completion of WS6006, be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Women’s Studies. Students must submit WS6006 assignments (project or project and conference report) to the Department by the second Friday in September in the same academic year or may register for WS6006 in the following academic year (part-time), following completion of Part I. Candidates who pass Part I and opt to proceed to Part II of the Master's programme and who fail, or fail to submit, Part II may register for WS6006 in the following academic year (part-time), and upon successful completion, will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Women's Studies.

Postgraduate Certificate in Women's Studies (NFQ Level 9, Minor award)
Students who pass taught modules to the value of at least 30 credits may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Women's Studies.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MA in Women's Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Formulate arguments that reflect a critical and comprehensive, interdisciplinary knowledge of feminist debates around social and cultural issues;
• Communicate those arguments effectively both orally and in writing;
• Apply concepts, theories and methodologies appropriately at postgraduate level;
• Assess how differences (race, ethnicity, class, sexual identity, time, place, values etc.) inform theoretical positions;
• Critically evaluate evidence drawn from existing research and scholarship;
• Design and pursue independent research;
• Utilise those transferable skills developed through engagement with the self-directed learning, research and academic writing aspects of the course.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Women’s Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Formulate arguments that reflect a critical and comprehensive, interdisciplinary knowledge of feminist debates around social and cultural issues;
• Communicate those arguments effectively both orally and in writing;
• Apply concepts, theories and methodologies appropriately at postgraduate level;
• Assess how differences (race, ethnicity, class, sexual identity, time, place, values etc.) inform theoretical positions;
• Apply evidence drawn from existing research and scholarship;
• Utilise those transferable skills developed through engagement with the self-directed learning and academic writing aspects of the course to design and pursue a directed study project.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Women's Studies (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Formulate arguments that reflect a critical and comprehensive, interdisciplinary knowledge of feminist debates around social and cultural issues;
• Communicate those arguments effectively both orally and in writing;
• Apply concepts, theories and methodologies appropriately at postgraduate level;
• Assess how differences (race, ethnicity, class, sexual identity, time, place, values etc.) inform theoretical positions;
• Apply evidence drawn from existing research and scholarship.