Master of Arts (Women's and Gender Studies)

On completion of the course, you will be able to:

• Appraise interdisciplinary approaches to gender and feminism.
• Assess advanced theories of gender and feminism.
• Evaluate limitations and strengths in existing scholarship on gender and feminism.
• Assess questions of gender and gendered lived experience using feminist epistemology.
• Produce a coursework research thesis or project in the field of Women's and Gender Studies.
• Evaluate complex ideas using language appropriate to the field of Women's and Gender Studies.

Flinders’ Master of Arts (Women’s & Gender Studies) will help you develop the skills and knowledge to think critically on issues of gender and its intersections with sexuality, class, embodiment and racial differences. These are essential in all professions and workplaces that engage with social justice, human rights, creativity and gender equality.

Offered both in-person and online, this Master of Arts explores critical analyses of gender in a time when it is more important than ever to question taken-for-granted assumptions to build a more hopeful and just future.

The course explores the concept of gender, different types of feminism and feminist activism, feminist philosophy, gender mainstreaming, disability, media representation, Indigenous knowledges, sexualities and LGBTIQA+ issues, all understood through intersectional approaches, to help us understand who we are, and how we can better advocate for personal, local, national and global justice and transformation.

Recommended study pattern

The Master of Arts (Women’s Studies) offers a combination of coursework and a minor thesis. You’ll study 16 topics that cover areas such as feminist questions, gender and international development, Indigenous women, and media analysis.

Year 1

Flexible Core : 4 topics

Elective Subjects : 4 topics

Year 2

Core Subject: Women's studies Reading Topic A or Women's Studies Reading Topic B

Flexible Core: 4 topics

Elective Subjects: 3 topics

Research Core topics:

• Communicating Research
• Research Thesis (4.5/18 units)
• Research Thesis (4.5/18 units)
• Research Thesis (4.5/18 units)
• Research Thesis (4.5/18 units).

Flexible Core: 2 topics

Option: select 1 topic from either the Option list of Flexible Core list.

Flexible Core topic examples

• Gender Analysis
• Gender Mainstreaming
• Memory and the Politics of Difference: Sex, Race and Belonging GE
• Gender, Power and Change: Introducing Feminist Debates GE
• Sex, Gender and Identities in Australia GE.

Option topic examples

• Postgraduate English Enhancement
• Cultural Policy and the Arts GE
• Disability, Rights and Embodiment
• Design and Evaluation of Disability Programs
• Planning Change in Organisations.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Arts (Women's and Gender Studies), a student must complete 72 units Pass (P) or Non-Graded Pass (NGP) or better in each topic, following the program of study detailed in the course handbook.

Exit points

The course specialisation articulates with the 18 unit Graduate Certificate in Gender Mainstreaming Policy and the sequentially developed topics enable progression through the two awards.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $53,802

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Flinders University is a globally-focused, locally-engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. They offer world‐class education that develops the critical and creative thinking skills to support a student’s success. Their courses offered through Open Universities Australia span business, education and law. They are designed with flexibility in mind, while delivering the advanced qualifications to take careers to the next step.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

20

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from an Australian university or an overseas institution.
• Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma pathway: Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Gender Mainstreaming, Policy and Analysis or the Graduate Diploma in Gender Mainstreaming, Policy and Analysis may provide entry into the master's degree, with credit granted for completed topics.

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants: 

• first language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language)
• completed secondary schooling in Australia
• completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution)
• completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution 
• completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program 
• performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements 
• registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia)
• achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university
• completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider.

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience.

Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.