MA in Gender Studies: Admission, Syllabus, Eligibility, Subjects, Colleges, Careers

• Updated on  Aug 06, 2025, by Manisha Rao

M.A in Gender Studies is a 2-year study for people who are very interested in gender issues, social justice, and acceptance. It is great for students who want to learn more about how gender affects identity, society, politics, and the economy. The course gives students a strong academic background for jobs in study, policymaking, social work, education, the development sector, and human rights groups.

 

The M.A Gender Studies eligibility criteria are that the candidate must have completed a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field with a minimum of 50% marks through a recognized university. Admission to the course is based on both merit and entrance exam scores. Some universities offer admission based on the merit of the candidate; however, some might offer admission based on the valid entrance exam scores of the candidates. Some of the entrance exam that the student need to give in order to pursue the course from a renowned college are CUET PG.

 

The average course fees for the M.A. in Gender Studies range from INR 10,000 – 1,00,00,0 depending on the institute type. Some of the best colleges/institutes offering the MA Gender Studies are Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Amity University, University of Science and Technology.

 

Graduates can expect to make between INR 3 and 6 LPA when they first start working. A professional can make between INR 7 and 12 LPA as a program administrator, policy researcher, teacher, or adviser in a variety of settings, including universities, media outlets, NGOs, and other professional groups.

 

Table of Contents

  1. MA in Gender Studies Key Highlights
  2. What is an MA in Gender Studies?
  3. Why Study an MA in Gender Studies?
  4. Who should study for an MA in Gender Studies?
  5. MA in Gender Studies Eligibility Criteria
  6. MA in Gender Studies Entrance Exams 2025
  7. MA in Gender Studies Colleges in India
  8. MA in Gender Studies Admission Process 2025
  9. MA in Gender Studies Syllabus
  10. MA in Gender Studies Job Opportunities in India
  11. MA in Gender Studies FAQs

 

MA in Gender Studies Key Highlights

Below are the key highlights of the MA in Gender Studies course in India:

Particulars

Details

Course Name

Master’s in Arts in Gender Studies

Course Level

Postgraduation

Duration

2 years (4 semesters)

Course Type

Full-Time

Eligibility Criteria

Completed 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board.

 

Graduate in Gender Studies from any Recognized University

Course Fees

INR 30,600- INR 4,00,000

Top Colleges

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, Mahatma Gandhi University Kerala and Amity University

Job Profiles

Research Associate / Policy Analyst,

 

Program Officer / Project Coordinator,

 

Gender Specialist / Consultant,

 

Assistant Professor / Lecturer,

 

Journalist / Media Analyst

Top Recruiters

PRS Legislative Research, Centre for Policy Research, UN Women, Oxfam, TISS, ActionAid, CARE India, Breakthrough, Azim Premji Foundation, Save the Children, UNDP, NITI Aayog, World Bank, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Amity University, TISS, Ashoka University, The Wire, Scroll.in, Times Group, NDTV, IndiaSpend

Average Salary in India

INR 3-5 LPA (Freshers)

 

What is an MA in Gender Studies?

People who want to learn more about gender, identity, equality, and the social systems that affect people and groups can get an MA in Gender Studies. This is a 2 year program. The course is great for people who want to learn more about culture studies, social justice, research, or work in advocacy, education, or development. This helps students fully grasp gender issues in academic and in real life.

 

Gender and development, sexuality, feminism, and media studies are just some of the many topics that are taught at the school. It pushes students to think deeply about what they are learning and lets them consider different points of view. It helps them learn more about human rights, social processes, and politics. It also makes their study and communication skills better.

 

Why Study an MA in Gender Studies?

Gender Studies is a great field to study for people who care a lot about problems of fairness, identity and equality. Students in this cross-disciplinary class learn both interesting facts and useful skills that can help them get jobs in a lot of different areas. You should think about this program for these reasons:

  • People with an MA in Gender Studies can work in many fields, such as education, the media, government, human rights groups, development agencies and charities. Besides that, it is a good foundation for further study or research.
  • In this course, we look at how sexuality, class, race and gender affect each other in society. It makes them think critically about the social systems they use every day and figure out how to fight and prevent injustice.
  • Students learn about gender issues, feminist groups, and rights-based campaigning on a local and world level as a way to promote social change. This helps them stand out for variety, acceptance, and good change in more places.
  • The college encourages students to think critically, read closely, and study informally. Students learn these skills to deal with tough social issues in a way that is clear, deep, and on purpose.

 

Who should study for an MA in Gender Studies?

Going for an MA in Gender Studies could be the next step for someone who wants to learn more about how gender affects groups, society, and identity. This course is great for people who want to learn more about justice, power, fairness, and equality from a more academic point of view. It works well for:

  • Graduates from fields such as sociology, political science, history, literature, law, or media who want to improve their knowledge about gender theory, intersectionality, and social structures.
  • People who want to be teachers or experts and work in schools, colleges, or think tanks. Students in this class learn the theories and methods they need to teach, write for school, and think critically.
  • People with an interest in public policy, government, or foreign relations who want to help make plans and frameworks for gender-sensitive growth and implementation.
  • People who want to write, report or make material about gender problems, identity politics, and culture need a strong academic background to help them in their creative or reporting work.
  • People who are truly interested in changing society and want to help make it more fair, inclusive, and polite through law, education, the media or community service.

 

MA in Gender Studies Eligibility Criteria

To enroll in an MA in Gender Studies, candidates have to meet some educational and admission requirements. Without fulfilling these criteria, it is not possible to enter the course. Mentioned below are the MA in Gender Studies eligibility criteria:

  • The candidate must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. The student must have achieved a minimum of 50% in aggregate.
  • Admission to this course is based on the valid entrance exam scores. Student may need to have a valid scores in exams such as CUET PG.

 

MA in Gender Studies Entrance Exams 2025

For pursuing an MA in Gender Studies, various national/state/university-level entrance examinations are required to be taken. Colleges and Universities in India offer admission depending on the marks or rank obtained in these examinations.

Exam Name

Application Date

 

(Tentative)

Exam Date

 

(Tentative)

Application Fee

CUET-PG 2025

April 2026

May - June 2026

INR 1400 (Gen)INR 1200 (OBC)INR 1100 (SC/ST)INR 900 (PwD)

 

MA in Gender Studies Colleges in India

Various institutions in India are offering the MA in Gender Studies course; each institute has got some entrance exam criteria for admitting students. Some of the top Master’s in Gender Studies programs in India have been mentioned below, along with their total course fee:

College Name

Location

NIRF Ranking

Annual Course Fees (approx.)

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi

Delhi

-

INR 30,600

University of Science and Technology Meghalaya

Meghalaya

-

INR 1,00,000

Mahatma Gandhi University Kerala

Kerala

-

INR 2,00,000

Amity University

Noida

32 (University)

INR 2,00,000

 

MA in Gender Studies Admission Process 2025

Admission to the course depends on the merit of the candidate. Students with higher merit can easily get admitted to the course. For your reference, given below is the step by step admission process for the Amity University, Noida for your reference:

 

Step 1: See the official website of the college or university for which you are targeting. Usually, applications open between April and July.

 

Step 2: Fill the application form with your grades from the 10th, 12th and graduation. Be sure to upload any necessary documents as scanned copies.

 

Step 3: You may need to submit your application online or go to college individually.

 

Step 4: After testing or depending on your grade, the college will post a list of selected candidates. If you see your name there, they can invite you for counseling or ask you to check your documents. Therefore, keep your original documents.

 

Step 5: If you are accepted, you will get an email from the college. It will have tuition fees, initial date for classes, hostel information and orientation program.

 

Step 6: To confirm your location, pay the admission fee or seat confirmation amount before the time limit mentioned in the letter. In this way, you will secure your place in the program.

 

Required Documents:

  • 10th and 12th mark sheets
  • Graduation Marksheets
  • ID proofs
  • Transfer certificate
  • Character certificate
  • Medical certificate
  • Category Certificate (if applicable)

 

MA in Gender Studies Syllabus

The M.A in Gender Studies curriculum is divied into 4 semesters. The course focuses on the gender issues, social justice, and acceptance.

 

For your reference, given below is the syllabus for the MA in Gender Studies at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala is given below:

Semester I

Semester II

Key Concepts and Debates in Social Sciences

Introduction to research methods(guided field work)

Political Economy of Gender (covers gender and labour)

Introduction to Feminist Theory

Contemporary Issues in Gender

Gender and rethinking disciplines (interdisciplinary approaches in gender)

Introduction to Gender and Sexualities

Gender Rights and Feminist Jurisprudence

Semester III

Semester IV

Feminist Research Methodology(feminist archives and academic writing)

Engendering Keralam

Gender and Development

Reading Feminist Texts

Gender and Religion

-

 

MA in Gender Studies Job Opportunities in India

An MA in Gender Studies can have job roles in multiple fields, including Research Associate / Policy Analyst, Program Officer / Project Coordinator, Gender Specialist / Consultant, Assistant Professor / Lecturer, Journalist / Media Analyst, and others. Some of the common job roles for MA in Gender Studies graduates in India are given below:

Job Title

Recruiters

Experience Level

Average Salary

Research Associate / Policy Analyst

PRS Legislative Research, Centre for Policy Research, UN Women, Oxfam, TISS

0 - 3

INR 4.5 – 7.0 LPA

Program Officer / Project Coordinator

ActionAid, CARE India, Breakthrough, Azim Premji Foundation, Save the Children

2+

INR 5.0 – 8.0 LPA

Gender Specialist / Consultant

UNDP, NITI Aayog, World Bank, Ministry of Women & Child Development

0 - 3

INR 6.0 – 12.0 LPA

Assistant Professor / Lecturer

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Amity University, TISS, Ashoka University

0 - 3+

INR 7.0 – 14.0 LPA

Journalist / Media Analyst

The Wire, Scroll.in, Times Group, NDTV, IndiaSpend

0 - 3

INR 3.5 – 6.5 LPA

 

MA in Gender Studies FAQs

What kinds of projects do people with an MA in Gender Studies work on?

A lot of the time, students write study papers, case studies, field reports, and articles that look at gender issues in law, literature, media, society, or policy. Some talk about things like feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, gender roles in society, or how women are portrayed in movies. In different social situations, some people study how gender interacts with caste, class, faith, or disability.

Do people who are getting an MA in Gender Studies have jobs or projects they can do while they are in school?

It is true that a lot of students work part-time or do jobs while they are in school. They could help with study projects, write papers, work with NGOs, or help with efforts to raise awareness. These things help you get better at talking to people, analysing things, and doing field study. They also give you real-life experience with social problems.

What role do jobs play in getting an MA in Gender Studies?

Most schools encourage interns, but they aren't always required. A lot of the time, students do internships with media outlets, policy think tanks, women's groups, or study institutes. Most of the time, these jobs happen during breaks or in addition to schoolwork. They help students put what they've learnt into practice in the real world.

What can you do once you have your MA in Gender Studies?

Researchers, policy experts, program officers in NGOs, diversity officers, writers, or teachers are all jobs that graduates can get. Some go on to work in the media or with lobbying groups, while others get their PhDs or become teachers. They are able to do their jobs better because they know about equality, inclusion, gender justice and social change.

Do students use any websites or tools during the class?

For study, yes, students do use digital tools such as MS Word, Google Docs, and data analysis apps such as SPSS or NVivo. They use sites like JSTOR, Shodhganga, EPW, and ResearchGate to learn and find information. Students can also use Canva, blogs and social networks to make material for their media and campaign work.

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