Gender Studies

  • Master
  • Social Sciences

The Master in Gender Studies proposes a gender-based reading of the social world and its power relations. Social interaction between the sexes is a central aspect of all societies and is therefore a vital research focus for the social and human sciences. The goal of the Master's programme is to provide students with the concepts and tools for understanding and analysing current social trends from an interdisciplinary perspective. In line with this objective, students are taught to apply shared concepts, formulate targeted research enquiries to explore gender-related issues, and mobilise the methodologies of various disciplines.

Programme length

2 years (4 semesters)

Language of instruction
French

Working knowledge of English is recommended.

4 semesters (max. 6 semesters) | 120 ECTS credits

Required courses (54 credits)

  • Actualité du genre et des sexualités: perspectives intersectionnelles
  • Atelier de préparation au mémoire et atelier d'intervention professionnelle
  • Cycle de conférences scientifiques en études genre
  • Enquêter en études genre: méthodes, théories et épistémologies
  • Genre et politique: théories féministes
  • Géographie du genre et des sexualités: corps, espaces et rapports sociaux
  • Sociologie du genre
  • Travail et genre. Dynamiques et enjeux contemporains
  • Technologies du genre, des sexualités et de la reproduction

Electives (42 credits)

  • Droit, genre et sexualités
  • Études LGBTQ+: théorie, histoire, politique
  • Genre, histoire et colonialisme (XIX-XXe siècles)
  • Migrations transnationales et rapports sociaux de sexe, de race et de classe
  • Peuples autochtones, savoirs et territoires: perspectives décoloniales et postcoloniales
  • Politiques du genre au Moyen-Orient
  • Postcolonialité, décolonialité, altérité
  • Psychologie sociale du genre
  • Scènes techno-féministes: ou comment le numérique fait genre
  • Théories de la citoyenneté, de la justice et du multiculturalisme, etc.

Master's thesis or work placement dissertation (24 credits)

A Bachelor in Social Sciences or an equivalent degree in another field, by successful completion of co-requisite courses (6 to 30 credits).

Merit-based admission.

www.unige.ch/sciences-societe/etudiants/reglements
www.unige.ch/sciences-societe/formations/inscription/admissionmaster

Deadline: 28 February 2026

www.unige.ch/enrolment

Master's students are permitted to go on exchange for one semester. Students may go on exchange from their 3rd semester but may earn no more than 30 credits at the host faculty. The Master's thesis may not be substituted.

www.unige.ch/exchange

The Master of Arts in Gender Studies leads to a number of opportunities both in Switzerland and abroad in:

  • Research and teaching 
  • Public policies on equality 
  • Human resources
  • Vocational training and career counselling 
  • Journalism and publishing 
  • Management of equality projects in businesses 
  • NGOs 
  • Associations 
  • Administration

GENEVA SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Uni Mail
40 bd du Pont-d'Arve
1211 Genève

STUDENT AFFAIRS
T. +41 (0)22 379 80 00
secretariat-etudiants-sds(at)unige.ch

ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Yali Chen
T. +41 (0)22 379 89 66
Yali.Chen(at)unige.ch