What is the MA in Gender and Diversity?

Inequality is subject of public debate. Politicians, journalists, celebrities, researchers, organisations and activists have various perspectives on issues such as sexism, racism, poverty and radicalisation. How do different forms of inequality relate to each other? How are forms of inequality today created, reinforced or subverted in the media, the cultural production, policy-making, law, education, the labour market, health care and sport? How do we take up positions in terms of disadvantage and privilege? How can you make a difference? In the interuniversity and interdisciplinary Master in Gender and Diversity, you learn to critically think, research and act. In this way, you create a basis for future work in policy-making, the commercial or cultural sector, NGOs or academic research.

What are the aims of the course? What does the course look like?

The Master in Gender and Diversity provides you with theory, terminology and analytical skills that enable you to analyse various domains of society. Crucial concepts are gender, emancipation, identity, difference and power. A central approach is ‘intersectional thinking’, in which gender is analysed in relation to ethnicity, social class, age, religion, sexuality, etc. Central is also a social-constructivist perspective that sees identities and social relations as shaped in specific historical, social, cultural, religious, economic and sexual contexts. The master’s programme includes compulsory and elective courses, an internship and the writing of a master’s thesis. The programme enables you to build critical perspectives, knowledge and skills that will be useful throughout the rest of your professional and personal life. 

Why study Gender and Diversity at Ghent University?

The Master in Gender and Diversity is organised by five universities in Flanders: Ghent University, the Free University of Brussels, the University of Antwerp, the Catholic University of Leuven, and the University of Hasselt. The strength of the interuniversity master programme is its interdisciplinarity. Teachers and students come from five universities, and different faculties and departments. This diversity leads to challenging and fruitful discussions that enlarge your perspective and horizon of knowledge.

Full programme