Overview

The Women and Gender Studies M.A. at the University of Toronto provides a rigorous framework for investigating the complex relations of gender, sex, and feminism. This programme is designed to challenge traditional academic boundaries by integrating colonial, postcolonial, and diasporic perspectives into the core curriculum. Students engage with diverse feminist scholarship to understand the temporal and geographic processes that shape human lives and subjectivities.

The curriculum focuses on critical rubrics such as transnational studies and indigenous frameworks. By situating gendered relations within global contexts, the programme allows scholars to explore the nuances of identity and power.

Why Women and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto?

The Women and Gender Studies Institute offers a unique academic setting that emphasises the tasks of challenging and investigating global capitalism and state formation. The programme is distinguished by its focus on cultural flows, citizenship, and empire, providing students with the tools to analyse modern society through a feminist lens. The institute welcomes a diverse cohort, including international students, fostering a global dialogue within the classroom.

Students benefit from a faculty-led approach where supervisors are assigned by the graduate unit to ensure academic alignment. The university's commitment to indigenous studies and transnational political economy provides a rich backdrop for those looking to specialise in feminist cultural studies or the intersections of science and biomedicine. This multidisciplinary environment ensures that graduates are well-prepared for high-level research and advocacy.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 31870 per year
• National fee: CAD 7370 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to provide a deep dive into the mechanisms of gender and sexuality across different cultures and eras. Modules may include:

• Feminist Colonial and Postcolonial Studies
• Transnational Studies
• Indigenous and Diasporic Studies
• Gender and Sexualities
• Global Capitalism and Nation Formation
• Feminist Scholarship
• Empire and Citizenship
• Cultural Flows

Careers with Women and Gender Studies

Graduates of this programme are equipped for diverse professional paths that require advanced analytical skills and a deep understanding of social justice. The focus on transnational political economy and development studies prepares students for roles in international non-governmental organisations, policy analysis, and social advocacy. The rigorous research training also provides a strong foundation for those pursuing further doctoral studies or academic careers.