PhD Gender Studies
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The Gender Studies PhD is an interdisciplinary research area within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, supported by staff from a range of subject areas, including journalism, media and communication, English, French, Italian, history, education, social policy, criminology and politics.
PhD students in Gender Studies are expected to undertake research that results in a thesis which contributes to the wider literature in the field, thereby making an original contribution to current knowledge. Students are also expected to contribute to the Strathclyde Feminist Research Network, which offers a research seminar series, work-in-progress workshops, reading group and opportunities to share research findings through our blog.
A PhD in Gender Studies at Strathclyde may incorporate more than one of the following areas:
- using theoretical perspectives from feminist, queer, disability and/or critical race perspectives to advance knowledge in associated areas
- studying intersecting in/equalities in history, culture and/or society
- assessing and evaluating approaches developed in and across different disciplinary traditions
Our expertise
At Strathclyde, we can offer supervisory expertise in a variety of areas within Gender Studies, including:
- feminist media, literary and cultural studies
- contemporary social movements
- feminist histories
- gender-based violence
- educational inequality
- sociology of religion
- eco-feminism
- reproductive rights
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UK University of the Year
Daily Mail University of the Year Awards 2026
Scottish University of the Year
The Sunday Times' Good University Guide 2026
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated.
Entrants may be subject to a small fee during the writing up period.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually.
The University will take a range of factors into account, including, but not limited to, UK inflation, changes in delivery costs and changes in Scottish and/or UK Government funding. Changes in fees will be published on the University website in October each year for the following year of study and any annual increase will be capped at a maximum of 10% per year. This cap will apply to fees from 2026/27 onwards, which will not increase by more than 10% from the previous year for continuing students.
| Scotland | £4,786 |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £4,786 |
| Republic of Ireland |
If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status. For more information and advice on tuition fee status, you can visit the UKCISA - International student advice and guidance - Scotland: fee status webpage. Find out more about the University of Strathclyde's fee assessments process. |
| International | £18,050 |
| Additional costs | International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information.
|
| Funding | Take a look at our funding your postgraduate research web page for funding information. You can also view our scholarships search for further funding opportunities. |
| Postgraduate research opportunities | Search for all funded and non-funded postgraduate research opportunities. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.
Our research
The Gender Studies PhD is an interdisciplinary research area within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, supported by staff from a range of subject areas, including:
- Journalism, Media & Communication
- English
- French
- Italian
- History
- Education
- Social Policy
- Criminology and Politics
Postgraduate research at the Strathclyde Doctoral School
The Strathclyde Doctoral School offers a vibrant, student-centred research and training environment, dedicated to supporting both current and future research talent.
Bringing together all four of our faculties, it is committed to enhancing the student experience, increasing research outputs and opportunities, and ensuring that training is delivered at the highest standard.
As a postgraduate researcher, you will automatically become a member of the Strathclyde Doctoral School.
Supervisors
All PhD students have two supervisors, and the supervisory team may be comprised of colleagues from different subject areas or schools within the faculty. Interdisciplinary applications are strongly encouraged.
Gender studies is a growing area at Strathclyde within and across traditional disciplinary areas. The staff listed below are interested in supervising postgraduate research in gender studies within the specialist areas listed.
| Supervisor | Areas of Expertise |
|---|---|
| Karen Boyle, Professor of Feminist Media Studies |
|
| Petya Eckler, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Media & Communication |
|
| Catherine Eschle, Senior Lecturer in Politics & International Relations |
|
| Michael Higgins, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Media & Communication |
|
| Sophie Jones, Lecturer in Contemporary Literature & Gender Studies |
|
| Laura Kelly, Professor of Modern Irish History |
|
| Redi Koobak, Chancellor's Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies |
|
| Churnjeet Mahn, Professor of English Literature |
|
| Melanie McCarry, Lecturer, Social Policy |
|
| Donna McCormack, Chancellor's Fellow and Senior Lecturer |
|
| Rhiannon McGlade, Lecturer in Hispanic Studies |
|
| Fiona McKay, Lecturer in Journalism, Media & Communication |
|
| Katharine Mitchell, Senior Lecturer in Italian Culture, Media and Gender |
|
| Esperanza Miyake, Chancellor's Fellow and Lecturer in Journalism, Media and Communication |
|
| Emma Newlands, Strathclyde Chancellor's Fellow and Senior Lecturer in History |
|
| Laura Piacentini, Professor of Criminology |
|
| Elsa Richardson, Strathclyde Chancellor's Fellow and Lecturer in History |
|
| Yvette Taylor, Professor of Education |
|
| Caroline Verdier, Senior Lecturer in French studies |
|
Support & development
The Graduate School
As a postgraduate researcher in Gender Studies, you'll also be a member of our Faculty Graduate School. We're members of the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science. All registered PhD students are members of one or both of these Schools (depending on your subject discipline), which provide training, events and funding opportunities. They also encompass the AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership (SGSAH) and the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership (SGSSS), which offer fully-funded studentships. The university-wide lead for AHRC PGR/SGSAH and ESRC PGR/SGSSS is Dr Mark Ellis.
The Graduate School is also a well-equipped physical space, which further facilitates our strong emphasis on interdisciplinary working.
Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD)
While pursuing your PhD or MPhil in Gender Studies, you'll also undertake the University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PG Cert RPD), which provides comprehensive professional and personal development training for all postgraduate research students.
The programme offers a tailored suite of workshops, courses, events, online provision and resources designed to meet the development needs of postgraduate research students. PhD students will graduate with the University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development. This is a unique qualification, where students can gain credits for academic-related activities, such as conference presentations and organisation. The aim is to develop skilled, confident researchers and effective and valuable potential employees.
Careers
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Student support
From financial advice to our IT facilities, we have a wide range of support for all students here at Strathclyde. Get all the information you need at Strathlife.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Apply
Entry requirements
For PhD, normally, a first-class or upper second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, plus a Masters degree in a relevant area.
How to apply
If you're interested in studying for a PhD in Gender Studies, the first thing you need to do is to find out if there’s a supervisor available to oversee your studies. You can find that information in the supervisors tab.
The other key element is your research proposal. Read our guidelines on writing proposals.
Applications are via our Pegasus online portal.
When applying, you'll be asked to upload:
- your research proposal
- scans of degree certificates/transcripts
- two academic reference letters (if it would be easier for you, you can ask your referees to send their letters direct to hass-postgrad@strath.ac.uk placing your name and the word "reference" in the subject line)
- confirmation of funding
If you're an international applicant and don’t have a degree from a UK University (or a University where the primary medium of instruction is English), we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent (no individual test score below 5.5, the test must be taken within two years of the programme start date).
Start date
Most PhD students start in October, so they move forward as one cohort, but you can start at any time of year (people often have to defer until they find funding.) Keep an eye on our funding databases (postgraduate research opportunities and University scholarships) for any forthcoming Strathclyde research studentship opportunities.
Start date: Oct 2025 - Sep 2026
Gender Studies (partner organisation)
Start date: Oct 2025 - Sep 2026
Gender Studies (partner organisation)
Start date: Oct 2025 - Sep 2026
Gender Studies
Start date: Oct 2025 - Sep 2026
Gender Studies
Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027
Gender Studies (partner organisation)
Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027
Gender Studies (partner organisation)
Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027
Gender Studies
Start date: Oct 2026 - Sep 2027
Gender Studies
Start date: Oct 2027 - Sep 2028
Gender Studies (partner organisation)
Start date: Oct 2027 - Sep 2028
Gender Studies (partner organisation)
Start date: Oct 2027 - Sep 2028
Gender Studies
Start date: Oct 2027 - Sep 2028
Gender Studies
Contact us
Research enquiries
Enquires for the PhD Gender Studies can be directed to potential supervisors.
General enquiries
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated.
Entrants may be subject to a small fee during the writing up period.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually.
The University will take a range of factors into account, including, but not limited to, UK inflation, changes in delivery costs and changes in Scottish and/or UK Government funding. Changes in fees will be published on the University website in October each year for the following year of study and any annual increase will be capped at a maximum of 10% per year. This cap will apply to fees from 2026/27 onwards, which will not increase by more than 10% from the previous year for continuing students.
| Scotland | £5,006 |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £5,006 |
| Republic of Ireland |
If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status. For more information and advice on tuition fee status, you can visit the UKCISA - International student advice and guidance - Scotland: fee status webpage. Find out more about the University of Strathclyde's fee assessments process. |
| International | £19,850 |
| Additional costs | International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information.
|
| Funding | Take a look at our funding your postgraduate research web page for funding information. You can also view our scholarships search for further funding opportunities. |
| Postgraduate research opportunities | Search for all funded and non-funded postgraduate research opportunities. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.