Gender Studies: International Relations pathway | Royal Holloway, University of London

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Course summary

MSc Gender Studies is a unique interdisciplinary degree that provides you with critical, advanced knowledge of gender research, theory and practice, based in contemporary intersectional gender and sexuality studies, while also allowing you to develop specialist knowledge in international relations.

Studying MSc Gender Studies & International Relations will help you understand how gender, sexuality and identity constitute global politics. Studying this inter-disciplinary degree closely aligned with our Gender Institute and our Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy means that you will learn from internationally renowned experts specialised in gender research and IR. You’ll have close contact with the academic staff teaching on the course and you’ll receive individual support from your personal tutor from the gender studies teaching team whilst being able to tailor your degree to your interests. You will be able to choose from a range of optional modules covering a range of topics such gender and protest, international security, analysing international politics, to name a few.

Through the MSc Gender Studies & International Relations you will:

Gain a critical awareness of gender activism
Study general gender studies modules and specialise in your subject of choice
Explore how gender inequalities operate in global politics, international security and conflict, in international settings and across various regions of the world
Learn about gender and IR while gaining research skills tailored to your interests and future projects

Open days

Postgraduate Online Open Week
9 Mar 2026, 10:00
Egham
Postgraduate Open Morning, Royal Holloway, University of London (Egham Campus)
14 Mar 2026, 09:00
Egham
Postgraduate webinar series: Scholarships and financing your postgraduate degree
15 Apr 2026, 09:00
Egham

Entry requirements

UK Lower Class Honours (2:2) or equivalent degree in an essay-based subject.

Professional experience as a gender advisor or in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion may be considered.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Location	Fee	Year
Republic of Ireland	£12000	Year 1
EU	£21500	Year 1
England	£12000	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£12000	Year 1
Scotland	£12000	Year 1
Wales	£12000	Year 1
Channel Islands	£12000	Year 1
International	£21500	Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually, based on the UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI). Please therefore be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year.

This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2026/27. For further information, please visit: https://royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/postgraduate/tuition-fees/

These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.