UCL GENDER, SOCIETY AND REPRESENTATION

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FAQs

1. Who is eligible for a research degree in Gender Society and Representation (GSR)?

Research opportunities leading to the degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Gender, Society and Representation are open to suitably qualified candidates. Students choose a research topic within the field of gender studies in consultation with their Supervisor.

2. What is the difference between a MPhil and a PhD?

The PhD requires a minimum of three years of full-time study (minimum five years part-time). It consists of original research leading to a thesis of up to 100,000 words. The MPhil is a research degree of the shorter type, normally requiring two years full-time (four years part-time).

Research for the MPhil leads to a thesis of around 60,000 words. Students initially register for the MPhil degree and can proceed to retrospective PhD registration after one year if their work is of a sufficient standard.

3. Do research students follow a prescribed programme of study?

Research students do not follow a prescribed programme of study but carry out their own research project under the guidance of a Supervisor. Students will have both a Principal Supervisor and a Subsidiary Supervisor, and they will normally register in the department of their Principal Supervisor. 

4. Does UCL provide any training courses for research students?

The UCL Graduate School provides a range of induction and training courses for all research students.

5. What is the expected outcome of a MPhil/PhD research?

Research for the MPhil/PhD in Gender, Society and Representation results in the submission of a thesis.

A thesis for the MPhil degree (up to approximately 60,000 words) should be either a record of original work or a thorough and critical exposition of existing knowledge in an area of gender studies.

A PhD thesis may be up to c.100,000 words and must form a distinct contribution to knowledge, show evidence of original thought and research, and be suitable for publication as submitted or in abridged or modified form.

6. Where are the GSR members of staff based?

The graduate programme in Gender Studies draws on the combined expertise of staff in a range of departments in UCL Faculties and Departments including:

• Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• School of Slavonic and East European Studies
• Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences, and the 
• School of the Built Environment
• As well as in the nearby School of Oriental and African Studies.

7. Which library resources I access for my research?

The library resources in central London are unrivalled and include:

• UCL’s own Library
• University of London Library
• Specialised collections of SSEES
• SOAS
• The Women’s Library
• The various research institutes of the University of London 
• The British Library.

The Women’s Library is a short tube-ride away, while all the other libraries are within a few minutes’ walk of UCL's Bloomsbury campus.