Master's thesis

You will complete your Research MA programme by writing a Master's thesis (30 EC) that is based on original research. The thesis is a scholarly research project in which you are expected to contribute, on the basis of independent research, to a debate within the discipline.

Thesis requirements

It should be structured around a central research question (set out in the introductory sections) to which the thesis provides a response and thereby offers an original contribution to existing scholarship (explicated in the individual chapters and in the conclusion). The central research question must be clearly formulated in the thesis and its relevance to scholarly discussions within the discipline must be demonstrated. The body of the text should give a clear description and justification of the methodological and theoretical framework that is used to develop the response(s) to the research question, and should employ a case study relevant to the research question or problem and its sociopolitical relevance.

The thesis should be written in English. The length of the thesis should at least be 30,000 words. More detailed information on deadlines and procedures can be found here (and in the programme book).

Supervision

The thesis will be assessed and graded by the supervisor and a second assessor.

Forms and procedures master's thesis

Your Master's thesis will be assessed according to specific evaluation procedures. You can prepare for this by reading the following documents and explanations prior to starting your thesis.

Hélène Phoa Gender Studies Research Thesis Prize

Hélène Phoa was a graduate of the Research Master Gender Studies at Utrecht University. She graduated in 2018. Hélène was too young when she passed away in 2019. In memory of her life, her courage and her commitment to Gender Studies, the family of Hélène Phoa made it possible to award a yearly prize of 1000 Euro for a gender studies thesis. The prize is intended to contribute to supporting  a graduate in the passage from being a student in gender to a rewarding next phase in life where ‘doing gender’ may find a new form.

More information

More information on submission and deadlines, please contact: Genderstudies@uu.nl mentioning Hélène Phoa Thesis Award.