A degree in women’s studies provides students with a systematic introduction to feminist theory, highlighting women’s contributions to history and culture. There are a variety of feminist and gender approaches to history, art, literature, and culture that you will learn, from the middle ages right up until the current day.

If this sounds like the right course for you, it’s important that you pick a university that has the resources, tools and equipment needed for success. To help make your final decision easier, here are 5 of the best universities in the country where you can obtain a women’s studies degree.

Lancaster University
Lancaster University is home to over 13,000 students and ranks among the best establishments in the United Kingdom and international tables. For undergraduate students, there is an ‘introduction to gender and women’s studies’ module that enables you to expand your knowledge of women and gender relations. If you’re looking to do a master’s degree, their MA in Gender and Women’s Studies will deepen your perspectives on feminism and gender studies.

You can complete this course in 12 months or 24 months part-time. There are core modules that you will be expected to undertake, which are gender, sex and bodies, and debates in gender research. Optional modules include consumer society, capitalism and crisis, and methods in science and technology studies.

University of York
The University of York is a member of the Russell Group, meaning they share a focus on research and have an excellent reputation for academic achievement. The Centre for Women’s Studies at the University of York is recognized worldwide, providing students with high-quality education and feminist teaching. Students who embark on a women’s studies degree at the University of York can expect to learn the various historical, cultural, and sociological aspects of both the past and present.

There are a variety of degrees that you can study in this field, such as an MA in Women’s Studies, a MPhil and PhD in Women’s Studies, as well as a PGCert in Women’s Studies. Before you decide on studying at the University of York, make sure that you look at entry requirements, modules, course fees and student ratings and reviews.

University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is home to over 500 undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including an MA in Gender Studies. Should you choose this degree, students can advance their knowledge on feminist theory and methodology. The primary aim of the degree is to examine the contribution of feminist theory and establish the construct of gender. Undergraduate students have the option to take gender modules through electrics, options and pathway systems.
To help you decide whether the University of Sussex is right for you, there are websites like University Compare that allow you to check the University of Sussex rankings to see where the establishment places when compared with other options.

University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is renowned as one of the leading universities on the planet with a world-leading centre of research, teaching, and learning, Here, there is the option to study an MSt in Women’s Studies. Many students who complete this course continue to doctoral degrees both at the University of Oxford and other establishments.  

There is an enormous wealth of community activity and scholarly in Women’s Studies at the University of Oxford. Should you choose this establishment, you will benefit from exposure to numerous forms of scholarship through research seminars on feminist thinking, as well as having access to new initiatives facilitated by research programs like Women in the Humanities. 

SOAS University of London
SOAS University of London has gender studies programs that directly relate to ongoing themes and issues in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. There are three MA pathways that students can take, including the MA Gender and Sexuality. The university MA programs are primarily designed for students who wish to study gender at a post-graduate level.

Founded in 1916, SOAS University of London has degrees like MA Gender Studies where you will learn modules like gender and development, queering migrations and diasporas, critical perspectives on Palestine studies, and violence, justice and the politics of memory. SOAS University of London is home to over 5,000 students and is situated in the heart of Bloomsbury, central London.

Pursuing a degree in women’s studies will help you learn about the cultural and social effects that have sculpted the roles and lives of women all throughout history. If this sounds like the right course for you, all the universities listed above are prestigious establishments where you can obtain the degree from.