Gender Studies is a relatively young research discipline that uses gender as a category to analyse society and culture in different historical, cultural or political contexts. "Gender" reveals the social and cultural constructedness of gender, role conceptions and norms.
Since gender as a social category never stands alone, but is always connected to other categories such as ethnicity, body or age, students learn to perceive gender-hierarchical realities from an intersectional perspective, to critically question social developments with a view to gender relations and to get to know methods and instruments for creating equal opportunities. Research directions such as masculinity studies, postcolonial studies, disability studies, critical whiteness studies and queer studies are also taken into account.
Every summer, the coordination office organises an information event on the Gender Studies programmes at the RUB. Here, questions about teaching, research, study structure, networking, etc. are answered. All interested students are cordially invited to attend. The next date for this information event is
Tue, 17 June 2025, 4-6 p.m., via Zoom.
The following specialisations are offered at the RUB in Gender Studies:
At the RUB, the core teaching of Gender Studies is made up of the courses offered by the three faculties of Social Sciences, Philology (especially Media Studies) and History. This offer is supplemented by courses of the Marie Jahoda Centre and additionally by changing courses from other subjects such as Protestant and Catholic Theology, Sports Science and Psychology.
International Gender Studies (1-subject Master's programme)
Gender Studies - Culture, Communication, Society (2-subject Master's programme)
International Gender Studies (1-subject Master's programme)
Completion of an eligible B.A. programme in Gender Studies with a minimum of 180 ECTS. Other equivalent degrees in the humanities and cultural studies, social and economic sciences, law, theology, psychology or health and nursing science can be recognised as equivalent, provided that at least 30 ECTS from one or more of the following areas are included:
An equivalence check is carried out on the basis of the admission requirements described above and is carried out on the basis of the application documents submitted.
Gender Studies - Culture, Communication, Society (2-subject Master's programme)
At least 6 semesters of completed B.A. studies in humanities, cultural studies or social science or a philology. Master's degrees or diploma degrees can be recognised as equivalent. An equivalence check is carried out on the basis of the application documents submitted (see above).
The Gender Studies programmes can only be taken up for the winter semester. Please note the different admission requirements listed on this page. The application for the two Gender Studies study programmes takes place via the online portal of the Admission Office of the Ruhr-University Bochum. The online application deadline is 15 July. The required documents (BA certificate and the Diploma Supplement (if available) and/or the Transcript of Records) must be uploaded to the Admission’s Infoportal by 8 August. Admission is granted after the late submission deadline, either on the basis of the overall grade of the Bachelor's programme or on the basis of a provisional average grade confirmed by the Examinations Office of at least 150 CP out of 180 CP or 180 out of 210 CP. The Ruhr-University Bochum has regulated the admission procedure for the admission-restricted Master's degree programmes in a statute.
Prospective students from non-EU countries also apply via the online portal of the Admissions Office. However, please note the different deadlines for the application. These deadlines can be found on the control sheet which you will receive after completing your online application.
Both degree programmes, 2-subject and 1-subject, are subject to limited admission: If there are more applications than places available, a local NC (Numerus Clausus) is calculated. Therefore, it is necessary to participate in the application procedure of the RUB. Further general information can be found on the pages of the Registrar’s Office.
After receiving the notification of admission, the application procedure is completed by enrolment at the Registrar's Office. Please bear in mind that you must present an obligatory counselling interview with the study coordination for enrolment.
The study counselling offers a separate office hour for the obligatory counselling interview for admitted Master's applicants during the enrolment deadlines. Please contact the subject coordinator Maximiliane Brand via mail and make an appointment.
In the course of the application procedure, an equivalence check is carried out on the basis of the application documents submitted. The recognition of equivalence can be linked to particular requirements that must be fulfilled by the completion of the Master's degree programme. Subsequent study achievements must be presented when registering for the Master's examination.
International Gender Studies (1-subject Master's programme)
The basis of the equivalence assessment is the profile of the B.A. phase of the corresponding degree programmes in Bochum as well as the fulfilment of the requirement of at least 30 CP in one or more of the above-mentioned areas.
Gender Studies - Culture, Communication, Society (2-subject Master's programme)
The basis of the equivalence assessment is the profile of the B.A. phase of the corresponding degree programmes in Bochum as well as the fulfilment of the requirement of at least 30 CP in one or more of the above-mentioned areas.
Copyright © 2024
Last update: Oct 29, 2024
