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How to apply

First you will need to find out about the centre and department - either by surfing the web pages, or by contacting Rachel Hemmings who will help you with your inquiry.

Second you should identify a member of staff, or maybe two, who might supervise you. You can do this either by contacting the appropriate staff member (and if you don't know who to contact you can surf the staff web pages), or by contacting the postgraduate coordinator. Try searching our database to identify a supervisor.

Third you should discuss your proposed research project with your potential supervisor. You may be able to do this by email, letter or telephone if you are unable to visit Lancaster, though we recommend that you visit if this is at all possible.

You need to think about the aspect of Women's and or Gender Studies you want to research and work out a research proposal which you can outline in your application. This could be quite broad at this stage, but you need to convince yourself (and us) that you have a specific research question, and some ideas about the areas - disciplinary or otherwise - in which you would like to pursue that question, as well as a sense of the methodologies that might be adequate for doing so. You should indicate what kinds of evidence you might use (texts, interviews, visual materials, etc.), and how your research fits in with existing publications, and include a bit of information on how the topic relates to your prior studies.

Download information about how to prepare a PhD proposal.

Finally, if the potential supervisor is happy to supervise you, you then need to make a formal application.

At this point you will need to fill in the necessary paperwork, and if appropriate, the relevant grant or studentship forms. information, downloadable application forms, and addresses are available at the Postgraduate Admissions information page. The application with all necessary documentation should be returned to the Postgraduate Admissions Office.

Documentation we need from you

• a completed postgraduate application form can be sent by post to Postgraduate Admissions Office or sent online
• letters from two referees
• confirmation of your undergraduate degree result (copies of certificates and transcripts). To get onto the MA you need at least least a good second class honours degree or the equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA).

Deadlines for your application

For the EU and Overseas: 30 June each year
For the UK: 31 August each year

However, if you are applying for funding your will need to apply at least six weeks before the funding body's deadline.

Decision and answer

Decisions concerning admission are made regularly throughout the year. You should receive an informal announcement of our decision within six weeks of application, followed by an official letter of acceptance from the University. If you have any questions concerning this process before you hear from us, please feel free to contact us.