Programs

The Department of Gender Studies offers honours, major and minor/general programs that lead to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. A certificate in Gender Studies is now avaialble as an option. 

The difference between the three programs is the amount of concentration in gender studies: an honours program requires more GNDR courses than a major, which in turn requires more than a minor or general program. Students must declare their program through the Academic Advising Office.

Please note that, in addition to the requirements below, students must meet the Faculty of Humanities Breadth Requirement.

In addition to the departmental requirements, students must meet some other requirements set out by the University of Victoria in order to qualify for a Bachelor's degree.  Please see the UVic Calendar section Minimum Degree Requirements for Graduation for details.

My program provided an avenue for me not only to work in my community, expand my community, learn incredible research skills, and to develop my academic and critical thinking abilities, but also to expand my knowledge of self, the way in which I relate to the world, the root of my beliefs and the mechanisms by which to understand, assess and advocate for social justice both within academia and outside.
—Survey response from gender studies alum

Learning outcomes

Students who complete one of our programs will be:

  • critically engaged, robust, empowered thinkers who understand the relationship between self and systems of power;
  • informed local and global actors who value and advocate for social, economic and political change;
  • articulate, critical thinkers who question assumptions, understand complex contexts, and can make strong, effective arguments in various genres, including written, oral, visual and social media;
  • able to use diverse interdisciplinary and critical approaches to gender/s, to inform, research, understand, question and analyze contemporary issues they encounter;
  • able to understand the ways gender intersects with race, class, sexualities, abilities, citizenship, ethnicity, sex, identity and environment;
  • equipped and confident that they are prepared to achieve a wide variety of future leadership, career and/or life goals.