Cultural Studies

Gender and Cultural Studies at Sydney is renowned internationally for ground-breaking interdisciplinary research and high calibre teaching. In every evaluation of excellence by the Australian government we have been ranked 5, which is to say “world-leading”.

We provide our students with critically engaging ideas and the tools to analyse a range of texts, issues and practices in relation to their cultural settings. Our academics are at the forefront of their fields globally and pass on their expertise in theoretical and empirical research paradigms, spanning social science and humanities research methods.

We offer the only specific Master of Cultural Studies program in Australia. The program allows you to engage with the changing meanings of culture in our everyday world. You will learn how to analyse cultural forms while debating their significance in relation to socio-historical contexts. Most importantly we give you the conceptual and methodological tools and the opportunity to apply theories to real-world issues. The program does not presume pre-existing knowledge of cultural studies. However, for those with a background in the field it presents an opportunity to deepen and extend this knowledge.

In joining the discipline, you will belong to a dynamic postgraduate community. Our research culture is known as among the most vibrant in the University. Our weekly Friday research seminars are open to all and give you the option to hear leading researchers, or to engage with doctoral students presenting their work-in-progress, and then to gather with staff and students in a lively informal milieu.

The postgraduate coursework convenor will guide you through your program of study. This is your opportunity to discuss what kinds of units might be appropriate, including advice on which of the three capstone pathways will best suit your needs.

The dissertation is available to students achieving 75% average in four units of study and allows you to undertake research on the topic of your choice, supervised by one of our staff. Students who complete the dissertation could progress to higher degree research, depending on your marks.

The internship capstone option places you in an appropriate organisation and gives you hands-on supervised work experience. The internship program will enable students to use their research, critical thinking and leadership skills in a vibrant industry setting. It is also an opportunity to create professional networks and develop new skills that complement a variety of careers.

In the third capstone pathway option, after developing insight into contemporary cultural research and their knowledge of their chosen research field in Contemporary Issues in Cultural Research, students may work individually on a long essay project under the guidance of an academic supervisor in Cultural Research Project.

Awards and requirements

Please refer to the course resolutions in this handbook for information on the course requirements and admission criteria.

Master of Cultural Studies

Candidates for the Master of Cultural Studies must complete 72 credit points, including:

• 24 credit points of core units of study
• a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 36 credit points from selective units of study
• a maximum of 12 credit points from elective units of study
• a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 credit points of capstone units of study

Graduate Diploma in Cultural Studies

Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Cultural Studies must complete 48 credit points, including:

• 24 credit points of core units of study
• 24 credit points from selective units of study

Graduate Certificate in Cultural Studies

Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Cultural Studies must complete 24 credit points, including:

• 12 credit points of core units of study; and
• 12 credit points of selective units of study.

Reduced volume of learning (RVL)

Candidates who have completed previous study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for a reduction in the requirements in accordance with the table below.

Contacts and further information

For further information and contact details for academic coordinators, please see the following website:

• Discipline of Gender and Cultural Studies
• Email: soh.enquiries@sydney.edu.au