What is Women Studies: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope

The scope of Women Studies has expanded immensely nowadays. Women Studies is an academic field which studies and examines the social and cultural construction of gender and draws on various issues related to women highlighting their position in society. Students who hold a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from a recognised university or college with a minimum of 50% marks may enrol in the two-year postgraduate MA Women's Studies programme. Admission to the Women Studies course is determined based on entrance exams.

The academic discipline is taught as courses in Universities and Colleges to learn about the system of privilege and oppression, the relation between power and gender and the socio-economic class. Women Studies teaches students about concepts which are related to feminist theory, standpoint theory, multiculturalism, transnational feminism, social justice and materialism. Some of the entrance exams that allow admission to students in Women Studies courses are SAT, CUET, JMI Entrance Exam,  JNUEE, AMU Entrance Exam, PUBDET etc.

After studying Women studies, graduates can pursue a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or can start working as Women’s Centre Director, Public Relations Manager, Human Rights Advocate, Health Clinic Coordinator, etc. The average salary for these job roles ranges between INR 1 lakh to INR 18 lakh per annum.

Latest Updates About Women Studies:

CUET UG Application in the first week of February 2024: Exams from 15-May-2024

PUBDET 2024 Application Form Filling in January 2024

SAT India Registration Deadline for the March Test is 23-Feb-2024

Women Studies Course Highlights

The adaptability of a background in women's studies enables people to approach a variety of subjects with a gender-sensitive viewpoint. To further specialise in their chosen subject of interest, many women's studies graduates also seek graduate degrees in public policy, law, social work, or other relevant fields.

Candidates can have a look at the below point to learn the key highlights of Women Studies course:

With technology playing a major role in today’s modern world, Women's studies highlight issues and problems which are faced worldwide by women. Taking history into consideration, how women's empowerment has revolutionised every aspect, and how gender inequality is being addressed at every level, Women's studies compromise interdisciplinary areas of research of feminist studies and methodologies.

Women Studies equips students with the ability to deconstruct complex hierarchies and relationships operating in society, from the perspective of women and gender. Universities teach about the laws, development programmes, and research related to feminism, women’s political development and various other topics. Click to learn Top Courses in Delhi University (DU) in 2023: Colleges, Eligibility, Selection Process.

The eligibility criteria for women's studies courses can change based on the university and the programme level (undergraduate or postgraduate). Students can see the below table for duration and eligibility criteria for different courses.

Given below is the list of courses offered in Women Studies, their duration and eligibility criteria:

Women Studies courses can be pursued in various education modes. Candidates are advised to opt for the mode of pursuing Women Studies courses based on their interests, preference, convenience and job prospects.

Given below are some basic types of Women Studies courses classified based on the learning modes:

The admission procedure of every college can differ. Hence, students need to check the same on the college website and appear in the entrance exams accepted by the shortlisted colleges, in which he/she is interested in taking admission.

Some of the entrance exams for Women's Studies are mentioned below in the table:

Women's lives and experiences are considered as the major subject of the study while other variables are examined. The master's Women's Studies is planned in an integrative manner. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics that are concerned with questioning and reexamining fundamental beliefs about women to recognise, assess, and correct political, economic, sociocultural, and historical imbalances.

The main subjects taught in MA in Women Studies include:

Relevant Topics Students Are Interested In:

MA Course Details

Top 100 Universities in India 2023: NIRF Ranks Parameters with Weightage

Students interested in pursuing Women Studies course can pursue it from several Popular Colleges for Women Studies in India.The table below contains names of colleges arranged in alphabetical order.

Top Private Colleges for Women Studies Course

Some of the popular private colleges offering MA courses are:

Top Government Colleges for Women Studies Course

Women Studies courses can also be pursued by several government colleges. Interested students can read on to know the top government colleges along with their fee structure. The students can shortlist their favourite institutes as per their suitability and then prepare for the entrance exams to get admissions.

Women's studies provide a wide range of employment options, including corporate diversity, media, international development, education, research, nonprofit work, government positions, healthcare, advocacy, and community involvement. Graduates can find rewarding careers advancing social justice, women's rights, and gender equality in a variety of fields.

Job Profiles and Average Salary After Women Studies Course 

Students with an MA in Women's Studies can find employment in several local and foreign career fields. The annual average pay ranges from INR 2 lakh to 18 lakh. The students of Women Studies can take up the following job positions after completing the course:

Women Studies Top Recruiters

The below list includes the name of the companies which remain the top recruiters for Women Studies students:

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions related to Women Studies courses: