QS Rank:
11
University of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
,United States
Program Name
PhD in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
Deadline
December 15th, 2026
Overview
Total Tuition Fees
$2,23,960
Duration
60 Months
Median Salary
$1,10,000
Ranking
#7
US World and News Report
#14
The World University Rankings
#11
QS World University Rankings
Intake
Fall ( Sept - Nov )
Intake
Spring ( Apr - June )
Class Profile
Class Size
25
Average Age
28
Average Work Experience
2 Years
Diversity
International:
5%Others:
5%New Jersey:
15%New York:
10%Pennsylvania:
65%Career Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
$1,10,000 / year
Graduation Rate
96%
Prospective Job Roles
Advocacy
Assistant Professor
Teacher
College Professor
Gender Studies Researcher
Social worker
Gender Studies Policy Analyst
Community development worker
Gender Studies Consultant
consulatant
Top recruiters
Eligibility Criteria
Accepted fields include Gender Studies, Women S Studies, English and Women's and Gender Studies, Ethnic Cultural Minority Gender and Group Studies.
At least 16 years of bachelor degree.
At least 24 months of full-time professional experience after graduation.
English Proficiency Tests
IELTS
7
TOEFL
100
Application Requirements
Here's everything you need to know to ensure a complete and competitive application—covering the key documents and criteria for a successful submission.
Application Fee: 90
Transcript
Resume
Statement of Purpose
Resume
IELTS
Academic LOR
Professional LOR
Application Deadlines
| Final Deadline | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Dec 15, 2026 |
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
$44,792 / year
Overall Cost
$59,792 / year
FAQs
- Competition can be high since GSWS is a secondary certificate program. Prospective PhD students should apply early to both their discipline and the GSWS certificate track to maximize eligibility for fellowships and grants.
- Strong alignment across your disciplinary PhD research focus and gender/sexuality studies themes can support access to GSWS opportunities; mention potential GSWS faculty mentors and funding fit in your application materials.
- GSWS students participate in interdisciplinary seminars, graduate colloquia, and pedagogy workshops. Common components include the Pedagogy Seminar Series and Graduate Research Colloquium Series, which support research presentation and teaching development.
- GSWS candidates are doctoral students enrolled in a primary PhD program at Penn (e.g., English, History, Sociology, Anthropology). Eligible students can pursue a GSWS graduate certificate alongside their discipline-based PhD, and then apply for GSWS-related funding and research fellowships.
- Penn’s GSWS is an interdisciplinary doctoral track that centers scholarship in feminist, queer, intersectional, and gender studies, drawing on faculty across more than 20 schools and departments. It is coordinated jointly with the Center for Research in Feminist, Queer, and Transgender Studies (FQT).
Ready to elevate your study abroad journey?
Book a call with us now and take the first step towards your global future!
Connect with us on our social media
