Established as part of the EU Erasmus program, the MATILDA European Master in Women’s and Gender History is designed for students wishing to develop expertise in women’s and gender history, as well as European history, and who are interested in intercultural exchange.
The program of study is spread over two years, includes 120 ECTS points, and links leading European universities in an exciting, innovative and unique venture. Students can expect to study at least two different partner institutions (a ‘home’ and a ‘host’ institution), choosing from among the following:
- Central European University (CEU), Vienna
- University of Vienna
- The Université Lumière Lyon 2 (coordinating institution)
- The Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
- Universià degli Studi di Padova
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Click here for updated information: MATILDA Flyer
Click here for program-specific entry requirements
Program Definition
The MATILDA curriculum includes courses in core subjects in Women’s and Gender History (theory, methodology, and practice) and specialist options covering medieval to modern historical epochs, such as: History of Nationalism and Post-/Colonialism and History of Post-/Socialism; History of Masculinities; History of Gender in the Sciences; History of Gender and Work; History of Gender and Education; Comparative History of Women’s Movements; Critical Romani Studies; Gender and Migration; Islamic Feminism in Historical Perspective; Women’s Oral History; and Gender and Religion.
MATILDA supports integrative perspectives which go beyond local, regional, and national histories in order to situate these histories, as well as European history as a whole, in broader contexts. With its focus on comparative, entangled and transnational history, MATILDA aims to:
- explore the history of gender differences and similarities in European cultures and societies;
- investigate the role of gender in shaping European history;
- challenge gender inequalities.
Transparency and comparability are assured through the European Credit Transfer System and Diploma Supplement/Transcript.
For further information please visit the main MATILDA website.
MATILDA at CEU
At the CEU (Vienna Campus), the Department of Gender Studies and the Department of History cooperate in offering the MATILDA MA.
Transnational and comparative approaches are foregrounded, with location, class, “race,” religion, and other categories informing the study of women and gender in history. Thematic foci include histories of “state-socialism,” women’s activism and gender politics, as well as East/West-North/South relations, nation/nationalisms, and body politics. MATILDA brings together faculty from many countries and research traditions with expertise in Gender and Historical Studies (including medieval studies). For a complete description of the MATILDA Program in general and in Budapest and Vienna, please consult the MATILDA General Handbook and Curriculum 2021-22.
Mobility Students
Mobility students should contact the CEU Erasmus coordinator, Anna Szathmari at Szathmaria@ceu.edu.
Application and Entry Requirements
When to apply?
See application deadlines and details HERE
Tuition fees and financial aid
CEU accepts applications from MATILDA candidates for CEU financial aid, including fellowship packages and tuition waivers on the basis of academic merit. In addition, CEU accepts fee-paying students for the MATILDA Program. Student mobility within MATILDA (summer intensive program, semester abroad) will be financially supported by the EU Erasmus program. (Anyone enrolled in a 2-year MA or a PhD study program at CEU is eligible for Erasmus Mobility funding. However, EU-students returning from Austria to their home country for the study abroad period receive low priority in the Erasmus mobility funding scheme.)
MATILDA students with CEU as their home institution will pay tuition fees or receive a tuition waiver at their host institution during the study abroad period according to the requirements at CEU; CEU will interrupt financial aid for MATILDA students’ during their study abroad period.
To learn more about the admission please click on the "MATILDA Application and Information" link at the bottom of this page.
Entry requirements
For general information on CEU entry requirements and application, procedures click here.
In addition to meeting CEU’s general entry requirements, MATILDA applicants should possess a BA in a humanities/social science subject and are required to submit the following documents:
- One Motivation Letter in English
- Two letters of academic reference (in closed envelopes or per email)
- A recent CV
MATILDA welcomes applicants from a variety of backgrounds and therefore we need to find out as much as we can about the applicants’ motivation, particular background, and previous experience of ‘doing’ European women’s/gender history. This is why we ask MATILDA applicants to submit a 500-word typewritten Motivation Letter. The Motivation Letter should demonstrate a strong interest in European women’s and gender history. If the applicant has a background in, or has taken courses in, any area of women’s/gender history or gender studies, she/he should mention it in the Motivation Letter. MATILDA is also interested in whether applicants are familiar with comparative or integrative perspectives that go beyond local, regional, and national histories - and/or why applicants find comparative, entangled, and transnational approaches to European women’s and gender history relevant. These issues can also be addressed in the Motivation Letter.
In the case of applicants who don’t have an academic or professional background in women’s/gender history and/or comparative approaches, the Motivation Letter can be used to elaborate why the applicant is interested in applying for this particular degree program and what academic motivations she/he has that make him/her a desirable candidate.
Applicants may already have a research proposal or area of interest in mind for a future MA thesis. If so, they are encouraged to also submit, besides the Motivation Letter, an outline of either their research interests and/or research project. Such a mini Research Proposal does not have to be longer than two paragraphs.
APPLICATION FORM: MATILDA European Master in Women's and Gender History
Responsible for MATILDA at CEU:
- Professor Susan Zimmermann, email: zimmerma@ceu.edu
- Professor Francisca de Haan, email: dehaanf@ceu.edu
