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Case Study

Stephen Armstrong

South Shields, UK

MSc Inequality and Society

BA (Hons) Education Studies


Stephen Armstrong decided to study for the MSc Inequality and Society degree after graduating from the BA (Hons) Education Studies course at Sunderland. He is passionate about topics such as toxic masculinity and is focusing his dissertation around this. He recently became a blogger for The Equality Trust.

I chose to study for the MSc Inequality and Society degree at Sunderland because I’d already had such a great experience here at undergraduate level, having studied on the BA (Hons) Education Studies course. I wanted to keep studying in order to broaden my opportunities, and this master's degree was really appealing to me as it is new and unique – and relevant to our modern society.

The course allows me to talk about topics that I’m really passionate about, such as toxic masculinity and ‘hard lad’ culture, and the impact it has. This is actually the topic that I'm studying for my postgraduate dissertation, which is a brilliant opportunity because I can use my biggest piece of work to look into something I’m passionate about. I’ve also been provided with an amazing opportunity to become an intern, blogging for The Equality Trust. I submitted my first piece recently, about what it means to be ‘a man’ in the modern day. I’m really grateful that the course has allowed me to be vocal about my thoughts and feelings about certain social issues, and has provided me with opportunities to express those views in a productive way.

Sunderland is such a friendly place to study; I’ve made some brilliant friends and I will be forever grateful to the University and the staff for the support I have received. I’ve had the best three years studying here.”

Published 19 February 2020

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