Arts

The Master of Arts (MA) degree consists of coursework followed by a thesis. It provides the opportunity to make a contribution to knowledge while also demonstrating understanding of the principles of research.

MA students within the College of Arts benefit from:

• a lively and supportive postgraduate culture
• numerous master's scholarships
• 11 relevant research centres.
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The Master of Arts degree consists of two parts:

• Part I: Coursework
• Part II: A thesis.

Honours may be awarded if the student completes within the timeframe indicated by the schedule. Distinction or Merit may be awarded if the student completes an MA by thesis-only in the timeframe indicated by the schedule and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours.

Students can begin their studies in February or July. Part II (thesis-only) can be started at the beginning of any month.

Duration

The minimum period of enrolment is:

• Part I and Part II: two years full-time (or three years part-time)
• Part II only: one year full-time (or two years part-time)

Normally the minimum requirement is a three-year bachelor’s degree from a New Zealand university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered to be equivalent. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to make sure they are of an equivalent standard. You are also required to meet UC’s English language requirements.

Qualification specific requirements

Candidates must have qualified for a bachelor's degree and satisfied the prerequisites for the subject concerned. Prerequisites vary between departments, but normally good grades in 300-level courses in the subject concerned are required.

Students who have qualified for a Bachelor of Arts with Honours or equivalent with good grades may be admitted to the Master of Arts by thesis (Part II only) in that subject.

Subjects and courses

Subject areas for the Master of Arts are many and varied and include:

• Anthropology
• Art History
• Art Theory
• Child and Family Psychology
• Chinese
• Classics
• Cultural Studies
• Economics
• Education
• English
• European Studies
• French
• Geography
• German
• History
• Human Services
• Japanese
• Linguistics
• Māori and Indigenous Studies
• Mathematics
• Media and Communication
• Music
• Pacific Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science and International Relations
• Psychology
• Russian
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Statistics
• Te Reo Māori