Master of Arts

The MA offers you a range of choices. There are research and taught degrees, one-year or 18-month options depending on your entry qualification, and more than 40 subjects for study. Your academic background may enable you to study a subject different to that of your previous specialisation. The research masters gives you an exciting opportunity to contribute to the knowledge in your field by completing a substantial research project under the supervision of some of New Zealand's leading scholars. In a taught masters you can deepen your knowledge in small classes, enjoy close interaction with academic staff, and complete a smaller research project.

A 120- or 180-point programme with research and taught options, depending on your chosen subject. The structure of your programme depends on the subject that you are studying.

Taught (180-point)

The Taught 180-point Master of Arts was introduced for Semester 1, 2022.

• Enter from an undergraduate degree
• Advanced taught courses
• A dissertation worth 60 points
• One and a half years full-time or up to six years part-time

Research (120-point)

• Enter from a postgraduate degree
• Usually consists of a 120-point thesis or research portfolio
• Some subjects offer a combination of a 90-point thesis and 30 points from taught courses
• You may be able to include up to 30 points from other subjects
• One year full-time or up to two consecutive years part-time

Taught (120-point)

• Enter from a postgraduate degree
• Advanced taught courses
• A small research project such as a dissertation, usually worth 45 points
• You may be able to include up to 30 points from other subjects
• One year full-time or up to two consecutive years part-time
• Only available in selected subjects

Postgraduate pathway

Download the Arts postgraduate pathway (14KB, PDF)