Overview
The Master of Arts (Coursework) programme is designed to give students the skills sought-after by employers around the globe, with a balance of specific subject knowledge plus broad-based transferable skills – such as oral and written communication, and analytical skills.
The degree is also an entry qualification for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
The MA(Coursework) normally requires either 12 months or three semesters of full-time, or equivalent part-time, study and entails completion of papers and a dissertation. The normal admission requirement is a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in one of at least 24 subjects but admission on the basis of alternative qualifications and experience is possible.
The dissertation is a major piece of supervised research of up to 20,000 words.
The primary aim of the MA(Coursework) is to provide candidates with a grounding in their chosen subject area within a wider disciplinary frame. The degree cultivates the skills needed to identify a significant topic, design and implement a significant piece of research, and present the findings in a form acceptable to an expert readership.
Subject areas
The degree may be awarded in any of the following subjects:
- Anthropology
- Buddhist Studies
- Childhood and Youth Studies (not available in 2020/21)
- Chinese
- Classics
- Communication Studies
- Education
- English
- Film and Media Studies
- French
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- German
- History
- Indigenous Development / He Kura Matanui
- Japanese
- Linguistics
- Māori Studies
- Music
- Philosophy
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre Studies
Programme requirements
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Anthropology
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework) in Buddhist Studies
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With approval from the Head of Department, one 500-level paper from a relevant subject may be substituted for one of HUMS 501-503, RELS 521, 522, 523, 531. |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Childhood and Youth Studies
Not available in 2020/21
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Chinese
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CHIN 441 Advanced Topics in Chinese, and two other approved 400-level papers |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Classics
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Communications Studies
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GEND 401 or SCOM 409 may be substituted for one 400-level MFCO paper |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Education
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in English
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Film and Media Studies
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GEND 401 Debates in Gender and Sexuality may be substituted for one 400-level MFCO paper |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in French
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FREN 441 Advanced Topics in French, and two other approved 400-level papers |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Gender Studies
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Geography
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in German
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GERM 441 Advanced Topics in German and two other approved 400-level papers |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in History
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Indigenous Development/He Kura Matanui
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INGS 501 may be substituted for one 400-level paper Note: 400-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 300-level. Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions. |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Japanese
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JAPA 441 Advanced Topics in Japanese and two other approved 400-level papers |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Linguistics
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Māori Studies
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INGS 501 or one 400-level INDV or PACI paper may be substituted for one 400-level MAOR paper. |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Music
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Philosophy
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CLAS 440 may be substituted for one 400-level PHIL paper. |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
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No more than 90 points may be from any one of the component disciplines. CLAS 440 may be substituted for one 400-level PHIL paper. |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Religious Studies
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Sociology
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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Spanish
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SPAN 441 Advanced Topics in Spanish and two other approved 400-level papers. |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Theatre Studies
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Regulations for the Degree of Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
Admission to the Programme
- Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
- Every applicant must either
- be a graduate, or
- have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
- In considering an applicant's qualifications, regard will be had to the detail of the course of study followed to gain the qualification, as well as the applicant's performance in the programme. Applicants must normally have achieved an average grade of at least B+ in the papers at the highest level in the programme.
Structure of the Programme
- The degree may be awarded in any of the subjects listed in the MA(Coursework) Schedule. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) the degree may be awarded in a subject not listed in the MA(Coursework) Schedule.
- The programme of study shall be as prescribed for the subject concerned in Part 2 of the MA(Coursework) Schedule and shall in each case consist of a research dissertation or studio project (60 points), two 500-level HUMS papers (30 points each) from HUMS 501-503, and further papers worth 60 points at 400- or 500-level for the subject concerned, to a total value of 180 points.
- With the permission of the Dean, Director, Head of School, or Head of Programme concerned, a candidate may substitute for one required paper a paper of another subject at the same level.
- A candidate shall, before commencing the research dissertation or studio option, secure the approval of the Dean, Director, Head of the School or Head of Programme concerned for the topic, the supervisor(s), and the proposed course of the investigation.
- A candidate may not present a research dissertation or studio project which has previously been accepted for another degree.
Duration of the Programme
A candidate shall normally follow a programme for the equivalent of not less than one year of full-time study and not more than eighteen months of full-time study.
Exceptions to the normal duration of a programme shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) and no programme of study shall exceed five calendar years from the date of first admission.
Examination of the Research Dissertation, or Studio Project
- The Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned (or nominee) shall appoint a Convener of Examiners who shall oversee each dissertation or studio project examination.
- The research dissertation or studio project shall be assessed by at least two examiners, who may both be internal to the University.
- The candidate’s supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned.
- Each examiner shall supply a written report on the research dissertation or studio project and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the work as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options as specified in clause (e) below.
- The examiners may recommend that a research dissertation, or studio project exegesis:
- be accepted without amendments;
- be accepted subject to amendments being made at the discretion, and to the satisfaction, of the Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned;
- does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;
- does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.
- Amendments (regulation 5(e)(ii)) and revisions (regulation 5(e)(iii)) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned.
- A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a research dissertation or studio project exegesis for examination once only.
- If a revised and resubmitted research dissertation or studio project exegesis is finally accepted, the result shall be either ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with distinction or credit.
- Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned should so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.
- Examination results will be subject to external moderation.
Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Note: The due date for applications for first enrolment in the programme is 10 December. Late applications will be considered.