Overview
The Master of Arts (MA) gives you the opportunity to focus your efforts within a specaialised field of geography. The degree comes in two pathways, by coursework or by thesis.
Master of Arts (Thesis)
The thesis option normally requires at least one year of full-time, or its equivalent in part-time, study and entails completion of a thesis. A student who has obtained a three year bachelors degree will be required to take and pass the papers list in the Honours requirements for Geography, in addition to completing a thesis. The normal admission requirements is a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) degree in Geography, but admission on the basis of alternative qualifications and experience is possible. Some thesis candidates may be required to pass approved postgraduate papers before embarking on the thesis research, but will be advised of that before enrolment.
The thesis is a major piece of supervised research of up to 40,000 words on a topic of current interest.
The primary aim of the MA by thesis programme is to develop in a candidate skills needed to identify a significant topic, design and implement an extended piece of research, and present the findings in a form acceptable to an expert readership.
Choosing a research supervisor
If you plan on undertaking a Master of Arts (Thesis), you will also need to choose a research supervisor. Your supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all administrative requirements are met. Supervisors will also assess your suitability as a master's candidate based on your academic performance (often requiring supporting evidence), the fit between your research interests and theirs, and their availability and funding.
Find out more about how to choose a research supervisor.
Programme requirements
Programme requirements for the Master of Arts (Thesis)
Master of Arts (Coursework)
The Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA (Coursework)) programme is designed to provide a multi-disciplinary grounding for Humanities students in a range of subjects as preparation for further study or future employment. The programme will take either 12 months or three semesters of full-time study to complete, and can also be studied part-time.