Program Overview

Master of Arts (MA) Programme Overview

The Master of Arts (MA) programme offers advanced scholarship and research opportunities in a range of subjects. Students can choose from research and taught degrees, with options for one-year or 18-month study periods, depending on their entry qualification. The programme allows students to contribute to the knowledge in their field by completing a substantial research project under the supervision of leading scholars.

Programme Structure

The MA programme is a 120- or 180-point programme with research and taught options, depending on the chosen subject. The structure of the programme depends on the subject being studied.

Taught (180-point)

• 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
• Students 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
• Students 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

Subjects Available in this Programme

The following subjects are available in the MA programme:

• Ancient History
• Anthropology
• Applied Linguistics
• Art History
• Asian Studies
• Chinese
• Criminology
• Drama
• Economics
• Education
• Employment Relations and Organisation Studies
• English
• French
• Gender Studies
• Geography
• German
• History
• Italian
• Japanese
• Latin
• Linguistics
• Media and Screen Studies
• Museums and Cultural Heritage
• Mori Studies
• Pacific Studies
• Philosophy
• Politics and International Relations
• Psychology
• Screen Production
• Sociology
• Spanish

Entry Requirements

University of Auckland Qualifications

• Minimum programme requirements:
  • Taught 120 points: GPA of 5.0
  • Taught 180 points: GPA of 5.0
  • Research 120 points: GPA of 5.0
• Further programme requirements:
  • Students must have completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in their intended subject, with a GPA of 5.0 or higher
  • Some subjects have specific courses that students need to have completed

Other Tertiary Institution Qualifications

• Minimum programme requirements:
  • Taught 120 points: GPE of 5.0, with one year of postgraduate study
  • Taught 180 points: GPE of 5.0, with an undergraduate degree
  • Research 120 points: GPE of 5.0, with one year of postgraduate study
• Further programme requirements:
  • Students must have completed a postgraduate qualification, following an undergraduate degree, from a recognised university in a similar discipline to their intended subject
  • Students must have a GPE of 5.0

Fees

2026 Fees

• Domestic students: NZ$9,392.40 $11,620.80
• International students: NZ$43,674 $55,484
• Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel, and health insurance, or living costs

Key Dates

• Semester One 2026: starts on 2 March, ends on 29 June
• Semester Two 2026: starts on 20 July, ends on 16 November
• Application closing dates:
  • Semester One 2026: 8 December 2025
  • Semester Two 2026: 8 June 2026

Career Opportunities

The MA programme is an effective way to develop knowledge and transferable skills to an advanced level. Graduates have taken their capabilities in strategic and critical thinking, communication, and cultural awareness into careers in government, international development, museums, and cultural heritage, research, and policy. Some jobs related to this programme include:

• Archaeologist
• Content and advertising manager
• Development officer
• Museum director
• Intelligence analyst
• Research, evaluation, and policy lead
• Research associate
• Strategy and stakeholder manager

Further Study Options

Graduates of the MA programme may also consider further study options, such as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).