Program Overview

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Overview

A Master of Arts (MA) by Research allows you to undertake a one-year (full-time) or two-year (part-time) research degree. It contains little or no formal taught component. This type of study gives you the chance to explore a research topic over a shorter time than a more in-depth doctoral programme.

Key Information

Entry requirements

The normal entry requirements for enrolment on a MA by Research is an Honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject, or a qualification of an equivalent standard, in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme.

• If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification.
  • The minimum for IELTS is 7.0 overall with no element lower than 6.5, or equivalent.

Start dates

• 1 October 2025
• 12 January 2026
• 20 April 2026

Application deadlines

• For September 2025
  • 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For October 2025
  • 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For January 2026
  • 17 October 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 14 November 2025 for Home Students
• For April 2026
  • 23 January 2026 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 20 February 2026 for Home Students

Duration

The maximum duration for an MA by Research is 1 year (12 months) full-time or 2 years (24 months) part-time with an optional submission pending (writing-up) period of 4 months.

What can I research?

We welcome applications from students interested in areas such as:

• Lifewriting, including literary biography
• Scriptwriting
• Short fiction
• The gothic novel
• The literary novel
• The post-pastoral
• Working-class fiction
• Poetry and social engagement
• Poetry and place
• Epic poetry

Teaching and Assessment

• As a minimum you can expect to meet with your supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students).
• Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with you and your supervisor.
• A research degree has no compulsory taught element, the study period is for 52 weeks a year with a 35-day annual leave allowance.
• You are expected to study for at least 35 hours a week for full-time study.

Fees and Finance

• In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £5,050.
• In 2025/26 the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,525.
• Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University.
• Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

• When you are offered a place on a research degree, your offer will include confirmation of your supervisory team, and the topic you will be researching and will be governed by our terms & Conditions, student handbook and relevant policies.
• Changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, for example pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.
• Your research project is likely to evolve as you work on it and these minor changes are a natural and expected part of your study.
• If this is the case, we will discuss these issues with you and agree any necessary changes.
• If you are an international student, changing topics may affect your visa or ATAS clearance and if this is the case we will discuss this with you before any changes are made.

Why choose Huddersfield?

• Our teaching staff rank first in England for the proportion with higher degrees and teaching qualifications, as well as being top five for those holding doctorates.
• £36,101.44 is the average salary of our postgraduates fifteen months after graduating.
• 97% of our postgraduate students go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating.

Researcher Environment

Our postgraduate researchers contribute to our thriving research culture at Huddersfield, in return we provide an experience that enhances your potential and inspires you to think big and become a globally competitive researcher.

• We are in the top 50 UK universities for research power, and nearly two thirds of our research environment is classified as world leading and internationally excellent (REF2021).
• As a researcher, you’ll gain access to our bespoke training programmes which are delivered in a variety of ways to take advantage of online platforms as well as face-to-face workshops and courses.
• You can access a range of tailored training opportunities available at each stage of your journey, including:
  • sessions on PhD thesis writing, publications and journals, post-doctoral opportunities, poster and conference presentations, networking, and international travel opportunities
  • opportunity to work and study abroad via the Turing Scheme through The Graduate School
  • externally accredited training programme with Advance HE (HEA) and CMI
  • online research training support accessed through a dedicated researcher module in Brightspace, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment
• We also hold a series of PGR focussed events such as 3 Minute Thesis * PGR led research conference * informal events throughout the year

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life.

• Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.
• Find out more about all our support services.

Facilities

• Oastler Research Study Area
• Our Campus
• Oastler Breakout Space
• Interior of the Oastler building
• Students in the Library
• Classroom
• Students socialising in a common space
• Oastler Research Study Area
• Our Campus

THE Impact Rankings

We currently hold the following THE Impact Rankings:

• 6th out of 796 global institutions for reduced inequalities in the THE Impact Rankings - recognising our research on social inequalities, policies on discrimination and commitment to recruitment staff and students from underrepresented groups.
• 45th out of 850 global institutions for decent work and economic growth - which measures universities' economic research, their employment practices and our share of students taking work placements.
• 50th out of 745 global institutions for peace, justice, and strong institutions - which measure universities' research on peace, justice and our participation as advisors for government policies and academic freedom.

World leading

Our researchers carry out work that makes a real difference to people's lives:

• We are in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power.
• Three quarters of all our research is world leading and internationally excellent.
• Over 60% of our research environment was classified as world leading and internationally excellent, especially in Music, Biological Sciences, Architecture and Built Environment, Social Work and Social Policy, History and Communication and Media Studies.

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