Regulations for the Degree of Master of Arts (MA)

1. The Personal Programmes of Study Regulations apply in these regulations.

Admission

2. Candidates for the Degree must have
   1. qualified for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Arts of the University of Waikato with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
   2. qualified for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours of the University of Waikato with at least second class honours (second division), or for a Postgraduate Diploma with at least a B average, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, and
   3. satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.
3. In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit and relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the requirements of section 2 of these regulations may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.

Requirements for the Degree

4. The normal minimum period of enrolment for completion of the Degree for candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations in one calendar year or one and a half academic years. The normal minimum period of enrolment for candidates admitted under section 2(b) of these regulations is one academic year. The requirements of the Degree must be completed within four consecutive years of first enrolling for the Degree.
5. Candidates must enrol in the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences or the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies and follow an approved programme of study.
6. Candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations must gain 180 points at 500 level or above. Candidates admitted under section 2(b) of these regulations must gain 120 points at 500 level or above.
7. Candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations must gain at least 60 points from one of the subjects in clause 9, including; either ALPSS500 or an approved research methods paper, at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study, and any compulsory papers prescribed in the relevant subject entry in the University of Waikato Subject Regulations.
8. Candidates admitted under section 2(b) of these regulations must gain at least 60 points from one of the following subjects, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study, and any compulsory papers prescribed in the relevant subject entry in the University of Waikato Subject Regulations.
9. Subjects for the degree are:
   1. Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences subjects

   Anthropology
   Chinese¹
   English
   French¹
   Geography
   History
   International Relations
   International Relations and Security Studies¹
   Japanese¹
   Music
   Philosophy
   Political Science
   Psychology
   Screen and Media Studies
   Social Policy
   Sociology
   Theatre Studies

   2. Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies subjects

Māori and Indigenous Studies
Pacific and Indigenous Studies

10. Candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations may take up to 60 points from outside of the field of the Degree. Candidates admission under section 2(b) of these regulations may take up to 30 points from outside the field of the Degree.
11. The field of the Degree comprises all the subjects listed in section 9 of these regulations.
12. If a candidate fails a paper or papers (worth not more than 30 points in total), they may repeat the paper or papers or take an alternative paper or papers with the same total points value on one occasion only. A candidate who fails a paper or papers worth more than 30 points in total will not be permitted to proceed with the Degree.

Examination of thesis (90 points and above)

13. The University will appoint two examiners for the candidate's thesis; one examiner external to the University and active in the research field of the thesis; and one examiner internal to the University, with a good grounding in the research field, who is not directly connected to the candidate, or the candidate’s thesis research or supervision.

Award of Honours

14. The Degree may be awarded with
    1. First Class Honours, or
    2. Second Class Honours (first division), or
    3. Second Class Honours (second division), or
    4. without honours.

15. Except with the approval of the Academic Board, the level of honours will be calculated on the basis of the grades for all of the papers completed for the Degree.

Variations

16. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences or the Dean of the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies or delegated authority may vary or waive these regulations in individual cases.

Notes:

¹ There will be no intake into this subject in 2025.