You are here: Home / Future students / Course search / Master of Arts

Master of Arts

The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.

The Master of Arts provides advanced learning opportunities in the humanities and social sciences. You can choose to proceed by coursework to complete the required 8 units of study, or undertake a combination of coursework and a research path, comprising a dissertation on an approved topic within the discipline.

The degree also affords the opportunity for interdisciplinary study, both within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, or by combining approved units of study from other faculties: social policy and public relations, for instance, or philosophy and bioethics. The MA offers an enriching course of study building on your bachelor degree major, or a rewarding pathway to a higher degree by research in the humanities or social sciences.

The Master of Arts is available in the following areas: Archaeology; Arabic and Islamic Studies; Art History; Classics and Ancient History; English; Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies; History; Holocaust Studies; Sociology; Social Policy.

Specialisations

Units of study

For an up-to-date list of units of study for this degree, please refer to the online postgraduate handbook.

Full units of study list

Embedded courses

Further course information

Study plan

The MA requires the satisfactory completion of 8 units of study (48 credit points) (cp). Normally a minimum 4 units of study (24cp) in the subject area are required, but this may vary in some subject areas (see the details under Specialisations). The remaining units of study may be undertaken in a relevant or related field, subject to the approval of the academic coordinator. Candidates electing to undertake a dissertation (12cp) must prepare a research proposal and discuss their topic with the academic coordinator prior to enrolling. Approval is subject to the department's discretion and the availability of an appropriate academic supervisor. The dissertation is normally undertaken over two semesters and comprises research and writing toward a project of approximately 12,000 words.

Progression rules

Under normal progression, a student shall undertake and successfully complete all units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester as prescribed for the course. Candidates must maintain a credit average result or above, normally over at least the first four units of study, in order to qualify for admission to the dissertation units of study. Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for their units of study.

Capstone experience

Eligible candidates undertaking the degree of Master of Arts have the option of completing a dissertation on an approved topic over two units of study, normally undertaken over two semesters, with a value of 12 credit points, under the supervision of an academic staff member.

Course outcomes and further study

Graduate opportunities

Sydney Master of Arts graduates hold an advanced learning qualification in their chosen specialisation that may qualify them for further study or research opportunities in the subject area, or enhance career opportunities with employers who value the outstanding analytical, communications, interpersonal and problem-solving skills of humanities and social sciences postgraduates.

Further study

Graduates of the Master of Arts who have completed a dissertation with a meritorious grade are eligible to pursue a higher degree by research in their chosen subject area.

Other study options

Individual units of study within the program may be undertaken by suitably qualified candidates who do not wish to commit to the study of an award course. Non-award candidates are students of the University; on satisfactory completion of unit of study requirements, candidates receive an academic transcript showing the details of the unit or units of study undertaken, with results and grades. Subject to the approval of the Dean and individual course Resolutions, completed non-award study may be credited to an award course. You may, for instance, complete one or two units of study from the postgraduate Arts program one year and decide that you would like to undertake the Master of Arts the next; your study load in the Master degree is therefore reduced. Units of study may also be undertaken by cross-institutionally by students, subject to the approval of the Dean. Cross-institutional candidates are enrolled in a postgraduate award course at another university and have approval fro their home institution to complete a unit or units of study at Sydney, to be credited toward their degree. Please contact the Faculty about non-award and cross-institutional study.

How to apply

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications are made to the Universities Admissions Centre http://www.uac.edu.au/
Please note: not all courses are offered in the July semester intake.

Admission requirements

Admission to candidature for the Master of Arts requires:
(a) completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Arts, with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification; or
(b) a bachelor’s degree with a minimum credit (65%) average calculated over the whole degree, including a
major in a relevant subject area in the humanities or social sciences, or
an equivalent qualification.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University, or (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent).

Admission requirements

Admission to candidature for the Master of Arts requires:
(a) completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Arts, with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification; or
(b) a bachelor’s degree with a minimum credit (65%) average calculated over the whole degree, including a
major in a relevant subject area in the humanities or social sciences, or
an equivalent qualification.

Fee disclaimer

Domestic students

*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2011 your student contribution may differ.

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution please refer to the University's Future Student's online webpages at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/domestic_undergraduate/costs/calculating_costs.shtml

*(2)Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

This 2012 tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents

International students

International tuition fees for postgraduate students

This 2012 tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_coursework or http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_research

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.