Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Religious Studies

• The degree can be undertaken as a 240-point program of study comprising papers and a thesis for students with a bachelor’s degree or as a 120-point thesis-only program for students with appropriate postgraduate level study (see Section 1(c)).
• The degree may be awarded in any of the subjects listed in the MA(Thesis) Schedule. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) the degree may be awarded in a subject not listed in the MA(Thesis) Schedule.
• The student’s course of study shall be approved by the Dean, Head of School, program or Department. In the case of the 240-point program, the Dean, Head of School, program or Department will confirm that the combination of papers will provide adequate preparation for the thesis component.
• A candidate shall, before commencing the investigation to be described in the thesis, secure the approval of the Dean, Head of the School, or Head of program or Department concerned for the topic, the supervisory team, and the proposed course of the investigation.
• A candidate may not present a thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree.
• A candidate taking the degree by papers and thesis must pass both the papers and the thesis components.
• For a thesis, the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.

Subject areas

The degree may be awarded in any of the following subjects:

• Anthropology
• Childhood and Youth Studies* (thesis only)
• Chinese
• Classics
• Communication Studies
• Computer Science
• Development Studies* (thesis only)
• Economics
• Education
• English
• Film and Media Studies
• French
• Gender Studies
• Geography
• German
• History
• Human Services* (thesis only)
• Indigenous Development / He Kura Matanui
• Information Science
• Japanese
• Linguistics
• Māori Studies
• Mathematics
• Music
• Peace and Conflict Studies* (thesis only)
• Philosophy
• Politics* (thesis only)
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Statistics
• Theatre Studies

Level of Award of the Degree

The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

Religious Studies graduates can be found in many walks of life, including MP, UN adviser, lecturer, analyst, archivist, development organiser, and even a TV show host.

Our graduates have particular qualities valued by employers in many fields including:

Excellent critical thinking and writing skills

The ability to find information, analyse it in a logical and systematic manner, and communicate it clearly

Wide-ranging knowledge of both human history, culture and contemporary affairs

The ability to enter with empathy into the minds and hearts of others, to understand what motivates and shapes their behaviour.

Application details

Applicants must apply online. They should also attach all the necessary supporting documents which includes scanned copies of their previous official academic transcripts (awards gained, marks, grades) with their application, and provide proof of their identity this is usually achieved by providing a certified copy of the personal details page of their passport or a birth certificate (in English). Applicants must also submit detailed research proposal that shows they are familiar with current literature surrounding their topic; an up-to date curriculum vitae; and name of the academic staff member with whom they have been in contact; and with an approximate start date. They may also be required to submit an Educational Credential Evaluators report (ECE). As soon as applicants have completed their online application, their proof of identity document must be posted to International Office, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. International student applications for semester 1/summer school study close: Oct-31; Semester 2 study close: Apr-30.