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5 unusual Masters of Arts (MA) degrees

AuthorJemma Smith, senior editor
Posted on

MA courses span a range of subjects from history and design to languages, media and performance. If you're considering an arts or humanities degree, here are five unusual programmes to help get you thinking outside the box

Studying for an MA

Alongside the MSc, MA degrees are the most popular form of Masters study. As their name suggests, courses focus on arts and humanities subjects and they can be studied at a variety of institutions. In fact, there are even dedicated arts universities such as:

While not always necessary to secure work, a Master of Arts could give you the edge in the incredibly competitive creative industries.

While the courses highlighted in this article don't fully represent the scope of Master of Arts subjects available, we hope they get you thinking about some of the interesting options on offer.

If you’re curious about the length of courses, what they involve and typical costs, then head over to what is a Masters degree?

MA Egyptology

At The University of Manchester you can study for an online MA in Egyptology.

Over the course of two years, you'll study part time to advance your understanding of ancient Egyptian society and culture as you prepare for a career in the heritage sector or further postgraduate research.

During your first year you'll study mandatory units including:

  • academic skills and research design in Egyptian archaeology part 1 and part 2
  • art and artist in ancient Egypt
  • historical studies in ancient Egypt
  • urbanism in ancient Egypt.

In your second year you'll choose two optional modules from the following list:

  • ancient Egyptian religion and funerary beliefs
  • fast-track middle Egyptian
  • gender and identity in ancient Egypt
  • the Amarna period.

The latter half of your second year will be spent writing a 12,000 word dissertation.

For entry onto the programme you'll typically need a first or 2:1, with experience related to Egyptology.

In the 2026/2027 academic year UK students will pay £6,300 per year. Learn more about your postgraduate funding options.

MA Immersive Factual Storytelling

At University College London's (UCL) Bloomsbury campus you can study for an MA in Immersive Factual Storytelling.

Taking one year to study full time at a cost of £21,500 to UK students, the programme gives you the practical tools and confidence to become a successful member of the international immersive VR/AR documentary community. It provides training in the use of 360º cameras, immersive sound equipment and computer graphics-based VR experiences in order for you to tell factual stories on immersive platforms.

You'll participate in workshops, masterclasses and volunteer at industry events as well as study units such as :

  • Ethics and Editorial for Documentary
  • History and Aesthetics of Documentary
  • Introduction to Immersive Factual Storytelling
  • Interactive Factual Narratives
  • Sonic Experience Design and Production
  • The Story and I - Finding the Form: A Practical Exploration of Storytelling.

Entry requirements state that you'll need a 2:1 Bachelors degree and students who can show evidence of active engagement with visual or audio storytelling, either in previous work or study experience, will have an advantage.

Graduates of this course are equipped to find work in a range of careers in extended reality (XR) and virtual reality (VR) design and development.

MA Podcasting

At City St George's, University of London you can study for an MA in Podcasting. Developed with leading industry figures the course takes ten months to complete full time and two years part time. Suitable for anyone with a 2:1 undergraduate degree and a passion for podcasting, the programme teaches you how to turn podcasting into a career.

You'll learn technical skills in audio and video production, as well as how to target audiences, utilise social media and develop a brand.

Core course modules include:

  • Audience Strategy
  • Audio Storytelling
  • Audio Production
  • Ethics for Podcasting
  • From Pitch to Product
  • Social Community and Multimedia Management
  • UK Media Law.

You'll also choose from a list of elective units such as:

  • Data Journalism
  • Film, TV, Video and Radio Specialism
  • Investigative Reporting Specialism
  • Lifestyle Specialism
  • Political Headlines
  • Popular Culture Specialism
  • Sport Specialism
  • Voice and Presenting Skills.

Upon graduation you're well placed to seek careers in podcast creation, hosting and producing.

UK students taking the full-time degree in 2026/27 will pay £12,750.

Discover how to start podcasting and listen to all episodes of the Prospects Future You podcast.

MA Comedy Writing

Falmouth University runs a two-year, part-time MA in Comedy Writing.

On this online course you'll learn how to write comedy sketches, sitcoms and dramas for platforms such as TV, film and radio while studying the work of renowned writers and directors. You'll develop a comedy-writing portfolio made up of scripts and treatments alongside learning how to structure your working practice.

Five modules make up the programme:

  • Comedy Writers Room: Collaborative Script Development
  • Comic Storytelling for Screen and Audio
  • Individual Comedy Script Development
  • Screen Industries: Professional Development in Comedy
  • Final Major Project.

The course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, webinars, guest talks and discussion forums, with students expected to dedicate at least 20-25 hours per week to their studies. Read more about online learning.

An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent is desirable for entry, although those without formal qualifications are also encouraged to apply. As part of your application, you'll need to submit five pages of script for radio, TV or film.

In 2026/27, UK students will pay £12,150.

Graduates of the course have gone to work for Amazon, BBC and Sky with the course leading to careers in writing for:

  • advertising
  • film
  • script editing
  • theatre
  • TV
  • TV and audio production.

MA Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management

If you have an interest in conserving and protecting history for future generations consider the MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management at the University of York.

The two-year programme trains you for a career in stained glass conservation, cultural heritage management, arts administration, museums, and the administration of historic buildings by giving you hands-on experience with the latest conservation techniques, and an opportunity to work within leading conservation studios.

Core modules include:

  • Art and Imagery in York Minster
  • Heritage Principles and Concepts
  • History and Theory of Stained Glass Conservation
  • Histories of Conservation
  • Painting on Light
  • Sustainable Conservation Challenges.

You'll be able to select from an extensive list of optional modules, including:

  • Art, Magic and the Miraculous in Renaissance Italy
  • Art, Mass Media and Communication (1945 to 1991)
  • Fashion, Theories, Materials and Images (1540 to 1940)
  • Presenting Historic Houses
  • Scrolls and Serpents
  • Who Owns Antiquities? The Politics of Museology and Archaeology.

Upon graduation you could work as an:

  • archivist
  • heritage manager
  • historic buildings officer
  • history teacher.

You'll need a 2:1 in a related subject for entry. Those with a 2:2 or below will be considered on condition of an interview with the programme leader. Fees for 2026/27 are £12,000.

Other interesting Master of Arts programmes

Wherever your interest lies within arts and humanities, by searching for a Masters you're bound to discover a programme that meets your needs.

With so many courses on offer it can be a challenge to narrow down your options. For help with choosing a programme, see which Masters is right for me?

Find out more

Written by Jemma Smith, senior editor

Prospects · June 2026