Education (MA by Research)

Entry requirements

The normal entry requirements for enrolment on a MA by Research is an Honours degree (2:1 or above) from a UK university or an equivalent in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme to be followed.

A research proposal will be needed of between 500-700 words (plus bibliography) delineating your proposed area of research. Don't choose something too broad; your research must be achievable in the time. This detail will be reviewed in conjunction with your online research degree application to identify academic supervision providing the necessary expertise and knowledge to guide you through your research degree.

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 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent will be considered acceptable. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Months of entry

January, April, September

Course content

A Master's by Research (MA) allows you to undertake a one year full-time or two years 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, but it still requires independent study.

Research Master's students choose a specific project to work on and have a greater degree of independence in their work than is the case with a taught Master’s course.

You are expected to work to an approved programme of work which you will develop within the first few months of commencement of study, in conjunction with your supervisor. Whilst undertaking the research project, under the supervision of the supervisor, you will also develop your research skills.

At the end of the project you write up your findings in the form of a short thesis of around 25,000 words and this will then be examined.

You will be appointed a main supervisor who will advise and support you on your project.

On successful completion, you will be awarded your degree and if you have enjoyed this taste of research you may then decide to apply for the full research doctoral degree (PhD).

Information for international students

If you are an international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.

Fees and funding

This information is for those applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2021/22. Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X). This webpage will be updated with 2022/23 tuition fees as information becomes available.

In 2021/22 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £4,647.

Tuition fees for UK researchers will cover the cost of your study at the University. For more information about funding, fees and finance for UK students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see our Fees and Finance. Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

If you are interested in studying with us on a part-time basis, please visit our Fees and Finance pages for part-time fee information.

If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.