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There are a number of ways you can do your master’s degree at Massey. Your master’s degree might involve:

• coursework
• a research project you write up into a thesis or report
• a combination of coursework and research
• professional or applied learning that gives you the credentials you need to work in your chosen field.

The structure of your degree depends on the qualification you’re studying towards and the pathway you choose to get there. Usually you start with coursework even if you need to write a thesis as part of your qualification.

Most master’s degrees at Massey are divided into two parts, and you can only move on to Part Two (800-level) if you’ve met certain requirements in Part One (700-level), such as a high enough grade point average (GPA). For most qualifications this is a B average or higher.

Pathways to a master’s degree

There are several pathways to enrolling in a master’s degree. Usually, you need a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in the subject you want to do your master’s in. If you want to enrol in a master’s degree but your bachelor’s degree is in a different subject, you may need to begin with a graduate diploma.

If you have an honours degree or postgraduate diploma in the subject you want to specialise in, you may be able to do a shorter master’s degree. Most master’s degrees take between one and two years, depending on your entry route.

In some cases, you may be able to enrol in a master’s degree without a relevant bachelor’s degree or graduate diploma if you have relevant work or life experience.

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

Find out more about types of qualifications

Progression in your master’s degree

Master’s degrees at Massey are either 120, 180 or 240 credits depending on the qualification you’re doing and your entry route. You can usually only do a 120-credit master’s degree if you have an honours degree or postgraduate diploma in your intended subject.

Our 180 and 240-credit master’s degrees are generally divided into two parts. To progress from Part One to Part Two, you need to meet certain requirements such as a high enough GPA. The exact requirements vary by qualification, so it’s best to check the page for the qualification you want to apply for to learn more.

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Types of master’s degrees

Master’s by coursework

For a master’s by coursework, your postgraduate study is a taught qualification where you take courses supported by lectures.

You generally still need to meet certain requirements in Part One of your master’s by coursework to move on to the courses in Part Two.

Master’s by coursework and research report

If your master’s degree involves both coursework and a research report, some of the courses you take will be research-related, including a research methods course.

While you’re doing your research courses, you’ll work with a supervisor who will help guide you through your research.

Master’s by coursework and thesis

A master’s by coursework and thesis is often called a research pathway. You take taught courses, usually in Part One, and then move on to a 90-120 credit supervised thesis in Part Two.

To go down the research pathway, you usually need to get a higher GPA in Part One than you would if you were doing a master’s by coursework.

Professional and applied master’s degrees

Some of the master’s degrees you can study at Massey are professional qualifications that give you the credentials you need to register and work in your field. For example, the Master of Clinical Psychology.

Time commitment

You can do most master’s degrees either full-time or part-time. Usually, you need to decide before you start your degree. If your qualification includes a thesis, you may be able to switch between part-time and full-time study before you begin your thesis.

It’s good to look at your personal commitments like work and family responsibilities as well as your academic goals when deciding whether to study part-time or full-time.

You might not be able to get some scholarships if you choose to study part-time. Studying part-time might also affect whether you can get .

To study full-time, you need to enrol in 105 credits or more during a 12-month period. Part-time study is anything less than this.

Find out how many hours you can expect to spend studying each week and get tips on time management

Find a master’s degree

You can find more information about the master’s degree you want to do on the qualification page for that degree.

Contact us

Please contact us if you have any questions about master’s study. Include your student ID number if you’re a current student.

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