School of Humanities

School of Humanities

Master of Arts in History

MA Thesis

An MA thesis provides the opportunity to develop skills learnt in Honours papers by researching a topic in some depth and writing up the results in a thesis of between 40,000 and 50,000 words, including footnotes, bibliography and appendices.

In general terms, an MA thesis is expected to make a contribution to knowledge, but it will be assessed primarily on the evidence it affords of the candidate's understanding of the principles of historical research and ability to apply them. Students are expected to demonstrate certain skills:

  • an ability to select/define a topic/area of study;
  • a thorough understanding of appropriate secondary material and a critical awareness of its historiographic development and significance;
  • an ability to find, select, examine, incisively analyse and marshal in support of an argument a substantial body of primary source material;
  • an ability to develop and offer arguments/conclusions based upon this original research which substantiate, modify, challenge or in other ways add to current historical understanding of the relevant subject/issue;
  • a scholarly level of writing and presentation.

Two routes to an MA thesis

There are two types of MA: a two-part degree with papers and a thesis, awarded with Honours; or a one-part degree by thesis alone, taken after graduating BA(Hons), and awarded with Distinction, Merit, or Pass. The first year of MA(Hons) is the same as the BA(Hons) year. Students are strongly encouraged to enrol initially for BA(Hons), with the possibility of transferring to MA(Hons) when their papers are completed, but before graduating with BA(Hons).

Acceptance of a change of enrolment to MA(Hons), or of enrolment for MA by thesis alone, depends normally on the achievement of a Second Class Honours, division one (or an average grade of at least B+) level in Honours papers.

Choosing a thesis topic

The History Programme expects the initiative in choosing a thesis topic to come from the student. Often a thesis topic arises out of one of the Honours courses or from an undergraduate paper. This will have helped to establish some background for research. Students may wish to research a topic that they have not studied hitherto, but on which they have begun some initial reading.

The topic needs to be in an area in which the Department has the necessary expertise and resources to offer supervision. Refer to our website page of academic staff and the links to their research interests. Students are encouraged to consult individual staff members or the Director of Graduate Students about the possibility of supervision of research on a topic, and for help in defining the topic and in determining whether adequate primary sources are available or can be obtained. The Director of Graduate Students can suggest who prospective thesis writers should approach, and can give help particularly to students from other universities.

Note that Honours students who wish to embark on an MA thesis and apply for a Student Allowance/Loan Summer Extension in October require confirmation from the Director of Graduate Students. Such confirmation will only be given

(i) where it appears that the applicant is likely to achieve an average grade of at least B+ in her/his Honours papers, and

(ii) a supervisor has accepted a preliminary thesis proposal.

Requirements for approval of a topic

Students should begin discussions with the Director of Graduate Students and a likely supervisor well in advance of formal enrolment which may occur at any time.

  • History Programme requires that a thesis proposal be approved by the school's Research Committee before a student can be enrolled or the proposal formally registered. A thesis proposal submitted in support of an application for a scholarship will need to be approved by the Research Committee before a student can be enrolled.
    Where the commencement of payment of student allowances, loans, and scholarships depends on enrolment by 28 February, students need to submit their thesis proposals by 1 February to allow sufficient time for approval by the Research Committee and for making any modifications that may be required prior to enrolment.
  • The objective of a thesis proposal is to demonstrate that the thesis topic is viable and that the thesis can normally be completed successfully (in terms of specified criteria) in one year. The viability of a thesis topic is assessed in terms of the definition of the topic, the adequacy of sources, the availability of supervision, and the proposed timetable for completion.
  • The definition of a topic entails outlining the problem or issue(s) to be investigated in the light of a critical appraisal of the relevant historiography. Essentially, the definition of the topic provides the justification for the thesis. The discussion can be brief (no more than 500 words). A bibliography of key secondary works is required.
  • Sufficient primary sources need to be available within New Zealand, or obtainable (within school resources) from outside New Zealand, to be able to reach conclusions on the specified thesis problem or issue. The proposal has to specify the relevant primary sources, their location, and comment on how they will be used.
  • Two supervisors, willing and able to supervise the thesis, are required. (In consultation with the Director of Graduate Students, candidates will approach staff members about the possibility of supervision.) The senior supervisor has to be a member of the School of History, but the co- or associate supervisor need not be. Both supervisors are required to sign (and thereby indicate their approval of) the proposal.
  • Where oral evidence from interviews is involved, approval by the University's Human Ethics Committee is required before registration.
  • An initial timetable for completion should specify the number of proposed chapters, the amount of time expected to be taken to research, write, and revise them, and a completion date.
  • As required by University regulations, every research proposal shall be accompanied by the University's application form for Approval of Registration of Master's Research Proposal. This form includes a standardised supervision agreement signed by the student, the senior supervisor (who is responsible for ensuring administrative and regulatory requirements are met) and the Head of School or the Director of Postgraduate Students. The supervision agreement should reflect the conclusions of a prior discussion between the student and supervisors of their various responsibilities. The application form can be obtained from the Programme Administrator, or from: Academic Services . Please attach this completed form to the thesis proposal to be submitted for approval by the Research Committee.

Template for a proposal

Cover Sheet

  • Thesis proposal for: MA registration; PhD enrolment; PhD registration
  • name of candidate, postal address, phone number or email
  • working title of thesis
  • names of supervisors, their comments, and signatures.

Contents

  • Thesis statement: the topic, problem, questions/issues to be examined
  • preliminary review of key secondary literature in support of thesis statement (length according to type of proposal)
  • description of primary sources available to examine issues raised
  • bibliography of key primary and secondary sources
  • proposed timetable for research and writing which includes a preliminary outline of possible chapters
  • Application for Approval of Registration

Seminar on research methods for new thesis writers

All newly-enrolled thesis writers are expected to attend a series of weekly seminars which provide guidance on methods and techniques of research, quantification, and the interpretation of sources; on varieties of explanation; on writing and basic scholarly conventions; and on the presentation of seminars and publication of research. Further details on the timing and content of these seminars will be given in a Supplementary Guide to students on their enrolment.

Postgraduate research conference

All MA thesis writers are expected to present short (15-minute) papers to a Programme thesis research conference in October each year.

Reports on progress

  • Masters students doing thesis work must submit written progress reports to the Director of Graduate Students, through the senior supervisor, every six months, with the first report submitted six months after the date of registration of the research proposal.
  • The candidate's report should give (i) a summary of progress in research and writing to date, including any changes to the proposed theme and structure of the thesis; (ii) an outline of the proposed programme for the next six months; and (iii) an outline of any difficulties experienced whether in respect of supervision, resources, or otherwise.
  • The candidate's report must be accompanied by a report from the senior supervisor on the candidate's progress. The senior supervisor's report will be on a standard form available from the School Administrator or from: Academic Services . The student shall also sign this report and may add comment if he or she wishes.
  • Both the candidate and the senior supervisor's reports will be submitted to the School's Research Committee for comment and approval. Reports may be returned to candidates and supervisors for further comment or clarification before being submitted by the Head of School to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies.
  • If the report is unsatisfactory, or if progress is unsatisfactory, or if there is a dispute between student and any member of the supervisory team, the Dean of Postgraduate Studies, in consultation with the Head of School and/or the senior supervisor, if appropriate, will take appropriate action. This may include discussing with the Head of School and/or the senior supervisor ways in which progress may be improved. It may include the issuing of a formal warning to the student if progress is unsatisfactory, and, in the case of a dispute, it may include an attempt at resolution of the dispute.
  • If at any time the student is dissatisfied with the supervision provided or the resources available or with any other matter affecting his or her progress, the student should report the matter to the Head of School or the appropriate person or committee in the school. If the student is still dissatisfied, he or she may take the matter to the Joint Academic Grievance Committee, or make an appeal to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies. The candidate may seek the advice of the Education Co-ordinator at UCSA before reporting to the Dean of the Grievance Committee.

Completion and submission of theses

The expectation of the History Programme is that full-time students will normally complete the MA thesis within a year, and that part-time students will do so in two years. For full-time students, Part II of the MA(Hons) degree and the one-part MA degree have to be completed within two years after enrolment (normally 28 February) to qualify for Honours (or Distinction or Merit); for part-time students, four years after enrolment.

Extensions can be granted only by the University's Academic Administration Committee. This committee may also permit suspension of enrolment for a specified period on certain grounds (eg, financial, health, employment). Liability for fees is also suspended. Before applying to the Academic Administration Committee, you should consult your supervisor and the Director of Graduate Students.

There are technical requirements for the submission of theses for examination and deposit in the Library. The General Course and Examination Regulations, Section L, in the Calendar provide some guidance. It is also necessary to consult the Library's guide to the production of theses. It is also available at the Central Library Information Desk.

Two copies of the thesis are submitted to the Registry for examination. They must be submitted in soft bound form. A fee is paid at the time of submission which provides for hard binding by the Library after successful examination. The internal examiner is responsible to see that the thesis is deposited in the Library after examination. The second copy of the thesis is deposited in the School of History, normally with the supervisor.

Examination of theses

An MA thesis is examined by written reports presented independently from an internal examiner who is a continuing staff member of the History Programme (usually but not necessarily a supervisor) and an examiner, external to the school and the supervisory team, who is deemed to be the most appropriate person to examine the particular subject. The candidate has the right to make a case to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies that a particular person, including a supervisor, not be an examiner.

After consultation with the candidate and other supervisors, the senior supervisor recommends to the Director of Graduate Students an external examiner to be approved by the Research Committee. The external examiner is not to be a close working colleague of any of the supervisors.

After approval by the Research Committee, the Director of Graduate Students will seek the agreement of the nominee and, if obtained, forward the nomination for approval by the Dean of Postgraduate Studies.

In addition, the History Programme provides the Registry with a statement about its normal requirements for a thesis (as set out in this Guide), and a description as to what part the supervisors played in the conduct of the research and the preparation of the thesis. The Registry will send this statement to the examiners along with a copy of the thesis. Examiners are expected to report independently on a thesis within three months, sending their reports to the Academic Section of the Registry.

The examiners recommend whether the thesis should be accepted as fulfilling the requirements for an MA thesis, and the level at which it should be passed (assuming it is considered to be of pass standard). The normal procedure is for the thesis to be assessed on its merits, as it is presented.

In their reports the examiners will usually include:

  • an over-all evaluation of the substance and quality of the thesis;
  • an indication of particular strengths and weaknesses of such features as interpretation and argument, and historiographic and/or theoretical rigour; and
  • comments on particular strengths and weaknesses in written expression and presentation.

The examiners are also expected to comment on the extent to which the thesis demonstrates the skills itemised above. They can require corrections to be made before a thesis is deposited in the University Library. Where an examiner considers the thesis to be failing s/he can recommend such revision that, if completed satisfactorily, should result in the thesis being awarded a passing grade.

The University requires that each supervisor who is not an examiner must submit to the Academic Section of the Registry a contextual report which should provide a commentary on her or his working relationship with the candidate, an opinion on the extent to which the thesis work is the candidate's own, and opinions on where the candidate's work stands in the context of the University and in the context of the discipline, both nationally and internationally.

The Registry will forward the examiners' and contextual reports to the Head of School and the final grade is determined by the Research Committee. Where different grades are submitted by examiners:

  • The internal examiner will be given the external examiner's report and provide a response to the Director of Graduate Students.
  • If the internal examiner wishes to maintain her/his recommended grade, the internal examiner's report will be submitted to the external examiner.
  • If the external examiner wishes to maintain her/his recommended grade, then the thesis will be submitted for arbitration to a third examiner who will provide a grade in the light of the examiners' reports. The arbitrator's grade will be final.

At the end of the examination process, the student will normally be given a copy of all examiners' reports, with the proviso that an examiner may elect to keep his or her report confidential.

Assessment MA(Hons)

The Faculty of Arts policy for the recommendation of Honours is:

  • A+ or A or A- First Class Honours
  • B+ average Second Class Honours, Division One
  • B or B- Second Class Honours, Division Two
  • C+ or C Pass
  • D or E Fail

Note that when an MA is by both papers and thesis, the thesis component in the MA results is equal to the four papers.

Assessment MA by thesis only

The Faculty of Arts policy for the recommendation of Masters is:

  • A+ or A or A-: MA with Distinction
  • B+: MA with Merit
  • B or lower: MA Pass
  • D or E: Fail