MA - Screen and Media Studies as a main subject
Main Subject, Second Subject
The Master of Arts involves advanced study in an Arts subject and is intended for those who want to deepen their knowledge of that subject. The degree also includes a substantial component of independent research. The Master of Arts may be taken within the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, School of Arts or the School of Social Sciences.
Screen and Media Studies at Waikato makes sure you keep pace with new tools and platforms for the rapidly evolving media industry. You'll get high-quality learning experiences with up-to-date resources in our top 250 QS-rated programme.
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Key information
| Years: | 1 - 1.5 |
|---|---|
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): | $7,416 - $8,888 per year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $35,900 - $40,855 (120 pts) $53,855 - $61,290 (180 pts) |
| Entry Requirements: | Postgraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Career opportunities
- Arts Administrator
- Audio Visual Production
- Creative Business Owner
- Cultural Policy Analyst
- Freelancer
- Journalist
- Producer
- Public Relations Practitioner
- Script Writer
Degree Planner
Papers
Papers available within Screen and Media Studies
Prescriptions for the PGCert(SMSt), PGDip(SMSt), BA(Hons), BMCT(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MMCT
Note that COMPX543 and DSIGN532 may not be taken towards the BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons) or MA in Screen and Media Studies.
To complete a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Screen and Media Studies, students must complete 120 points at 500 level in Screen and Media Studies, including at least 30 points in research, normally MEDIA591 or an equivalent approved by the Programme Convenor, and at least 30 further points from papers listed for Screen and Media Studies.
To complete a BMCT(Hons) (China only) in Screen and Media Studies, students must complete 120 points at 500 level including MEDIA501, MEDIA591 and 60 points chosen from COMPX543, DSIGN532, GLOBE589, MEDIA504, MEDIA506, MEDIA507 and MEDIA508.
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA in Screen and Media Studies students must have completed either:
a) a BA with a major in Screen and Media Studies (or equivalent) with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
b) a BA(Hons) in Screen and Media Studies (or equivalent) with at least second class honours (second division) or a PGDip (or equivalent) in a relevant subject with at least a B average, and
c) have satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.
Completion requirements for the MA in Screen and Media Studies vary according to admission criteria:
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including MEDIA501, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.
Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, or a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.
Candidates for the MMCT in Screen and Media Studies should normally have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in a relevant discipline and have achieved at least a B average.
NOTE: Students applying for the MMCT will be required to submit a portfolio comprised of examples of written or practical work (film, animation, VR etc).
Students can choose one of the following options to complete their MMCT in 1 calendar year, or 1.5 calendar years.
Option 1: Creative Practice-Based MMCT - Students must complete 180 points at 500 level including: MEDIA501 and MEDIA508, and either 30 points from any other 500 level papers offered by the University and MEDIA593, or MEDIA594.
Option 2: Traditional Research-Based MMCT - Students must complete 180 points at 500 level including: MEDIA501, and MEDIA507, and either 30 points from any other 500 level papers offered by the University and MEDIA593, or MEDIA594
Option 3: School of Arts/Design MMCT - Students must complete 180 points at 500 level which must include: MEDIA501 and MEDIA592, and a further 90 points from MEDIA504, MEDIA506, either MEDIA507 or MEDIA508, MEDIA590 or any other 30 point 500 level paper offered by the University. Students cannot take both MEDIA507 and MEDIA508.
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALPSS500 | Academic & Professional Research & Writing | 30.0 | 24A (Online), 24B (Online) & 24C (Online) |
| In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills for the future' identified by the World Economic Forum (2020), in order to produce resilient, creative students with strong analytic and critical thinking skills. | |||
| MEDIA501 | Critical and Creative Approaches to Research | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper identifies the constraints and freedoms of research methods, and places a strong emphasis on research as an intellectual, theoretical, and processual activity as well as the roles of interdisciplinary projects in creating unique methodological and conceptual media research. | |||
| MEDIA504 | Articulating Theory, Design and New Aesthetics | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| In both Creative Practice and written graduate research choices between theoretical paradigms, research methods and the presentation of research outputs are closely aligned. This team-taught paper, which is complementary to MEDIA501, draws on the skills of staff practitioners in all of written, embodied, design-based, visual arts, ... | |||
| MEDIA507 | Theory and Research in Action | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton) |
| In this supervised paper, students will produce a pilot study utilising appropriate research frameworks and methodologies to form the basis of a topic which will support the completion of a robust dissertation. | |||
| MEDIA508 | Creative Practice Research | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24B (Hamilton) |
| Are you a creative practitioner that wants to experiment with practice related research? This supervised paper offers a site for experimentation and development of a practical project to be contextualised within appropriate creative practice research frameworks. This may include, but not limited to, a short film, documentary, anima... | |||
| MEDIA591 | Research Project | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton) & 24D (Hamilton) |
| Provides students with an opportunity to engage with a topic of their choice from the field of Screen and Media Studies under the guidance and supervision of a lecturer from the programme. The outcome is a report of approx 10,000 words or equivalent on the findings of a theoretical, empirical or practice-led investigation in the fi... | |||
| MEDIA592 | Dissertation | 60.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| Provides students with an opportunity to engage with a topic of their choice from the field of Screen and Media Studies under the guidance and supervision of a lecturer from the programme. The outcome is a report of approx 15,000 - 20,000 words or equivalent on the findings of a theoretical, empirical or practice-led investigation ... | |||
| MEDIA593 | Screen and Media Studies Thesis | 90.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| Provides students with an opportunity to engage with a topic of their choice from the field of Screen and Media Studies under the guidance and supervision of a lecturer from the programme. The outcome is a report of approx. 30,000 words or equivalent on the findings of a theoretical, empirical or practice-led investigation in the f... | |||
Scholarships and prizes
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Subject links
Subject Requirements
Expand to read Subject Requirements
Candidates for the MMCT in Screen and Media Studies should normally have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in a relevant discipline and have achieved at least a B average or better.
Please note: Students applying for the MMCT will be encouraged to submit a portfolio comprised of examples of written or practical work (film, animation, VR etc). Candidates are expected to have some experience with any software packages they wish to use for their projects.
Students can choose the following options to complete their MMCT in 1 calendar year, or 1.5 calendar years.
Option 1: Creative Practice-Based MMCT - Students must complete 180 points at 500 level including MEDIA501 (30 pts), MEDIA508 (30 pts) and a 120 point thesis, MEDIA594.
Option 2: Traditional Research-Based MMCT - Students must complete 180 points at 500 level including MEDIA501 (30 pts), MEDIA507 (30 pts) and a 120 point thesis MEDIA594.
Option 3: School of Arts/Design MMCT - Students must complete 180 points at 500 level including MEDIA501 (30 pts), 60 points from MEDIA504, MEDIA507, MEDIA508, MEDIA590 (all 30 pts) or any other 30 point 500 Level paper offered by the University, and MEDIA593.
Contacts
School of Arts
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4543
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]