Usually enrolment is restricted to those awarded a first or upper second class Honours degree. Departmental requirements will be indicated before the beginning of work on the degree. The candidate's committee will discuss with the candidate exactly how such knowledge can be gained and when and how it will be assessed. The length of an MA thesis is approximately 30,000 words. It must normally be completed within two years of registration for the degree.
Many students complete their thesis within a year of their first enrolment.
When you have completed your thesis, you submit two copies to the Registry. While the Department has no scholarships of its own, it is sometimes able to offer thesis students part-time tutoring in undergraduate courses. Students should also consider applying for a VUW Postgraduate Scholarship. These are available to graduates of any university within or outside New Zealand, but are limited in number. Each year the University Teaching and Development Centre runs courses on 'Managing Your Thesis'.