Guide to studying postgraduate Arts

Four steps to Masters thesis enrolment:

1. Identify a potential supervisor

Contact the Programme Coordinator of the programme you wish to enrol in and discuss your proposed topic of research. They will advise you whether there are suitable academic staff available to supervise you. 

2. Apply to enrol 

UC has specific enrolment information for students who are new to UC, advancing UC students, or international students. Please note that this process may include an application form for admission to the University if you are a new or international student. Apply to enrol.

3. Complete and submit a Masters Thesis Enrolment Application Form

This form must be completed in conjunction with your supervisor, Head of School or Programme Coordinator and submitted to the Faculty of Arts for the Dean’s approval. Your application to enrol cannot be approved until this application form is submitted to the Faculty Office. 

This application must be made by all applicants, including those who have submitted an application for admission ad eundem statum to the International Office.

Choose one of the forms below:

• Masters Research Enrolment (MA, MFA, MMus, MPAG)

• Master of Linguistics Enrolment Application

4. Accept formal offer and pay your fees

Once your application to enter the programme has been approved, you will receive a letter from the Faculty of Arts detailing your commencement date, final submission date and the submission dates for your Thesis Proposal and first progress report.

To finalise your enrolment you need to also formally enrol, accept your offer and pay your fees.

Your next task will be to prepare a Thesis Proposal which has to be accepted by your Programme/School as well as the Dean. The proposal must be accompanied by the Master’s Thesis Proposal Registration form.

Finalise your enrolment by accepting your formal offer and paying your course fees.

For the Research Master's Student Lifecycle as well as all application forms, please see Te Kura Tāura | UC Graduate School.

Enrolling to undertake a PhD thesis

PhD enrolment steps are outlined on the Te Kura Tāura | Graduate School site.

Find key information about admission, what you need to meet the entry requirements and the application process for doctoral study

Find out about studying at UC and about the steps to apply and enrol as a student at UC, or contact the International Relations Office.

Consult UC's Scholarships database for the full list of available scholarships.

For further information on postgraduate studies and the postgraduate qualifications offered by the University of Canterbury, please download the University's Postgraduate Prospectus below.

Please refer to the University of Canterbury Calendar for detailed information on the individual degree regulations.

Information is also available on the individual Departmental/School websites.

Extra advice on how to make postgraduate study work for you can be found at UC's postgraduate pages.