Studying Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees

The Master of Arts (M.A., Magister Artium) is the most common Master's degree besides the Master of Science (M.Sc.) and nowadays awarded by most universities in Europe as well as world-wide. In combination with a 3-year or 4-year bachelor programme Master programmes replace old five-year programmes such as the German Magister and Diplom or the Dutch doctorandus. The study duration of a Master of Arts programme differs. There are 1-year as well as 2-year Master programmes offered.

According to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) on average 30 credits each semester have to be achieved. A one-year programme has therefore typically 60 ECTS, a two-year programme 120 ECTS accordingly. The Master of Arts is typically awarded in fields such as languages, history, geography, philosophy, fine arts but also social sciences and has thus an overlap with the Master of Science.

In order to receive a Master of Arts, the completion of a dissertation based on independent research is usually required besides the completion of courses.