5 unusual MA degrees

Master of Arts (MA) courses span a range of subjects from history and design to languages, media and performance. If you're considering an MA degree, here are five unusual programmes to help get you thinking outside the box

Alongside the MSc, MA degrees are the most popular form of Masters study. As their name suggests, courses focus on arts and humanities subjects and they can be studied at a variety of institutions. In fact, there are even dedicated arts universities such as:

• Arts University Bournemouth
• Central Saint Martins
• Goldsmiths University of London
• Leeds Arts University
• University for the Creative Arts.

While not always necessary to secure work, a Master of Arts could give you the edge in the incredibly competitive creative industries.

While the courses highlighted in this article don't fully represent the scope of Master of Arts subjects available, we hope they get you thinking about some of the interesting options on offer.

If you’re curious about the length of courses, what they involve and typical costs, then head over to what is a Masters degree?

MA Directing Circus

At the Bath School of Music and Performing Arts, part of Bath Spa University, you can study for an MA in Directing Circus.

During this one-year course you'll study the roles, strategies and practical skills of directing circus focusing on two areas - the director as author and the director as facilitator.

As part of the programme, you'll take part in a professional collaboration, which includes placements with leading UK contemporary circus companies. Other modules include:

• Research Methodologies and Context
• Directing Circus One: Performer as Source
• Circus Directing Two: Director as Author
• Major Project.

Studying at the institution's Kingswood site, which boasts three aerial spaces and a mirrored studio, teaching takes the form of workshops, seminars and off-site visits to rehearsing companies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, UK students will pay £7,715 in tuition fees. Learn more about your postgraduate funding options.

MA Immersive Factual Storytelling

At University College London's (UCL) Bloomsbury campus you can study for an MA in Immersive Factual Storytelling.

Taking one year to study full time at a cost of £19,300 to UK students, the programme gives you the practical tools and confidence to become a successful member of the international immersive VR/AR documentary community. It provides training in the use of 360º cameras, immersive sound equipment and computer graphics-based VR experiences in order for you to tell factual stories on immersive platforms.

As part of the course you'll participate in workshops, masterclasses and volunteer at industry events as well as study units such as :

• Introduction to Immersive Factual Storytelling
• Sonic Experience Design and Production
• The Story and I - Finding the Form: A Practical Exploration of Storytelling
• History and Aesthetics of Documentary
• Interactive Factual Narratives
• Ethics and Editorial for Documentary.

Entry requirements state that you'll need a 2:1 Bachelors degree and students who can show evidence of active engagement with visual or audio storytelling, either in previous work or study experience, will have an advantage.

MA Podcasting

At City, University of London you can study for an MA in Podcasting. Developed with leading industry figures the course takes ten months to complete full time and two years part time. Suitable for anyone with a 2:1 undergraduate degree and a passion for podcasting, the programme teaches you how to turn podcasting into a career.

You'll learn technical skills in audio and video production, as well as how to target audiences, utilise social media and develop a brand.

Core course modules include:

• Audience Strategy
• Audio Storytelling
• Audio Production
• Ethics for Podcasting
• From Pitch to Product
• Social Community and Multimedia Management
• UK Media Law.

You'll also choose from a list of elective units such as:

• Data Journalism
• Film, TV, Video and Radio Specialism
• Investigative Reporting Specialism
• Lifestyle Specialism
• Political Headlines
• Popular Culture Specialism
• Sport Specialism
• Voice and Presenting Skills.

Upon graduation you're well placed to seek careers in podcast creation, hosting and producing.

UK students taking the full-time degree in the 2024/25 academic year will pay £11,360 in tuition fees.

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MA Comedy Writing

Falmouth University runs a two-year, part-time MA in Comedy Writing.

On this online course you'll learn how to write comedy sketches, sitcoms and dramas for platforms such as TV, film and radio while studying the work of renowned writers and directors. You'll develop a comedy-writing portfolio made up of scripts and treatments alongside learning how to structure your working practice.

Five modules make up the programme:

• Comic Storytelling for Screen and Audio
• Screen Industries: Professional Development in Comedy
• Individual Comedy Script Development
• Comedy Writers Room: Collaborative Script Development
• Final Major Project.

The course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, webinars, guest talks and discussion forums, with students expected to dedicate at least 20-25 hours per week to their studies. Read more about online learning and choosing an online learning platform.

An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent is desirable for entry, although those without formal qualifications are also encouraged to apply. As part of your application, you'll need to submit five pages of script for radio, TV or film.

In 2024/25, UK students will pay £12,150.

MA Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management

If you have an interest in conserving and protecting history for future generations consider the MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management at the University of York.

The two-year programme trains you for a career in stained glass conservation, cultural heritage management, arts administration, museums, and the administration of historic buildings by giving you hands-on experience with the latest conservation techniques, and an opportunity to work within leading conservation studios.

Core modules include:

• Art and Imagery in York Minster
• Heritage Principles and Concepts
• History and Theory of Stained Glass Conservation
• Histories of Conservation
• Painting on Light
• Sustainable Conservation Challenges.

You'll be able to select from an extensive list of optional modules, examples include:

• Art, Magic and the Miraculous in Renaissance Italy
• Art, Mass Media and Communication (1945 to 1991)
• Fashion, Theories, Materials and Images (1540 to 1940)
• Presenting Historic Houses
• Scrolls and Serpents
• Who Owns Antiquities? The Politics of Museology and Archaeology.

Upon graduation you could work as an archivist, history teacher, heritage manager or historic buildings officer.

You'll need a 2:1 in a related subject for entry. Those with a 2:2 or below will be considered on condition of an interview with the programme leader. Fees for 2024/25 are £10,590.

Other interesting Master of Arts programmes

• MA Magic and Occult Science, University of Exeter - explore your interests within esotericism, witchcraft, ritual magic, occult science, and related topics. 
• MA Music Theatre, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama - this conservatoire style-training gives students of music and theatre the chance to hone their performance and creative skills. Learn more about conservatoires.
• MA Cities, Central Saint Martins - explores alternative, creative approaches to city-making.
• MA Writing for Young People, Bath Spa University - available both on-campus and online, the course is designed for writers of children and young adult books hoping to complete a novel.
• MA Digital Fashion, Leeds Arts University - a year-long course for those interested in the digital future of fashion.

Wherever your interest lies within arts and humanities, by searching for a Masters you're bound to discover a programme that meets your needs.

With so many courses on offer it can be a challenge to narrow down your options. For help with choosing a programme, see which Masters is right for me?

Find out more

• Learn more about what you can do with your degree.
• Discover how to apply for a Masters.