Maritime Studies, MA by Research

This degree programme combines some of the coursework elements of a taught MA or MSc, with a longer dissertation which, unlike taught Masters' programmes, must be started at the beginning of the course.

The aim of the programme is to provide highly qualified and competent students who have a clearly focussed research interest with the opportunity to complete a Master's degree with more focus on that interest and fewer compulsory taught courses, without requiring the time or commitment necessary to complete an MPhil or PhD.

Students must complete an appropriate taught course in Research Methodology, either in the history area or the policy area, and two other courses.

The degree will be a key step on the career path of anyone wishing to pursue an academic career in maritime history, maritime policy, maritime commerce, or maritime defence and security studies. At the end of this degree, successful students may wish to register for a doctoral programme, since this MA provides a useful taster of research training and experience for those considering this route.

Aims of the programme

• To provide students who already have a clearly focussed research interest with the
  opportunity to complete a research-focussed Master's degree in the minimum
  possible time;
• To provide a stepping stone enabling rapid transfer from predominantly taught
  study to self-directed research and an academic career;
• To produce a high-quality and substantial piece of written work suitable for
  publication.

School

Greenwich Maritime Institute

Location

Greenwich Campus

Attendance

1 year full-time 2 years part-time

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have:

A good honours degree or an equivalent qualification (2.1 or above), or an equivalent qualification.

• Acceptance will depend on the presentation of an suitable research proposal of 500 words, and
confirmation that GMI has staff available who are equipped to supervise the proposed research
topic.

• UK-based applicants are interviewed prior to acceptance. Where English is the applicant's
second language, we require an IELTS score of at least 6.5, but we strongly advise applicants to aim for a score of 7.5 in order to cope with the programme.

• Applications and progress are also monitored by the University's Research Degrees Committee and,
where applicable, the Research Ethics Committee.

Assessment

Students are assessed through coursework, presentations and inclass test.

Career options

Academic or academic-related careers, journalism or PR in maritime history, maritime policy, maritime business, economics and commerce, maritime defence and security.

Content

• One option from: Research Methods in Maritime Policy; Sources, Methods &
  Archives for Maritime Historians (20 credits)
• GMI Research Dissertation (up to 40,000 words) (120 credits)
• Two 20-credit options from: Methods, Problems & Issues in Maritime Policy;Public Shipping Law; Maritime Environment and Energy; Themes in BritishMaritime History since the late 18th Century: The Royal Navy; Themes in BritishMaritime History since the late 18th Century: The Merchant Navy; Defence &Security; 20th Century International Maritime History; 20th Century International
  Naval History; Case Studies in Maritime Policy; Case Studies in Maritime History;
  Environmental History and the Sea: The British Isles, 1800-2011; Research
  Methods in Maritime Policy (if not selected as core); Sources, Methods & Archives
  for Maritime Historians (if not selected as core) (40 credits)

Your time at university should be enjoyable and rewarding, and it is important that it is not spoilt by unnecessary financial worries. We recommend that you spend time planning your finances, both before coming to university and while you are here. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Find out more about our fees and the support available to you at our:

• Postgraduate finance pages
• International students' finance pages