Master of Arts (MA) in Music by Research

Master of Arts by Research, Music Programme Code: ARA00

The MA consists of a written research dissertation.

Before research and writing commences for the dissertation, the student will be required to submit a proposal within six months after their first registration (part-time students have twelve months in which to submit this document).

The length of the proposal should be between 6 000 and 7 000 words. Once the proposal is accepted by Faculty, work should begin on the dissertation. See the Faculty’s Graduate Studies Handbook document for further information.

Supervision

The MA is a research degree that is undertaken through supervision, rather than formal taught courses. Notwithstanding this, and depending on the nature of the work and the intake of candidates, there may from time to time be seminar-type classes, attendance at and participation in which will be compulsory.

Depending on the nature of the envisioned research project, some candidates may need more than one supervisor. The School will only accept candidates for whom a suitable supervisor(s) are available and will attempt to involve expertise from other divisions within the School where necessary. In the case of co-supervision one of the supervisors will be appointed as primary supervisor.

Expectations of the dissertation

For master’s level research the work should demonstrate competencies in a number of areas. These include the presentation of a clearly stated research question or problem, a detailed literature review incorporating a critical approach to the literature surrounding the topic, an overview of the methodology used to obtain and process the data, a precise approach to data collection as well as an intellectual and thoughtful approach to analysis and interpretation of this data. The study also needs to contain a conclusion in which the results of the study are analysed in relation to the research question as well as the field more generally.

Scope of the dissertation
The length of the dissertation should be between 40 000 and 45 000 words.

Submission of dissertation

The deadline date for dissertation submissions is mid-February. Students will need to complete the required forms and obtain written permission and approval from the supervisor before submitting the work.

Annual report

It is important to meet regularly with your supervisor and draw up a schedule that suits your particular study. You will also be expected to submit an annual report to your supervisor which outlines the progress you have made and your plans for the next registration period.

Applicants for the MA must typically have graduated with a BMus, BMus Honours, or other undergraduate music degree. Evidence of research previously conducted (such as a long essay or article) (with a mark of at least 65%) should be submitted as part of the application.

Applicants who have not recently completed an undergraduate or postgraduate course or degree that involves written research, such as a long essay or mini-dissertation, may be required to present a sample of writing and/or successfully complete, as a co- requisite, a research methodology course within the University; a co-requisite course is not part of the MA itself, but in addition to it.

Applicants should, in the first instance, initiate discussion of their proposed plans for the creative work and research with relevant Wits Music staff. See the Wits School of Arts website (wits.ac.za/wsoa/music/staff/) for staff and their contact details.

Once it has been established that there is supervisory expertise within the area of creative work the applicant wishes to pursue, the applicant should complete a Faculty of Humanities Application for Postgraduate Study form, obtainable from the Wits School of Arts’ postgraduate administrator at PG.WSOA@wits.ac.za, or apply online at: wits.ac.za/postgraduate/. In addition, as an attachment to the form, applicants should include a one-page statement outlining their intended creative work and research.