MA degree - Level 2 Direct Entry module choice guidance

If you’re joining an MA degree at Level 2 through direct entry, use this guide to choose your modules and make sure you meet the requirements for your degree.

Start by exploring your MA

Visit the Welcome Pages for your course to learn how your MA works. Watch the Introducing an MA and Choosing Your Modules video and explore the MA Module Catalogue.

The video is designed for students starting at Level 1, so use the guidance below when choosing your Level 2 modules.

Understand your Level 2 requirements

You have been accepted directly into Year 2 because your previous study has been assessed as equivalent to the 120 credits normally completed in Year 1.

This means you do not need to take the Level 1 modules that your previous study covers. Instead, you’ll choose your Year 2 modules based on your intended degree pathway.

You must take:

• 120 credits across the academic year
• 60 credits in each semester
• six modules worth 20 credits each
• at least 80 Level 2 credits (four modules), unless you are studying Community Development and Youth Work, where all 120 credits must be at Level 2
• at least 80 credits from within the MA Programme

We strongly recommend taking at least 100 Level 2 credits. You can take all 120 credits at Level 2.

With approval from your Adviser of Studies, you can take up to 40 credits from outside the Level 2 MA Programme. These can include eligible Level 1 modules.

Avoid repeating previous study

You cannot take a Level 1 module if you have already received credit for equivalent study as part of your previous qualification.

For example, if your previous study has been accepted as equivalent to Year 1 Psychology, you cannot take the Year 1 Psychology modules again alongside your Level 2 modules.

Choose your modules

Follow these steps when making your choices.

1. Choose your compulsory modules

Start by looking at the compulsory Level 2 modules for your intended degree pathway in the MA Module Catalogue.

Not all pathways have compulsory modules.

If your pathway has compulsory modules, you must take them.

You do not need to take the Level 1 modules listed for your pathway because your previous study has already been accepted as equivalent to this level of study.

2. Consider the recommended modules

Next, look at the recommended Level 2 modules for your degree pathway.

These modules are optional, but they may help you develop your subject knowledge and prepare for future study.

3. Choose your remaining modules

Choose additional modules from the MA Module Catalogue to complete your 120 credits.

Check that your choices meet all of the following requirements:

• 120 credits in total
• 60 credits in each semester
• at least 80 Level 2 credits, unless you are studying Community Development and Youth Work
• at least 80 credits from within the MA Programme
• the compulsory Level 2 modules for your pathway, where applicable
• no Level 1 modules for which you already have equivalent credit

We recommend taking 100 or 120 Level 2 credits where possible.

If you are studying Community Development and Youth Work, all 120 credits must be at Level 2.

Examples of module choices

The examples below show how you could build your module choices while meeting the requirements.

Environmental Science and Geography

A student joining Year 2 of MA Environmental Science and Geography could take:

Semester 1

• EV21001 – Environmental Science
• GE21001 – Geography
• UP21004 – optional module

Semester 2

• EV22002 – Environmental Science
• GE22002 – Geography
• UP22004 – optional module

The student takes the compulsory modules for both subjects and uses one optional module in each semester to complete their 120 credits.

English

A student joining Year 2 of MA English could choose recommended English modules alongside other eligible modules.

Semester 1

• EN21004 – recommended English module
• HY22007 – America: Culture and Society
• AG22037 – Internship

Semester 2

• EN22002 – recommended English module
• HY22006 – History
• EN21003 – Classic Hollywood

You must make sure your choices meet the Level 2 and MA Programme credit requirements. Your Adviser of Studies can help you check that your proposed combination is suitable.

Confirm your module choices

Once you have chosen your modules, complete the MA Module Choice Form for Direct Entry Year 2. You can access the form through the Welcome Pages for your course.

If you’re unsure about your choices, contact your Adviser of Studies. You can find their name and email address in eVision.

Your Adviser can confirm whether your choices are suitable and may arrange an online meeting with you if you need to discuss them.

If you cannot find your Adviser’s details, contact your Division and they can put you in touch.