MA degree module catalogue

Our MA courses let you choose from a wide selection of modules

This is an overview of the structure of the MA degree programme for 2025/26, offered within the School of Humanities, Social Sciences & Law, School of Business, and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. It is a catalogue of all the modules on offer at Levels 1 and 2 within the MA programme. It also contains information about modules outside the MA programme, which you may be able to take with the agreement of your adviser.

This information is for new students; existing students entering Second Year should also find it useful for their choice for Year 2.

Details of the process for the MA programme

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When you start, you’ll be assigned an Adviser of Studies (usually an academic in one of your degree subjects, though not always possible).

Their role:

help you choose modules
approve or discuss changes to your module choices
meet with you at least once per semester in your first year to discuss progress
offer advice on academic, financial, personal, or general concerns, and refer you to support services if needed

Module Selection Process

You’ll choose modules online before arrival, with guidance provided.
Your Adviser will check and approve your choices (may contact you by email if discussion is needed).
Any later changes to modules must be authorised by your Adviser.

Meeting Your Adviser

Incoming students:
- Will be emailed during Welcome Week with details of the meeting (check your Dundee email).
- This is your chance to meet them and ask questions.
Continuing students:
- Should already know their Adviser.
- If unsure, check eVision or contact your School.

Continuing students:

Follow the email instructions from your School.
Choose all modules for the year at the start of the academic year using your School’s process.
Module choice must be approved by your Adviser before you can fully matriculate (officially register as a University of Dundee student).

New entrant students:

Submit module choices online via the Welcome Pages.
Deadline: Friday 12 September 2025 (submit well before to allow approval before semester starts).

Deadlines for Changing Modules

First Semester changes:
- Must be agreed with your Adviser.
- Deadline: 12 noon, Friday 3 October 2025 (end of Week 2).
Second Semester changes:
- Can be made in first 2 weeks of the semester (with Adviser’s agreement).
- Recommendation: Change as early as possible to avoid missing too much teaching.
Important:
- Changes are not guaranteed due to module capacity.

Module levels & structure

Levels:
- Level 1 & 2: Usually 1 semester each, 20 credits
- Level 3 & 4: Usually 1 semester, 30 credits (some span 2 semesters)
Typical MA Honours Pattern:
1. Year 1: Six Level 1 modules
2. Year 2: Six Level 2 modules
3. Year 3: Four Level 3 modules
4. Year 4: Four Level 4 modules

Variation Rules

Up to two Level 1 modules in Year 2 (except Community Development & Youth Work).
Year 4: May take one Level 3 module depending on subject.
Year 1: Only Level 1 modules allowed.
Year 2 students must complete at least 4 Level 2 modules to progress to Year 3 (except Community Development & Youth Work, where all 6 must be Level 2).

Credit Requirements

Full-time load: 120 credits per year.
MA graduation without Honours: 360 credits after Year 3.
Fast-track option: Well-qualified entrants can start in Year 2 and graduate in 3 years.
Part-time students can spread study over more than 4 years.

A degree pathway is a roadmap that lists the required or recommended modules for a specific degree subject.

Years 1 & 2: Pathways are identical whether aiming for a 4-year MA (Hons) or a 3-year MA.
Recommendation: Stay on at least two pathways until end of Year 2 to keep subject options open.
Modules:
- Some subjects require 2 Level 1 + 2 Level 2 modules.
- Others allow progression with only 1 module (though 2 is advisable).
- Some offer a choice of modules at Levels 1 & 2.
Joint Honours:
- Can be split 4:4 or 3:5 between the two subjects.
- May also be combined with one or two languages (4-year study).
Credit Requirement for Honours Degree: 480 credits total.
MA (Hons) Liberal Arts Specifics:
- In Years 3 & 4, take modules from at least three subject areas.
- Normally no more than four modules in any single subject.

Assessments

Each module has a standard balance of coursework and exams.
Details for the 2025–26 academic year are given at semester start.

Pre-requisites and co-requisites

First Year: No pre- or co-requisites (except in Psychology & Mathematics).
Check ahead if modules in later years require specific prior modules.
Direct Second Year entrants get Adviser guidance to match prior education.

Single vs Joint Honours

Single Honours: Usually 8 modules in one subject in Years 3 & 4.
- Can take up to 2 modules in another subject and still graduate with Single Honours.
- Some subjects allow Single Honours with a language.
Joint Honours: Balanced (4:4) or slightly weighted (3:5) between two subjects.

About the content of modules

All modules are reviewed regularly with respect to capacity and delivery. This review may lead to a change in the core and/or optional modules offered on a particular course. Module content is reviewed and may be adjusted as part of this process. In some cases adjustments to content may be significant. Modules may be rescinded permanently or withdrawn on a temporary basis at any time.

Any information regarding the modules offered and their content is therefore subject to change and provided as guidance only to assist you with your choice of course. Reading lists are also provided for information purposes only and do not constitute a final or definitive list.

Your module choices

This list shows the modules that you must take (compulsory) or that are 'recommended' (i.e. highly relevant but not compulsory) for the pathway for a particular degree title, and where there are no compulsory modules, those that are recommended.

Students should choose their selected compulsory modules then go on to select their optional modules from the list, ensuring they have 120 credits (6 x level 1 modules).

*Available modules outside of the MA programme - With the agreement of an Adviser, students can study up to 40 credits at Level 1 or Level 2 outside the MA Degree Programme. (Subject to the timetable).

Economics, Business Economics with Marketing, Financial Economics

Level 1

Making of the Modern Economy module - BU12011 (compulsory)
Global Economic Perspectives - BU11004 (recommended)

Level 2

Microeconomics - BU21004 (compulsory)
Skills for Business and Economics - BU21012 (compulsory)
Co-requisites: BU21004, BU22005
Macroeconomics and Applied Policy - BU22005 (compulsory)
Co-requisite: BU21012, unless student has undertaken MA11001 & MA12001
Economics of an Unequal World - BU21006 (recommended)
Macroeconomics and Applied Policy - BU22005
Co-requisite: BU21012, unless student has undertaken MA11001 & MA12001

Career Modules

Level 1

Step-up Module Student Transition Enhancement Programme for University Progression - AG11023 (optional)

Level 2

Career Planning Module Online - AG20001 (optional)
Anti-requisite: AG22037, BU22009, EG32002, LW22021
Internship Module - AG22037 (optional)
Anti-requisite:AG20001, BU22009, EG32002, LW22021

Community Development and Youth Work

Level 1

Introduction to Community Development, Youth Work and Adult Education - CO10008 (compulsory)
Values: Self, Society and the Professions - ID11001 (compulsory)*
(Capped at 10 places)
Building Relationships in Communities - CO11009 (compulsory)
Working Together - ID10001 (compulsory)* (Capped at 10 places)

Level 2

Youth Work in Practice - CO21008 (compulsory)
Social Justice - CO20017 (compulsory)
Pre-requisites: completion of year one modules
Community Development & Sustainable Futures - CO20016 (compulsory)

Pre-requisites: completion of year one modules
Engaging Communities - CO21007 (compulsory)
Pre-requisites: completion of year one modules
Inquiry-Based Practice - CO20015 (compulsory)
Pre-requisites: completion of year one modules

Education and Social Work

Level 1

Relationship Building Skills - SW11011*(Capped at 10 places)
The Sociology and Development of Social Work - SW11009* (Capped at 10 places)

Level 2

Critical Knowledge for Social Work Practice 1 – Assessing Human Behaviour - SW21015* (Capped at 10 places)
Pre-requisites: completion of year one modules
Reflective and Ethical Practice - SW21011* (Capped at 10 places)
Pre-requisites: completion of year one modules
Action for Social Justice - SW21016* (Capped at 10 places)
Pre-requisites: completion of year one modules
Critical Knowledge for Social Work Practice Part 2 - SW22014* (Capped at 10 places)
Pre-requisites: completion of year one modules

English

Level 1

Humanities in Practice - HU11001 (compulsory)
Introduction to Literary Study - EN11001 (recommended)
Approaches to Reading - EN12014 (recommended)

Level 2

Literature and Society - EN22002 (recommended)
Literature in Context - EN21004 (recommended)

English and Creative Writing

Level 1

Humanities in Practice - HU11001 (compulsory)
Introduction to Literary Study - EN11001 (recommended)
Approaches to Reading - EN12014 (recommended)

Level 2

Practicing Creative Writing - EN22007 (recommended)
Literature and Society - EN22002 (recommended)
Literature in Context - EN21004 (recommended)

Environmental Science (Joint Honours only)

Level 1

From September 2025 onwards

An Introduction to Geography & Environmental Science -1 module - GE11001 (compulsory)
Introduction to Geography & Environmental Science - 2 module - EV12002 (compulsory) OR
Introduction to the Global Environment - EV10001 (Dundee and Angus BSc Env Science route)

If you started in 2024-25, your compulsory modules were EV11001 and EV12002 OR EV10001

Level 2

Earth Systems and Resources - EV21001 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): EV11001 and EV12002
and
Earth System Function and Measurement - EV22002 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): EV11001 and EV12002

Environmental Sustainability (Single Honours only)

Level 1

Sustainable Development and the Environment - UP11003 (compulsory)
Countryside Planning and Management - UP12003 (compulsory)
An Introduction to Geography & Environmental Science -1 - GE11001 (compulsory) and
Introduction to Geography & Environmental Science - 2 - EV12002 (compulsory)

Level 2

Managing Built and Natural Environments - UP21003 (compulsory)
Shaping the Environment: Politics, Environmentalism and Activism - UP22003 (compulsory)
Earth Systems and Resources - EV21001 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): EV11001 and EV12002
and
Earth System Function and Measurement - EV22002 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): EV11001 and EV12002

Environmental Sustainability (Joint Honours only)

Level 1

Sustainable Development and the Environment - UP11003 (compulsory)
Countryside Planning and Management - UP12003 (compulsory)

Level 2

Managing Built and Natural Environments - UP21003 (compulsory)
Shaping the Environment: Politics, Environmentalism and Activism - UP22003 (compulsory)

European Languages (Joint Honours), European Languages and Culture (Joint Honours only)

Level 1

Two pairs of language modules
Humanities in Practice - HU11001 (compulsory)

Level 2

Two pairs of language modules

European Philosophy (Single Honours only)

Levels 1 and 2

Two Philosophy modules in total
Thinking about life: Existentialism, Life World and Dasein - PI21004 (recommended) plus
Humanities in Practice - HU11001 (compulsory)

Science and Engineering

Level 1

Single/Joint Honours with a Modern Language

Degree subject modules plus two modules at each of Levels 1 and 2 in the language

Level 1

The following modules are recommended:

Level 2

Humanities in Practice - HU11001 (compulsory)

The following modules are recommended:

Film Studies (Joint Honours only)

Level 1

Reading the Screen: An Introduction to Film Studies - EN11003 (recommended)
Humanities in Practice - HU11001 (compulsory)

Level 2

National Cinemas Post-1945 - EN22006 (recommended) and
Classical Hollywood Cinema - EN21003 (recommended)

Geography

Level 1

From September 2025 onwards

An Introduction to Geography & Environmental Science -1 - GE11001 (compulsory)
Introduction to Geography & Environmental Science - 2 - EV12002 (compulsory) OR
Introduction to the Global Environment - EV10001 (Dundee and Angus BSc Env Science route)

If you started in 2024-25, your compulsory modules were: GE11001 and GE12002

Level 2

Dynamic Human Worlds: Society, Culture, Economy - GE21001 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): GE11001 and GE12002
Dynamic Physical Worlds: Earth, Water and Ice - GE22002 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): GE11001 and GE12002

General MA modules

Level 1

Humanities in Practice - HU11001
Core for all Level 1 Humanities Students and Direct Entry Level 2

Level 2

Gender, Sexuality, Culture - HU21001 (optional)

Geopolitics (Single Honours only)

Level 1

The following modules are compulsory

Level 2

International Relations - PO21001 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): PO11001 or PO12004
and
Dynamic Human Worlds: Society, Culture, Economy - GE21001 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): GE11001 and GE12002

History

Level 1

The Rise of Atlantic Empires, 1500-1750 - HY11005 (recommended) and
Revolutions in World History - HY11004 (recommended)
Humanities in Practice - HU11001 (compulsory)

Level 2

Scotland and the Wider World - HY22006 (recommended)
American Culture and Society in Context - HY22007 (optional)

International Business, International Business with Marketing

Level 1

Making of the Modern Economy module - BU12011 (compulsory)
Global Economic Perspectives - BU11004 (recommended)

Level 2

Microeconomics - BU21004 (compulsory)
Co-requisite: BU21012, unless student has undertaken MA11001 & MA12001
Skills for Business and Economics - BU21012 (compulsory)
Co-requisites: BU21004, BU22005
and
Macroeconomics and Applied Policy - BU22005 (compulsory)
Co-requisite: BU21012, unless student has undertaken MA11001 & MA12001
Economics of an Unequal World - BU21006 (recommended)

International Relations (Joint Honours only)

Level 1

Politics and Public Policy - PO11001 (compulsory) and
Global Challenges - PO12004 (compulsory)

Level 2

International Relations - PO21001 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): PO11001 or PO12004
and
Comparative Politics - PO22002 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): PO11001 or PO12004

Liberal Arts

This pathway is suspended and is now only available to current L2+ students

Level 1

Humanities in Practice - HU11001 (compulsory)

Mathematics (Joint Honours only)

Level 1

Core Mathematics I - MA11001 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite: a B pass at Higher Maths or equivalent
and
Core Mathematics II - MA12001 (compulsory)
Co-requisite: MA11001

Level 2

Core Mathematics III - MA21001 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): MA11001 and MA12001
and
Core Mathematics IV - MA22001 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): MA11001 and MA12001 Co-requisite: MA21001
Statistics and Probability - MA12003 (optional)
Pre-requisite: a C pass at Higher Maths or equivalent

Philosophy

Level 1

Humanities in Practice - HU11001 (compulsory)
Descartes, Thought and Reality - PI11007 (optional)
Introduction to Aesthetics - PI11005 (optional)

Level 2

Aesthetics - PI22006

Physics

Level 1

Space Physics and Astronomy - PH12003*

Politics

Level 1

Politics and Public Policy - PO11001 (compulsory) and
Global Challenges - PO12004 (compulsory)

Level 2

International Relations - PO21001 (compulsory) and
Comparative Politics - PO22002 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): PO11001 or PO12004

Psychology

Level 1

Introductory Psychology:1 - PY11001 (compulsory) and
Introductory Psychology:2 - PY12002 (compulsory)
Co-requisite: normally PY11001
Psychology and Me: Understanding ourselves in the wider world - PY12003 (recommended)

Level 2

Understanding the Mind - PY21001 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): PY11001 and PY12002
and
Individual Development - PY22002 (compulsory)
Pre-requisite(s): PY11001 and PY12002 and co-requisite(s): PY21001

Scottish Historical Studies

This pathway is now withdrawn and is only available to current L2+ students.

Level 1

The Rise of Atlantic Empires, 1500-1750 - HY11005 (recommended) and
Revolutions in World History - HY11004 (recommended)
Humanities in Practice - HU11001 (compulsory)

Level 2

Scotland and the Wider World - HY22006 (recommended)

Urban Planning (Single Honours only)

Level 1

Sustainable Development and the Environment - UP11003 (compulsory)
Countryside Planning and Management - UP12003 (compulsory)
Planning for Sustainable Places - UP11004 (compulsory)
Reading Urban Places - UP12004 (compulsory)

Level 2

Managing Built and Natural Environments - UP21003 (compulsory)
Shaping the Environment: Politics, Environmentalism and Activism - UP22003 (compulsory)
Shaping Cities: Politics, Theory and Practice - UP21004 (compulsory)
People and Places - UP22004 (compulsory)