The thermal degradation of a vinyl acetate-methacrylic acid (VA-MAA) copolymer with a 53:47 monomer ratio and about 65% alternating units and of the homopolymers has been investigated over the temperature range 160-500°C, in dynamic nitrogen, using TG, DSC and thermal volatilisation analysis (TVA). The main pyrolysis products have been identified and the characteristics of the reactions deduced and discussed.