Course information

Length

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Course overview

This programme offers you the chance to engage with the key issues in the formulation of arts and cultural policy and the administration of the arts.

  • This MA from the Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship will enable you to develop an awareness of and a critical approach to the discipline, by studying arts policy and practice in Europe, Scandinavia, and a number of global countries. You will also study audience development, fundraising, arts education, cultural tourism, regeneration through arts, arts diversity and social inclusion, copyright and the role of the arts in relations and diplomacy as well as national and cultural identity.
  • Practitioners from many companies, venues and national organisations teach on the programme, providing a direct link with the profession. See our partners in learning.
  • Through individual research and placement with an arts company or management organisation, you will develop essential practical skills to enhance your potential and your employability as an arts administrator.
  • Please note that a placement with any specific arts organisation is not guaranteed, however, we take you through a supportive process to gain a placement with an appropriate arts organisation.

Music Pathway

It's also possible to follow a Music Pathway in this programme, which allows you to broaden your musical knowledge and skills through largely theory and/or history-based modules. You will be able to study a module in Music Management which is open to all, however, at the start of the year you will be able to discuss other MMus modules appropriate to your background.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact the ICCE Administrator.

What you'll study

Compulsory modules

You'll complete the following compulsory modules, including a 60-credit dissertation:

Module title Credits
Cultural Policy and Practice 30 credits
Management and Professional Practice 2: Business Planning for Arts Organisations 30 credits
MA Arts Administration & Cultural Policy: Dissertation 60 credits

You will also take one of the following modules.

Module title Credits
Management and Professional Practice 1: Work Placement 30 credits
or
Management and Professional Practice 1A: Culture of Management Report 30 credits

Option modules

In addition to the compulsory modules above, you'll also choose one 30-credit optional interdisciplinary module. Optional modules change each year, and may be taken from subjects including Music, Theatre and Performance, Visual Arts, Entrepreneurship, or Cultural Diplomacy. Examples of modules previously taken on the programme have included:

Theatre and Performance

Module title Credits
Contemporary African Theatre and Drama 30 credits
Cultural Theory 30 credits
Cultural Theory, Performance, Interdisciplinary Perspectives 30 credits
Performance and Medicine 30 credits
Radical Performance 30 credits
London Theatre 15 credits
Disability Theatre 30 credits
Eastern European Theatre 30 credits
Asian Theatre 30 credits
Corporeality, Embodiment, Alternative Spaces 30 credits
World Shakespeares 30 credits

Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship

Module title Credits
Entrepreneurial Modelling 30 credits
Interpretation, Education and Communication in the Art Museum 30 credits
Cultural Relations and Diplomacy II: Explorations 30 credits
Culture, Tourism and Regeneration 30 credits
Tourism in Asia 30 credits
Creative Social Media 30 credits
Contemporary Issues in Cultural Policy 30 credits
Museums and Galleries as Creative Entrepreneurs 30 credits
Museums and Galleries as Cultural Entrepreneurs 30 credits

Music

Please view the full list of modules from MMus Programmes.

Design

Module title Credits
Enterprising Leadership: An Introduction to Leadership, Enterprise, and Innovation Theory 30 credits

Please note: some modules may require you to have a background in the area you wish to study as they are primarily concerned with the discipline rather than its administration/management – for example in music.

Clarification on Full-time/Part-time

There are many ways of doing this degree part-time. We recommend having a conversation with the programme convenor about how to proceed, and to determine time commitments.

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

What our students say

Angela Billings

The MA gave me the courage and skills to change career path and follow my passion.

A life-changing placement

Studying at Goldsmiths during a global pandemic was a unique and initially unwelcome experience but the very nature of lockdown life meant that it became a hugely positive focus at a time when so much was uncertain.

Crucially I was able to undertake a life-changing placement at the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford. It was through this placement that I began to grapple with the complexities of decolonial praxis. Subsequently, the challenges of living with the legacies of colonialism have become the focus of my working and academic life. The MA gave me the courage and skills to change career path and follow my passion.

A fulfilling career

I am currently the Development Director at Culture&, a charity that works to "open up who gets to make and enjoy arts and heritage". The role involves strategic planning, fundraising, business development and developing strategic partnerships. It also intersects with other organisational roles such as marketing, PR and admin.

One of my very first jobs at Culture& involved reviewing the three-year business plan in preparation for applying for NPO (National Portfolio Organisation) status. I did not expect to use the MA module on business planning on day one of my new job! Similarly, I have referred to modules on copyright, organisational culture and wider theoretical concepts on cultural identity and the role of the arts in relation to social change. The combination of analysing global approaches to cultural policy with lectures from leading practitioners provided me with a solid foundation; in this sector you need to be prepared to turn your hand to anything!

A passion for research

In addition to changing the focus of my career, I discovered a passion for research. I am delighted to have been awarded an AHRC-funded doctoral studentship at the world-renowned School of Museum Studies in Leicester. By undertaking a PhD I hope I will be able to develop the thinking I began during my MA at Goldsmiths in new and challenging directions.

Advice for prospective students

My advice for anyone thinking of studying at Goldsmiths would be come with an open mind. Be prepared to be flexible in your thinking, alive to unexpected opportunities, and apply a forensic critical lens to everything you read, hear or see.

Eva Tranova

Studying at Goldsmiths was a great experience! Participating in classes and work placement opened many doors for me.

I love to be challenged, which is why I adopted an international journey to explore all the complexities of the Arts & Culture sector. Having previously studied in France and the Netherlands, I was in search of a university where I could fully express my creative and critical thinking. Choosing Goldsmiths was a great choice, and I particularly appreciated the open-mindedness and expertise of each tutor. 

The workshops at the UK's leading museums during the course Education, Interpretation, and Communication in the Art Museum led by Dr. Sylvia Lahav provided me with invaluable insights into exhibitions. Studying at Goldsmiths was a great experience! Participating in classes and work placement opened many doors for me. Shortly after graduation, I worked for a blue-chip gallery and I am now pursuing a career in an art start-up based in London.

Hsin-Wei Tang

The arts organisation visits and talks offered me practical experiences, and shaped my goals regarding working in the cultural industries

After finishing my BA in Taiwan, I decided to pursue my advanced studies in London, which is the best city to gain knowledge and experience in the arts and the cultural and creative industries.

I chose Goldsmiths due to its reputation for fostering a diverse and creative environment which provides both academic and practical training for students.

During the academic year 2019/20, I learnt a lot at Goldsmiths. The courses provided me with the theories and knowledge necessary to gain a deeper understanding as well as a broader overview of the value of the arts and culture in our society. The visits and talks from arts organisations offered me practical experience that shaped my own goals regarding working in the cultural industries.

On top of that, I met amazing friends from different countries from all over the world. We shared our ideas and developed strong connections that I hope will keep on flushing.

Now, I will start a new phase in my life as an arts administrator in the National Theatre and Concert Hall in Taiwan. I am grateful for having been able to stay in London for my postgraduate studies and appreciate those experience offered by Goldsmiths.

Occupation: Arts Administrator, National Theatre and Concert Hall, Taiwan

See more profiles for this programme

Entry requirements

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject. 

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

  • Home - full-time: £12520
  • Home - part-time: £6260
  • International - full-time: £22640

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

Applicants from India may also be eligible for the India Creative Economy Scholarship.

How to apply

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

  • Details of your academic qualifications
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
  • Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
  • personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

When to apply

We accept applications from 1 October until 1 April for students wanting to start the following September. 

We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification. 

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.

If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an earlier application deadline.

Selection process

Admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally, we'll make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.

Find out more about applying.

Careers

Skills

The programme enables you to develop the following skills:

  • Critical awareness of cultural policy issues
  • Preparation of specific audience development (marketing) and fundraising strategies for arts organisations, and more generic organisation strategic plans
  • Leadership and teamwork skills
  • A range of knowledge and skills required for operating in the cultural sector
  • An understanding of how new technologies impact on culture at all levels

Careers

Graduates typically go on to careers in the following areas:

  • Cultural policy: researching, developing, writing, analysing and evaluating policy
  • Management in building-based and touring theatre, dance, music and visual arts organisations
  • Arts education, arts regeneration and arts for social and community purposes
  • Audience development, programming and planning
  • Organisational development and fundraising

You will also be given individual career advice in personal tutorials, helping you identify potential areas of interest for future employment.

For more information on the range of careers available to MA Arts Administration & Cultural Policy alumni, please see the What our students Say section.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths

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