Main menu
Staff & students
In this section

Course information

Department

Educational Studies

Length

1 year (full-time) or 2-5 years (part-time)

Course overview

This programme gives artists, practitioners, and teachers the opportunity to enrich and consolidate theories of contemporary art and learning. Engage with practice and theory, develop innovative research approaches, and critically debate the changing nature of contemporary art.

Why study MA Arts and Learning (MAAL) at Goldsmiths

  • You’ll be taught by staff who are nationally and internationally renowned and published artist researcher teachers.

  • You’ll draw on the international scope of contemporary art practices in London. This degree has partnerships with international galleries including Tate Modern, the Whitechapel Gallery and the Showroom Gallery.

  • The programme places a strong emphasis on student-centred and directed learning. Teaching sessions and personal tutorials will draw on the critical reflection and development of your artist teacher practices, including artistic, theoretical, political, and learning and teaching concerns.

  • You’ll be part of a diverse student community, and will have the opportunity to develop and maintain collaborative peer networks and support.

  • You’ll have access to an extensive programme of guest lectures, presentations and projects. In the past, this has included talks from: Grayson Perry, Yinka Shonibare, Sonia Boyce, Susan Pui San Lok, Danny Devenny, Mark Ervine, Marty Lyons and John Matthews, hosted through our Centre for Arts and Learning (CAL).
  • The MAAL can be a pathway before or after the completion of a UK QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) programme, such as the PGCE (Secondary): Art & Design.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dr Esther Sayers.

What you'll study

Overview

The programme places a strong emphasis on student-centred and directed learning, where teaching sessions and personal tutorials draw on the critical reflection and development of your artist-teacher practices: including artistic, theoretical, political and learning and teaching concerns.

The modules of the programme are all underpinned with theories of contemporary art, learning and critical and dialectical pedagogical theories and philosophies.

You'll attend lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials where you'll question the politics, ideas, practices, theory, and philosophy related to the specific topics of contemporary art practice, teaching and learning, identity and place/space construction, dialectical pedagogical theories and practice, social engagement, and research-led practices where you'll be encouraged and expected to critically discuss and debate the issues raised.

But this is just a small proportion of what we expect you to do on the degree. Independent learning/research (practice with theory) is expected throughout the programme, this typically involves critical reflection and development of your practices as artist-teacher including additional readings, preparing topics for discussion/presentations, working with fellow students, producing essays, artist-teacher statements, research, planning, organising and producing practice-based work and/or projects, curating exhibitions and presentations, both individually and collaboratively.

This emphasis on independent learning is very important at Goldsmiths. We don't just want you to accept what we tell you without question. We want you to be deeply engaged with theory and practice to develop and sustain your ideas and practices as artist-teachers. 

Structure

To enable greater flexibility for you and more equitable experience for full-time and part-time students, the MA Arts and Learning programme has a modular structure, with the majority of teaching sessions usually conducted in the evenings.

This also enables part-time and full-time students to attend the same evening teaching sessions and therefore form a collaborative and supportive learning environment.

For you to obtain the postgraduate degree of MA Arts and Leaning you will need to complete 180 credits at Masters level.

This MA consists of five compulsory modules (150 credits) and one option module (30 credits).

Module title Credits
Revisiting Practice

Revisiting Practice

30 credits

 

Revisiting Practice

 

This is the first of a sequence of praxic-based modules that require the students to reassess and articulate the current state of their practices. This module builds upon the students’ prior learning from former degrees, and their professional practices. The students reinvigorate and position their overlapping practices (artistic and pedagogic) within the contexts of your professional, pedagogic practice, and through a critical engagement with contemporary art and theory 

 

Aims

 

  • To provide students with an opportunity to identify and evaluate the breadth and scope of their existing practice/skills/techniques and to enable them to articulate the current state of their practice
  • To enable the production of new work/processes
  • To enable critical reflection in relation to contemporary art and contemporary developments in education and theory, and in relation to current exhibitions/practices
  • To reflect on the engagement of current pedagogical practice with artistic practice, including an analysis of the validity of any distinction/integration between artistic and pedagogical practice
 30 credits
Spaces of Practice (in association with the Whitechapel, Showroom Galleries and the South London Gallery)

Spaces of Practice (in association with the Whitechapel, Showroom Galleries and the South London Gallery)

30 credits

This Module, in partnership with The Whitechapel Gallery, Cubitt and The South London Gallery, gives you the opportunity to engage in a study of contemporary art practices in order to develop pedagogical and artistic knowledge and understanding. It is aimed at initiating and extending practical, critical and contextual understanding of contemporary art practices and how these can be used to explore social and cultural issues. You will engage with contemporary theory in critical and cultural studies such as semiotics, hermeneutics, post-structuralism and psychoanalysis.

 30 credits
Critical Pedagogy and Contested Spaces (CP) (In association with Tate Modern)

Critical Pedagogy and Contested Spaces (CP) (In association with Tate Modern)

30 credits

This module, in partnership with Tate Modern, continues to support and develop your praxis through engaging with the theories and concepts of Critical Pedagogy. You will explore the potential of the artist teacher to operate at a level beyond orthodoxy - toward a critical pedagogy. Contemporary art practices will be placed within a socio- political framework to illustrate the position of artist educators within this current and critical pedagogical agenda. You will explore the concepts and practices of a number of key critical pedagogues including Paulo Freire, Ira Shor, Antonio Darder and Henry Giroux as well as the theories and philosophies of John Dewey, Jean Piaget and Karl Marx.

 30 credits
Independent Studies (IS)

Independent Studies (IS)

60 credits

Through this module you will continue to develop and consolidate your praxis and position as artist teacher. Individually and collaboratively you will continue to explore your interwoven practices underpinned by theoretical frameworks. This process will be enabled through planning and executing a structured programme of independent research that draws upon pedagogy and contemporary art and theory, critically applying themes and issues you have developed through the MAAT programme.

 60 credits

Option modules

You choose one of the following options:

Full-time and part-time study options

The MAAL can be completed in 1 year (full-time) or between 2-5 years (part-time). Routes below:

1 year      
Autumn RVP, IS OR RVP, Elective, IS
Spring SP, CP, IS   CP, SP, IS
Summer Elective, IS   IS
2 years      
Year 1 RVP, SP, CP OR RVP, SP, CP, Elective
Year 2 Elective, IS    
3 years      
Year 1 RVP, SP OR RVP, Elective
Year 2 Elective, CP   SP, CP
Year 3 IS   IS
 
Key  
RP Revisiting Practice
SP Spaces of Practice
CP Critical Pedagogy and Contested Spaces
IS Independent Studies

Practitioners who already have existing M-level credits may apply to have these transferred to the MAAL.

You may also take advantage of two exit points:

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Arts and Learning (60 Credits)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Arts and Learning (120 Credits)

Individual Modules

Some of these modules are also available to be taken as part of a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.

Assessment

The MA Arts and Learning utilises a number of complementary assessment strategies. These have been devised to appropriately assess the range of learning outcomes and are underpinned by the ethos of the programme these include, exhibition/presentation/performance, essay, viva voce.

Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

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

For 2021-22 and 2020–21, we have made some changes to how the teaching and assessment of certain programmes are delivered. To check what changes affect this programme, please visit the programme changes page.

What our students say

Alba Maderuelo Solera
I had the opportunity to leave my comfort zone and experiment with my praxis.

What Alba enjoyed about studying at Goldsmiths

My favourite part was finding inspiration from great artists and educators I met during my two years on the MA. Also, I had the opportunity to leave my comfort zone and experiment with my praxis.

Networking opportunities in London

Do not be afraid of getting lost in this big city; you will find the right people, and your way of making things happen, and you will find yourself. Work hard and get to know the wonderful people you can find at this uni.

Advice for future students

The area is packed with libraries, galleries, and quirky places to eat, have a drink and meet people. The east gathers the best essence of London, take advantage of that!

Sarah Cloonan
I discovered how to support my beliefs and ideas with academic references. This would not have been possible without the support of my cohort and tutors.

Learning how to make ideas a reality

I enjoyed unlocking my thoughts about each module while researching them academically. At first, it seemed a stressful and inefficient process, but once I discovered I could make visual maps from my research, I found a path. By using connectivity and synchronicity with a touch of serendipity, while critically analysing my findings, I allowed ideas proposed by others to but up and be juxtaposed against my own ideas and experiences. I found a synergistic ecology, one I could see and interrogate when I “made” about it.

By making my way through my thoughts and enquiries, I found a way to create thought scapes that made my data visible. I could then talk and write about what I have only had feelings about previously. Furthermore, I discovered how to support my beliefs and ideas with academic references. This would not have been possible without the support of my cohort and tutors. This was most satisfying.

Life after Goldsmiths

I have had two group shows and have returned to my kitchen studio where I make. I have had a tutoring project with a BA student stuck on her final module and helped my own children make choices about university. I have begun to unwrap what I have experienced and learnt. I have been applying to residencies and open calls. What I may offer is much broader now and I feel, it improves my chances of being chosen. I am about to start following up on the offers I have received from my previous employers to rejoin them in a teaching capacity. Although I only want to return part-time to allow me to further develop my own praxis.

Advice for future students

Be prepared to push for what you want, and enjoy the critical and wonderful tutors. Don't be afraid to approach other departments, I always found them very helpful. Experiment and try something new. You may find what you love.

Sarah's favourite thing about the Goldsmiths campus

The view over to the city. magical.

Entry requirements

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second-class standard in an appropriate arts-based area. You should also have experience of working in an educational context, this could be in a formal or informal educational setting ie. a school, college, gallery or community context. This should be included in the personal statement.

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 2022/2023 academic year.

  • Home - full-time: £9260
  • Home - part-time: £TBC
  • International - full-time: £22600

Please note, the part-time fee listed above is per 30 credit module.

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.

Funding may be available from schools’ CPD budgets.

How to apply

Apply now

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

  • Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
  • A 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

  • If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)
  • A portfolio as a URL or uploaded as a PDF

You'll be asked to upload/include up to 10 images of your practice/art work as part of your application. The images can be of present and/or past personal art work/performance/installation etc.

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 October 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.

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.

If you're invited to interview, you may be asked to bring a small portfolio of work (electronic or hard copy) as a starting point for discussion, comprising of either current or past practice.

Find out more about applying.

Research

The Department is committed to research that is conceptually and intellectually rigorous, and which has the capacity to inform professional practice. Research is conducted in three main areas:

  • Bilingualism and biculturalism in education
  • Equity and social justice in education
  • The arts and education

We have the following research centres in the department: 

Find out more about research in the Department of Educational Studies.

Staff

Staff who teach on the programme include:

Find out more about staff in the Department of Educational Studies.

Careers

Skills

Through the programme, you’ll develop independent thinking, understand theoretical underpinning, and the ability to question and have confidence in your ideas and practice - skills that will benefit you throughout your chosen career. You'll also develop:

  • critical and analytical skills
  • creative and practical skills
  • ability to express complex and sophisticated ideas with clarity and confidence
  • the ability to work independently and collaboratively
  • IT skills

As a MAAL alumna, you’ll continue to research and engage in the presentation of your practices through practice, exhibitions, socially-engaged projects, international conferences and international journals.

Careers

Our graduates have an outstanding employment record in the fields of education, galleries/museums, social work/charity, health, public administration and welfare with the majority of graduates gaining full-time employment in a variety of careers including:

  • Teacher, lecturer, tutor
  • Heads of Faculties/Departments
  • Community artists
  • Gallery educators/curators
  • Practicing artists/photographers

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.

Facilities

The Educational Studies Building offers a wide range of seminar and larger teaching rooms designed for flexibility and practical work, and two IT/ICT suites with state-of-the-art computer equipment. 

288 New Cross Road houses the Centre for Arts and Learning and is where most of MAAL teaching sessions and presentations are conducted. There are staff offices, three teaching/workshop spaces, and a suite of Mac computers.

All full-time MAAL students will be allocated an individual studio space at 288 NX Road for the duration of their study. 

Similar programmes

MA Creative Writing & Education

You might be a teacher who writes; a writer interested in education; a poet, a novelist or a short story writer. Whatever your background, this course will help you develop your creative writing skills and learn how to teach them.

MA Education: Culture, Language & Identity

This programme will enhance your understanding of educational theory and practice by focusing on issues of culture, language and identity, and is taught by internationally-renowned experts.

MA Applied Anthropology & Community Arts

Taught jointly by the Departments of Anthropology and Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies, this MA offers a stimulating synthesis of theory and practice. In short, it is at the heart of what Goldsmiths is all about.

View more programmes

Related content links