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Department

Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship

Length

15 months full-time, 27 months part-time

Course overview

The MA Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship should be attractive if you either wish to develop a business arising from an existing creative practice or to understand how to create the infrastructure and environment for new creative businesses.

This programme offers a number of pathways:

  • It's an ideal Masters if you want to develop a business in one of these fields, or in new areas of the creative industries. All students bring a business idea to the programme to use as a live case study. 
  • The Masters is taught in partnership by a number of departments within Goldsmiths and with key individuals and organisations in the creative and cultural industries sector.
  • Our collective approach is to integrate entrepreneurship within the development of creative practices and to take a ‘creative’ approach to the development of new businesses and the infrastructure that supports them.
  • This programme is designed to allow you to continue to innovate, but also to provide the requisite business/entrepreneurial skills and attributes to commercialise your creative and cultural practices and/or knowledge.
  • You’ll be able to build on a historical and theoretical understanding of cultural and creative industries and the development of a cultural economy to create your own creative initiatives, which might be research-based, policy-based, practice-based, or a combination of any or all of these. Through the programme you will develop techniques to move your creative and critical thinking to entrepreneurial thinking.
  • This programme has an exit route at Postgraduate Diploma level. 

Contact the department

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

What you'll study

The programme contains four taught modules and a further dissertation/portfolio component.

You'll have a range of choices throughout the degree enabling you to design a pathway that is most relevant to your academic, business and career ambitions.

All students take modules I and III, and you can choose between options offered for your chosen pathway for modules II and IV.

Attendance is mandatory for all taught sections of the programme. To encourage collaborative learning we try to teach all students together wherever possible, irrespective of their particular pathway.

Module title Credits
Theories of Capital

Theories of Capital

30 Credits

Theories of Capital critically examines key theories of social, economic, cultural and symbolic capital.  The module details these conceptual capital frameworks and compliments this theoretical foundation with application in the creative and cultural industries with a focus on government policy and the unique economic characteristics of the creative industries.  For example consumer consumption of status goods will be assessed using theories of symbolic and social capital. Emphasis will be given on the role of intellectual capital in policy. Students will learn the analytical rigour to critically assess creative and cultural industry policy and market structures.  Students will be able to translate theory into practice, and practice into theory.

 30 Credits
Module II: Creative Practice

Module II: Creative Practice

30 credits

Please visit the following links, depending on your course of study, to see respective options for this module. Please note all options are subject to change depending on availability and modules taught.

 30 credits
Module III: Entrepreneurial Modelling

Module III: Entrepreneurial Modelling

30 credits

This module aims to nurture your skills and attitudes to allow you to become an innovator and to provide models of entrepreneurial/business support relevant and useful for creative entrepreneurs. This module will provide a link between the theoretical aspects of the broader overview of the sector and the practice specifics, and work to focus on how creativity can be strengthened when put through creative commercialisation modelling techniques. The module has evolved from NESTA’s Creative Pioneer Programme and will use the Modelling Techniques that were designed and have evolved from `The Academy’ and `Insight Out’ which provide approaches to commercialising creativity. 

It will critically review the key characteristics of successful enterprises, entrepreneurs and leaders, within the cultural and more commercially focussed creative industries. It will look at the range of business models that exist and review how best to build a financially sustainable organisation. The key areas of modelling techniques covered are:

  • Relationship Modelling – this will assist you to understand the range of business models in the creative industries, and to create the most appropriate route to market; it will consider the relationship that the originator of the creative idea has to the production, distribution and the audience/customer/client; it uncovers your relationship to “reward”.
  • Evidence Modelling – this model uses Marshall McLuhan’s Tetrad Model to review the likely impact of the idea; it helps make the enterprise tangible and to ensure that the entrepreneur remains in control of the effects of their ideas. Using the modelling technique helps you to articulate your values and the benefits of your ideas.
  • Blueprint Modelling – an approach to creating an operating plan, which will move your idea to market, articulating all of the activities and responsibilities required.
  • Consequence Modelling – using all of the knowledge from the modelling techniques, this will uncover the financial consequences of the decisions made. It will introduce you to basic financial modelling concepts, and ensure they are comfortable with the financial language of creative entrepreneurs. 
 30 credits

Module IV: Entrepreneurial Practices and Modes of Production (30 credits)

Either: Assigned pathway module

Delivered by the partner departments – these modules deal with creative sector issues and case studies within a specific discipline. Please see the relevant MA Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship pathway page on the website for more information on options given for this module.

OR Work Placement

You will undertake a work placement within an SME, Producing or Research Organisation within the cultural and creative industries. There will be initial taught/tutorial sessions on managing an internship and experiential learning and assessment would be by an analytical report on the ‘culture of management’ of the organisation. In some pathways this will be augmented by classes in specific skill areas (such as marketing) as you are likely to be working in skill-specific departments of organisations.

Module V: Dissertation or Project/Portfolio (90 credits)

The content and research imperatives of the dissertation/portfolio can be developed in tutorials with staff to address your individual needs. It could range from an entirely written document researching a particular area of the cultural and creative industries to a fully developed proposal for a new business.

Download the programme specification.

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

Between 2020 and 2022 we needed to make some changes to how programmes were delivered due to Covid-19 restrictions. For more information about past programme changes please visit our programme changes information page.

What our students say

Phoenix Fry
Rather than squishing me into a ‘business studies’ mould, ICCE enabled me to open up & think entrepreneurially in every direction

Like many ICCE students, I joined the MA with a clear idea of what I wanted to achieve… and left it with a very different future to the one I had planned. 

Instead of being a full-time film programmer (as planned), I now work at Goldsmiths as a lecturer and project manager. I teach on the university’s Synapse programme, which embeds enterprise thinking into courses across Goldsmiths. We invite students to consider their own role in shaping their future, and making a positive impact on the world. I also look after a range of support for student entrepreneurs, including one-to-one coaching and funding opportunities. 

In the years since graduating, I’ve also set up and managed international summer schools, degree show exhibitions and event programmes, and supported ICCE as an academic tutor, lecturer and admissions tutor. 

My creative work has morphed in two directions. On one hand, I’ve converted my experience as a film programmer into a 12-week course, and am working to develop skills and networks for film programmers in South Africa. And on the other, I’ve taken my love of events and audiences into a new direction, organising a Parade of Friendly Monsters. 

Studying at Goldsmiths gave me space to experiment (and sometimes fail!), develop my ideas, encounter new possibilities for my work, and experience first-rate creative entrepreneurship training. Rather than squishing me into a ‘business studies’ mould, ICCE enabled me to open up and think entrepreneurially in every direction.

Catalina
"We were continuously encouraged to have a different viewpoint"

"Goldsmiths has been a great opportunity for me to learn from creative people and be exposed to an array of methods that have taught me to think outside the box. I've always appreciated the fact that we were continuously encouraged to have a different viewpoint and that the teaching methods were quite innovative.

The staff were always supportive and helpful, and I felt like our opinions mattered. From the interview stage to finalising the course, the dedicated lecturers made sure that we got the most out of our time at university.

For me, the most important thing I have achieved is meeting and getting inspired by some amazing people. There have been business and personal successes along the way, but the people I've met and friends I've made have been so much more valued."

Dan Goran

"The ICCE Department equipped me with the business understanding that made me stand out from other candidates throughout my early career."

Life at Goldsmiths was full of memorable experiences that helped shape me as an individual and professional. Besides the curriculum, I also learnt things about myself, especially that I want to be an entrepreneur one day and then for the rest of my life.

Currently, I work in CRM Operations at Hotels.com under Expedia Inc. - the best UK workplace two years running, according to Glassdoor. The ICCE Department equipped me with the business understanding that made me stand out from other candidates throughout my early career. My job combines tech & travel, two of the things I love most, and I’m gaining more skills and experience which will help me when I have my own business.

Goldsmiths is a great community that will help you adapt to life in the big city and make you feel like a true Londoner with time. The diversity and inclusiveness here are second to none, enabling students to see multiple perspectives and broaden their horizons. The tutors’ support and dedication are fantastic, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. It can be an invaluable resource.

To sum up, I believe that some of the most important things I left from Goldsmiths with are to be confident in my thinking and to nourish my creativity. So if you’re reading this unsure of what to do, know that I would do it again.

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. There may also be pathway-specific entry requirements. 

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.

You should have an idea for a business, or already be self-employed or have your own business.  

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

To find out more about your fees, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

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

Apply now

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. When applying, please specify your preferred pathway:

  • Computing
  • Design
  • Fashion
  • Media & Communications
  • Music 
  • Theatre & Performance

You must demonstrate in your written application and in interview that you have capacity and capability for, and an understanding of creative and cultural entrepreneurship, and that you are able to meet the intellectual demands of the programme.

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
  • 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
  • A one-paragraph elevator pitch for an entrepreneurial business idea that you plan to develop through the course. This is not a business plan, but a brief paragraph that clearly and concisely expresses your core entrepreneurial idea. You can submit your elevator pitch as a document or as audio/video. Please note that there is a file size limit of 20MB on our website but we can accept your audio/video hosted online if you provide a link to this in your application.

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 until 1 June 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

You can expect to develop an independence and integrity in developing creative ideas. You will be able to apply entrepreneurial approaches to creative projects and demonstrate an understanding of different business models to establish a creative enterprise. You will also develop team-working and leadership skills, and effective business and communication skills.

Careers

The programme will enable those who have previously studied an area of creative study/practice, such as music, media, theatre and performance, design, or computer games, to start a career developing a business arising from an existing or new creative practice.

This may relate directly to a 'product' or 'process' arising from you own practice or to a form of 'expertise', 'consultancy' or 'knowledge'. The programme will also equip those who wish to work within organisations that develop the infrastructure and environment for new creative businesses with the capacity to flourish in a variety of contexts.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.

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