Course information
Length
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Course overview
The MA Cultural Policy, Relations and Diplomacy is a trans-disciplinary programme that addresses the theory and practice of cultural policy, cultural relations, and cultural and public diplomacy.
This broad area of study and the terminology applied to it is fluid and expanding. Having culture as the underlying thread, the programme explores areas such as:
- arts policy and management
- globalisation
- cultural relations
- public diplomacy
- cultural and arts diplomacy
- external communications
- place branding
This will provide a unique perspective into this field of study, and will examine topics such as mobility of cultural practitioners, cultural identity, intercultural dialogue, mutuality, propaganda, soft power, hegemony, influence and perceptions.
Goldsmiths' location provides you with a unique experience of living in a multicultural world city, which is of great relevance to the study of cultural policy, relations and diplomacy.
You'll study in the Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship (ICCE). ICCE's individual and institutional links with an extensive network of organisations, policy advisors and cultural practitioners in those areas in London and in Europe allow you to experience exceptional research and study resources.
Industry links
ICCE’s established organisational links include, for example, the British Council, Visiting Arts, EUNIC London Hub and Demos. ICCE is also a member of ENCATC (the leading European network on Cultural Management and Cultural Policy education). The Institute is also responsible for fostering the sharing of information and discussion of issues related to international cultural relations across disciplines on the JISCMail list cultural-relations-diplomacy.
Expert staff and invited professionals
Our staff and invited academic and professional experts will enhance your learning. They'll discuss relevant literature and will present case studies and practical examples with local, national and global dimensions involving a range of individuals and organisations, including corporations, governments, international bodies and NGOs.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact ICCE
What you'll study
Overview
This MA is a 180-credit programme consisting of four 30-credit modules and a 60-credit dissertation.
The three main modules of the programme, Cultural Policy and Practice, Cultural Relations and Diplomacy I: Foundations and Cultural Relations and Diplomacy II: Explorations provide a strong basis to explore the complexity of this area of study, which is complemented by a varied module offer from across College that brings to the fore related and intersecting themes.
The fourth module of the programme is an option from a selection of modules covering arts engagement, media, business, languages and politics - this is designed to allow you to tailor the programme to your own particular skills and/or interests.
The teaching methodologies used in these modules will be conducive to creative and independent in-depth and collaborative learning. They'll culminate in the production of a final dissertation in which you will explore in detail a topic building on your interests and knowledge.
The programme allows and encourages you to engage in work placements while attending the modules. These are not a formal part of the programme, but some support will be provided building on ICCE’s extensive experience of internship management and network of contacts.
Core modules
Module title | Credits | |
---|---|---|
Cultural Policy and Practice | 30 credits | |
Cultural Relations and Diplomacy I: Foundations | 30 credits | |
Cultural Relations and Diplomacy II: Explorations | 30 credits | |
ICCE Dissertation | 60 Credits |
Option modules
Module title | Credits | |
---|---|---|
Contemporary Issues in Cultural Policy | 30 credits | |
Cultural and Creative Tourism | 30 credits | |
Culture, Tourism and Regeneration | 30 credits | |
Entrepreneurial Modelling | 30 credits | |
Enterprising Leadership: An Introduction to Leadership, Enterprise, and Innovation Theory | 30 credits | |
Interpretation, Education and Communication in the Art Museum | 30 credits | |
Museums and Galleries as Creative Entrepreneurs | 30 credits | |
Museums and Galleries as Creative Entrepreneurs – Communicating Culture | 30 credits | |
Tourism in Asia | 30 credits |
Option modules available from other departments
In addition to the option modules available within ICCE, you can also opt to take 30 credits modules from other departments within Goldsmiths.
- Anthropological Perspectives on Tourism (15 credits)
- Critical Voices in Development (30 credits)
- Anthropology and Cultural Politics (30 credits)
- Anthropology of Art (30 credits)
- Social Anthropology of the Caribbean (30 credits)
- Cultural Policy and City Branding (30 credits)
- Urban Field Encounters (30 credits)
- Race, Gender and Justice (30 credits)
- The Political of Knowledge: Debates in Human Science (15 credits)
- Urban Field Encounters (30 credits)
- Theories of International Relations (15 credits)
- Globalization: Policy,Politics, Critique (30 credits)
English and Comparative Literature
- English in a Multilingual World (30 credits)
- Language and Ideology in Written Discourse (30 credits)
- Analysing Discourse and Identity in Spoken Interaction (30 credits)
- Intercultural Discourse and Communication (30 credits)
- Textual, Linguistic, and Cultural Encounters: Literature Across Boundaries (30 credits)
- Spaces of Practice (in association with the Whitechaple, Showroom Galleries and the South London Gallery) (30 Credits)
- Culture, Language and Identity in Education (30 credits)
- Race,Culture and Education (30 credits)
- The Structure of Contemporary Political Communications (15 or 30 credits)
- The City and Consumer Culture (30 credits)
- Media Audiences & Media Geographies (30 credits)
- Promotional Culture (15 or 30 credits)
- Media & Culture in the Middle East (30 credits)
- Critical Social Media Practices (15 credits)
Confucius Institute for Dance and Performance
- Mandarin (various levels, 15 credits each level)
Institute of Management Studies
- Consumer Behaviour (15 credits)
- Innovation Case Studies (15 credits)
- Psychology of Marketing and Advertising (15 credits)
- Social Psychology of Social Problems: Intergroup Perspective (15 credits)
Download the programme specification, for the 2019-20 intake. 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.
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least 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 2019/20 academic year.
- Home/EU - full-time: £10140
- Home/EU - part-time: £5070
- International - full-time: £18340
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.
If you're an international student interested in studying part-time, please contact our Admissions Team to find out if you're eligible.
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 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.
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 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)
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.
If you're applying for funding you may be subject to an 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
Knowledge and understanding
You'll be able to:
- Describe and understand a range of practices, policies, structures and systems in the cultural policy and international cultural relations areas involving a variety of stakeholders (individuals, NGOs, foundations, corporations, governments, international and supranational organisations)
- Define and understand the use of theories and key concepts in cultural policy, cultural relations and cultural and public diplomacy, such as culture, identity, globalisation, soft power, hegemony, influence, propaganda, mutuality, trust, intercultural dialogue, nation building/branding
- Discuss the importance of cultural policy in relation to international cultural relations
- Understand the diverse and changing relationships between culture/arts, politics and international relations
- Build on your existing experience and/or interest to develop knowledge within cultural policy and international cultural relations
Cognitive and thinking skills
You'll be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate the role of the 'actors' and their practices, as well as the structures and systems framing cultural policy and international cultural relations
- Discern how to apply a range of trans-disciplinary concepts and theories to the understanding of policies, practices, structures and systems in the areas of cultural policy, cultural relations and cultural diplomacy
- Identify and critically analyse contemporary issues
- Build on your existing experience and/or interest to further develop analytical, critical and conceptual skills within cultural policy and international cultural relations
Practical skills
You'll be able to:
- Analyse public policies in the areas of culture and international cultural relations at micro and macro levels
- Devise, develop, conduct and deliver an independent piece of research relevant to cultural policy and international cultural relations, using a self-reflective approach
- Demonstrate the origins of your thinking in cultural policy and international cultural relations by adequately referencing sources that have been evaluated for credibility, objectivity, accuracy and trustworthiness
- Communicate effectively and succinctly through oral presentation and express yourself in writing for academic and other audiences, employing when necessary the appropriate ICT tools and skills
Key transferable skills
You'll be able to:
- Share and exchange expertise and skills with other students and the tutors on the course employing effective written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrate you are an independent and creative learner able to exercise initiative and personal responsibility for your own learning and planning processes
- Conduct research methodically to find an answer that is complete, accurate and authoritative
- Work effectively as part of a team
Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.