MA Cultural Studies

Course information

Media, Communications and Cultural Studies

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Course overview

The MA Cultural Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of contemporary culture.

Students are introduced to a variety of perspectives and traditions as well as to the creative interface between such disciplines.

The programme addresses art and the city, the culture industries, politics and globalisation, and media in the information age, as central themes.

It incorporates the basic themes and leading figures of classical Cultural Studies as well as the latest developments in Cultural Studies and Cultural Theory.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Professor Julian Henriques

What you'll study

Overview

You will take two core modules together with a selection of individual modules, and complete a Masters dissertation.

Core modules

	Module title	Credits
	Cultural Studies and Capitalism Cultural Studies and Capitalism 30 credits The critique of capitalism has been an important horizon for research and theory in cultural studies since its inception. Beginning with an introduction to this (anti-)disciplinary history, this module introduces and engages with past and contemporary critical approaches to the imbrication of capitalism and culture in cultural studies, cultural theory and philosophy. We will consider the evolution of cultural studies from its early focus on the role of capitalism in shaping class relations and class culture, through its integration of such critiques into a still-expanding range of areas of concern, including issues around gender, race, sexuality, (post)colonialism, posthumanism and ecology. We will engage with key theoretical concepts and paradigms that have been developed in order to better understand the cultural dimension and functioning of capital, such as commodity fetishism, ‘capitalism-as-religion’, gift-exchange, theories of debt, parasitism, neoliberalism, information capitalism, and post-natural ecology. We will ask how contemporary global phenomena such as the rise of digital networking, climate change and financial crisis may be transforming the relationship between capitalism and culture, and critically examine currently circulating claims that capitalism is giving way to ‘postcapitalism’.	30 credits
	MA Cultural Studies Dissertation (Methodology and Research) MA Cultural Studies Dissertation (Methodology and Research) 60 credits The dissertation provides you with an opportunity to undertake a research project on a topic of significance to Cultural Studies, drawing on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed through the taught modules studied during the rest of the programme. General preparation in addressing methodological questions relating to the dissertation, and training on specific research methods, are provided in a 5-week research methods module during the Spring term. This aspect of the module culminates in a 5,000 word essay/report comprised of a critical analysis of research methods. Students then go on to conduct the research and complete the 10,000-12,000 word dissertation under the guidance of a dedicated supervisor.	60 credits
	Doing Cultural Studies Doing Cultural Studies 30 credits This module concentrates on Cultural Studies as a research methodology, a method of engagement and intervention with current debates and practices, and in addition a method of collective working. The module takes examples from a diverse range of topics in the field of media and cultural studies, such as policing and the military-industrial prison complex; racialised, gender and identity politics and intersectionality; media platforms and technologies; the production and consumption of popular culture; feminist and post-feminism; elites, political power and hegemony; visual and sound arts et al. Particular interventions in these areas are taken as examples of a range of methodological approaches such as textual and visual analysis, conjunctual analysis, ethnographies and case studies.	30 credits

Recommended option modules

You take option modules to the value of 60 credits. Modules can be chosen from across Goldsmiths departments and centres. There are a number of Media modules available, which are recommended for your programme.

Other option modules, by department

‌You may prefer to look through the full range of optional modules available across Goldsmiths departments:

Please note that the modules can change from year to year, and not all the modules listed may be open to you – your final selection will depend upon spaces available and timetable compatibility.

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 upper 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: £6990
Home/EU - part-time: £3495
International - full-time: £15040

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 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.

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 two academic referees 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 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.

Find out more about applying.

Careers

Around half of students completing this programme progress to PhD level, and others go into practical work – in the creative industries and in NGOs in a great number of countries.

Skills

High-level knowledge of cultural research; transferable skills within social and critical theory, aesthetics and performance, communication and multimedia; ethnography skills; critical appreciation of current debates in the media, the culture industries and the wider contemporary cultural environment.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.

What our students say

Talitha Isabel, MA Cultural Studies

It doesn’t matter what you're interested in, there will be a society, a group or event that you will want to take part in – there are often more things to do than your schedule will allow.

"Even though I had applied for other universities, Goldsmiths was always my number one option. I had the opportunity to visit the campus on the open day earlier this year, and after talking to the students and a few of the professors, I was sure that Goldsmiths was the right choice for me.

The ‘Welcome Week’ was a great preparation for what was coming. There is always something interesting going on. It doesn’t matter what you're interested in, there will be a society, a group or event that you will want to take part in – there are often more things to do than your schedule will allow. And what I found brilliant is that even when you feel that there is a topic not covered in the events offered, you can always approach one of the Student Union officers and make a suggestion to bring the theme to a future event. The Student Union does not only encourage it, but it also gives us the support and advice to make things happen.

Being back in academic life has been awesome. The MA Cultural Studies has an interdisciplinary structure and a variety of optional modules. Every lecture is a new challenge and I have learned so much. I feel that I am surrounded by great minds, and the university offers an international environment with a strong student community."

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MA Cultural Studies

Course information

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