MA Global Politics: Art & Activism
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Why study MA Global Politics: Art & Activism at Goldsmiths
This MA explores twenty-first-century global politics through the intersection of critical theory, activism and artistic practice. You’ll engage with transformative ideas and real-world challenges, developing creative and analytical approaches to understanding power, resistance and change in a rapidly shifting world.
- This programme will help you develop critical skills beyond Eurocentric views of international politics. You'll learn to engage with different perspectives, questioning the boundaries between politics, culture, ecology, religion and the economy.
- Your learning will explore three central pillars, including: the power and politics in global and local relations, social movements and activist practices as a decisive challenge to mainstream politics, and the encounter between art and politics. Read more about what you’ll study.
- Your teaching will be grounded in contemporary issues, including the worldwide rise in inequality, shifting geopolitics, democratic change and ecological crises.
- You'll learn about the impact of activism and activists on global politics. You will explore how contemporary practices are emerging in ways that interrupt or reinvent the languages of both politics and art. The programme will encourage you to think creatively about new forms of political mobilisation and organisation and transformative ideas like "decolonisation".
- You’ll gain the tools to analyse and actively contribute to new forms of political and social change, including thinking critically and creatively about new forms of political mobilisation, organisation and ideas.
- You'll be able to work in an interdisciplinary fashion, exploring cutting-edge perspectives in the social sciences while adding critical insights from art, the humanities and cultural studies to your toolbox.
- During the programme, you'll get the chance to innovate and develop your own ideas, research and professional agendas with the support of a team of expert scholars working in diverse fields and regions of study, including Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as Europe and the USA.
- Through innovative teaching and partnerships, this programme aligns academia, activism, politics, and NGOs. Your studies will enable you to actively engage in the fields of scholarship, activism and global politics.
Contact
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dr Bernadette Buckley , Francisco Carballo .
Length
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Fees
Home - full-time: £10800
Home - part-time: £5400
International - full-time: £23000
School
Subject
History, Politics and International Relations
We are an Adobe Creative Campus. During your studies, you will be able to use Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator and more for free on your own devices.
What you'll study
Your studies will explore the following central themes:
The power and politics that explain both global and local relations: You’ll look at and beyond international relations theories and giving particular attention to influences and innovations from the Global South.
Social movements and activist practices as a decisive challenge to mainstream politics, from the bottom up: You will analyse the contestations around crucial global challenges, including the climate emergency, racism, gender inequality, human rights, development, and the decolonisation of public and private institutions.
The encounter between art and politics: Contemporary arts practices increasingly claim political origins and motivations, while political actors interfere or seek active involvement with cultural agents of all kinds. An increasing desire to preserve, consolidate or memorialise identity (national or otherwise) has led to the formation of new alliances across cultural and political divides, but also to the embedding of deep and difficult rivalries.
Meanwhile, the creative industries and the heritage sector are seen as influential agents in the formation, maintenance and destruction of political alliances, or as assets in driving economic or cultural change.
Everywhere, the security or destruction of cultural property has led to heated debates around the ownership and display of ‘artefacts’ or public memorials, or to increasing calls for decolonisation, reparation, or acknowledgement of historical injustice.
Research methods and cultural production: You will be offered training and guidance in research methods and cultural production, in line with Goldsmiths' commitments to promoting interdisciplinarity, creativity and practice-based learning.
Note about optional modules (if available): The above is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
Teaching style
The programme offers a variety of teaching and learning methods. Our goal is to combine academic rigour with practical and transferable skills.
Classroom learning will be balanced with real-world application through participation in career placements, conferences, peer discussions, organisation of academic and cultural events, experimental projects, publishing work, and field trips. You will gain a well-rounded understanding of the subject by utilising multiple pedagogical approaches and ‘real life’ and professional experiences.
Assessment
Assessment consists of coursework, extended essays, reports, presentations, practice-based projects or essays/logs, group projects, reflective essays, and seen and unseen written examinations.
Careers
The MA Global Politics: Art & Activism programme is ideal for individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in areas such as diplomatic service or international organisations that require an understanding of world politics.
It also provides valuable theoretical background and analytical skills for those working in activism, politics, international development, investigative journalism, charities and NGOs, multinational corporations, and various government sectors.
This course will also provide an excellent foundation for pursuing further studies at PhD level.
Skills
Some of the skills you'll develop during the Masters include:
- A critical engagement with the broad field of international studies
- Communication skills
- Research skills
- Presentation skills
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard.
Individuals from any academic background are welcome to apply, though those with degrees in social sciences or humanities (e.g., politics, economics, sociology, anthropology, social work, history, cultural studies, visual cultures, or journalism) may have an advantage.
We may also consider applicants without a relevant academic background if you have professional experience in the field or can demonstrate your ability to succeed at this level of study.
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 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 study.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2026/2027 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £10800
- Home - part-time: £5400
- International - full-time: £23000
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.
Funding opportunities
Explore the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.
If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan.
Meanwhile our Careers Service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies.
Paying your fees
Find out about paying your tuition 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.
How to apply
You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
To complete your application, you will 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
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 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.
Further guidance
Read our guide to applying for a postgraduate degree at Goldsmiths.
