Course information

Length

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Course overview

The MA Luxury Brand Management equips you with the management, entrepreneurial, marketing and professional skills to work in the luxury goods and experiential luxury industry.

  • The luxury brands sector encompasses the fashion and retail industry, as well as sectors such as tourism, hospitality, food and beverage, film, digital media, dance, music and theatre. This MA debates the concept of luxury in a historical and cross-cultural context, and offers a strong academic underpinning on theories of luxury and consumption.
  • You will explore the role of luxury in conserving traditional arts, especially with regard to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
  • The programme combines formal teaching with dissertation research, underpinned with visits to key luxury brand enterprises in London and elsewhere, and draws on Goldsmiths’ alumni for inspirational talks. This programme offers practice-based assignments and voluntary intern opportunities in various cultural organisations and luxury corporations that have established links with Goldsmiths.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact the Programme Convenor, Dr Kelly Meng Parnwell.

What you'll study

Compulsory modules

You'll take the following compulsory modules:

Module title Credits
Luxury Brands: Retail, Digital and Marketing 30 Credits
Luxury Brand Management 15 Credits
Intellectual Property, Trademarks and Brands 15 credits
Dissertation 60 Credits

Optional modules

You'll also take 60 credits of optional modules from across the Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship and the Institute of Management Studies. Modules will be subject to change on an annual basis. Recent modules have included:

Module title Credits
Consumer Behaviour 15 credits
Psychology of Marketing and Advertising 15 credits
Marketing Strategy 15 credits
Project Management 30 credits
Tourism in Asia 30 credits
Cultural and Creative Tourism 30 credits
Culture, Tourism and Regeneration 30 credits
Cultural Relations and Diplomacy II: Explorations 30 credits
Museums and Galleries as Creative Entrepreneurs 30 credits
Museums and Galleries as Creative Entrepreneurs – Communicating Culture 30 credits
Interpretation, Education and Communication in the Art Museum 30 credits
Enterprising Leadership: An Introduction to Leadership, Enterprise, and Innovation Theory 30 credits
Entrepreneurial Modelling 30 credits
Retail Data and Technology 15 credits

Download the programme specification.

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

What our students say

Alexandra Klegg

MA in Luxury Brand Management has contributed not only to the comprehensive acquisition of new knowledge but also became a breakthrough in my career

MA in Luxury Brand Management has contributed not only to the comprehensive acquisition of new knowledge but also became a breakthrough in my career. It is worth to note that the structure of the programme is very well organised, therefore the concept of luxury is viewed from different perspectives. In addition to the required modules, there was an impressive selection of optional modules where students can choose the most suitable for them. Moreover, the guest lectures, which were on an ongoing basis throughout the course, made it possible to meet interesting and influential representatives from the luxury industries of various sectors (fashion, events, jewellery, wine, tourism, etc.).

Although the master’s degree is viewed more as an independent study, I entirely received support from the teaching staff to proceed and maintain a high level of performance. Overall, there was a sense of community, where everyone knows each other’s personal qualities and encourages an individual approach. It is especially delighted that the Programme Director & Lecturer, Dr Kelly Meng Parnwell always responded to any emerging issues and successfully solved them while being enthusiastic and professional. I am very grateful that I made this decision and applied for the Luxury Brand Management course which has become a valuable asset into my life.

Tatjana Greciuk

After discovering MA in Luxury Brand Management at Goldsmiths, I knew it was the right choice for me because it is different and revolutionary

After discovering MA in Luxury Brand Management at Goldsmiths, I knew it was the right choice for me because it is different and revolutionary. The university gives a unique possibility to explore luxury segment from a variety of angles, providing a wide range of modules led by dedicated teachers.

The course is profound and useful for everyone, whether students are passionate about luxury fashion, jewellery, art, tourism and other sectors. I would highly recommend this programme as a fundamental base for those who want to pursue a career in any field of the luxury industry.

I met extraordinary people throughout the course, both course-mates and professors. Each of them taught me a lesson which I will never forget. On the first day, I met experienced professionals aiming to grow academically as well as recent graduates looking for their way in life. We were one family - all different but close-knit by similar goals. I witnessed the achievements of many individuals, and everyone found themselves in the right place in the end, including me, I am now developing a career in the jewellery sector.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who made the MA in Luxury Brand Management happen, course leaders and teachers who helped throughout this exceptional year. 

Occupation: Jeweller

Entry requirements

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least Upper Second Class standard or equivalent. Industry experience would be an advantage.

Entrepreneurs or industry professionals may gain entry by prior accredited learning, subject to stringent evaluation criteria.

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 2024/2025 academic year.

  • Home - full-time: £12520
  • Home - part-time: £6260
  • International - full-time: £22640

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.

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 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
  • 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 and make sure your statement addresses the following questions:
    • What is your educational/professional background and how does this relate to your decision to choose this particular MA?
    • What are your expectations of this MA/what do you want to achieve through this programme?
    • Why and how do you think this MA at Goldsmiths particularly aligns with your future goals and aspirations?

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.

Selection and interview process

There are no places offered on this programme by application alone. Selected applicants must attend an interview that will be arranged to suit your requirements, in person or virtually (e.g. Skype).

The interview will typically take about 20 minutes, and you will be asked a few questions from the programme convenor regarding your application. The interview also provides an opportunity to have a conversation about the programme, and for the two parties to get to know each other.

Find out more about applying.

Careers

Skills
This programme has a strong critical and theoretical underpinning, enabling you to write a dissertation that could serve as a stepping stone to a higher level academic study and/or careers within research or academia.


Careers
This MA will provide you with the management, entrepreneurial marketing and professional skills required to pursue a career in the luxury brand field.
This sector covers a wide range of creative industries and the combination of compulsory and optional modules will allow you to develop specific knowledge and skills, to enhance your career prospects and succeed in relevant career/professional paths.

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