Culture, Creativity and Entrepreneurship MA

Rooted in cultural theory and analysis of the contemporary cultural industries, this Masters course is designed for those who have previously studied courses in cultural studies, social sciences or arts management and creative industries. You'll examine the contested concepts of culture and creativity, and examine how policy makers, cultural organisations, and creative entrepreneurs are operating in contemporary cultures and economies on a global scale.

Due to the emphasis on academic discussion and policy analysis, this course is not primarily designed for those who wish to pursue a career in media, communications or related subjects, or those who wish to further their own artistic or creative practice. Such applicants are encouraged to check the University of Leeds Coursefinder for courses suited to their particular skills, experience, interests and career goals.

Culture and creativity play a fundamental role in the development of individuals, societies, and economies worldwide. This course allows you to explore how arts and creative enterprises work in theory and practice, as well as the impact they can have on individuals and communities.

You’ll examine the relationship between the cultural industries and the arts, and explore how the cultural sector is managed by policy makers, cultural organisations, and creative entrepreneurs. Throughout, you’ll learn from researchers with extensive industry experience and have the freedom to investigate areas of personal interest.

Leeds has a thriving cultural scene, and is home to large-scale events like Leeds International Film Festival, Light Night, and Transform Festival. Our industry connections allow you to engage with local cultural organisations such as Leeds Playhouse, Opera North, Phoenix Dance Theatre, the BBC, the National Science and Media Museum, and East Street Arts.

Specialist facilities

Our School is based in stage@leeds, a purpose-built landmark building that sits at the heart of campus. As our student, you’ll experience the output and workings of our professional standard, publicly licensed theatres: the main space seats 180 and is equipped with the latest technologies, and the theatre studio provides a technically advanced performance research facility.

stage@leeds hosts a range of work by students and visiting theatre companies all year round. Within the building you’ll also find rehearsal rooms, two black-box studios, costume construction and wardrobe stores, a design studio, a scenic workshop, computer aided design facilities and video-editing and sound recording.

Explore our facilities

Extensive resources

Leeds University Library is one of the UK’s major academic research libraries, and has extensive holdings to support your studies including Special Collections offering a huge range of rare books, manuscripts and art.

Highlights include materials relating to Leeds Playhouse, the English Stage Company, Phoenix Dance Theatre, as well as the archives of dramatists, directors and choreographers like Wole Soyinka, Rudolph Laban, John Moody, and William Gaskill.

Many of the Library’s materials are available online, allowing you to access them from a distance. You’ll also have access to study services like one-to-one support and skills development workshops, which will help you to get the most out of your time with us.

Are you watching in China? Watch our video on Youku.

Compulsary modules in semester one will lay the foundations of the programme. You’ll explore different theoretical approaches to understand the relationships between culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship, learning about cultural industries and how public policy impacts on cultural development.

To help you focus your studies in the areas that suit your interests and career plans, you’ll also choose optional modules which allow you to specialise in areas such as cultural policy, the relationship between culture and place, management and entrepreneurship in the arts and cultural industries

Another compulsary module that runs throughout the year will develop your understanding of research methods in the arts and cultural industries. By the end of the course you’ll demonstrate your skills and knowledge by completing an independent research project on a topic of your choice.

If you choose to study part-time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Culture, Creativity and Entrepreneurship MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Culture, Creativity and Entrepreneurship MA Part Time in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you benefit from the expertise of our tutors. These include seminars, tutorials, group learning, fieldwork, lectures and practicals, depending on the modules you choose. Independent study is also vital as a chance for you to develop a range of skills.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Depending on the modules you choose, you may be assessed by methods such as essays, presentations, reports and project work.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons).

Applications from a wide range of subject areas are considered, including:

• Business

• Fine art

• Theatre

• Politics

• Sociology

• Heritage studies

• Media

• Journalism

Any social sciences or humanities degree subject is suitable for entry providing there is evidence of a passion for, and commitment to the course.

Relevant work experience might include: advertising, marketing, architecture, crafts, design (product, graphic, fashion), film, TV, radio, photography, IT - software, computer services, publishing, museums, galleries, libraries, music, performing and visual arts.

International

Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.

You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Apply (Full time)

Apply (Part time)

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you’ll need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or partial transcripts if you're still studying (please submit an official English translation if necessary)

• Evidence of your English language qualifications, if English is not your first language

• A personal statement in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form. Please respond to the questions in the application form.

• A full up-to-date CV.

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures receives very large numbers of high-quality applications and regrets that it cannot make offers to all of its applicants. Some particularly popular schools may have to reject many that hold the necessary academic qualifications.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

• UK: £10,750 (total)
• International: £24,250 (total)

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

You may also be eligible to apply for a scholarship to help support your studies.

You’ll gain a variety of in-depth subject knowledge from this course, as well as valuable transferable skills such as cultural and social awareness, research, analysis and communication.

Our graduates have pursued a range of careers that reflect this diversity. They’ve joined international consultancy firms and social enterprises as research associates, become project managers in arts and cultural organisations or worked as policy managers and advisers within cultural policy bodies.

Others have gone on to work in public policy, urban regeneration, community development, teaching and more – and some have also set up their own businesses, either during or soon after the course.

Many other graduates have continued with their research and progressed to PhD study. There is a wide variety of careers and employability support available across the University to help you with your career.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.