Audiences, Engagement, Participation PGCert

Course overview

This course explores notions of participation and engagement in culture that aim to respect the cultural rights of all citizens as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. You will examine how policy makers, cultural organisations, and artists conceive the role of audiences and the wider public in contemporary cultures and economies on both a local and global scale. You will investigate practical approaches to participation and engagement in the arts and cultural sectors, as well as reflecting on the nature of our personal engagement in the digital sphere. You'll then critically examine the extent to which such approaches are effective at creating a more people centred culture and consider alternative approaches to achieve this aim.

As well as developing your research skills this will help you develop your professional practice whether you wish to work in the management, marketing or education departments within existing arts organisations, develop cultural policy at a local, national or international level or develop your own skills as a participatory facilitator.

The cultural sector has enormous potential to effect positive change in society. However, participation data has uncovered a lack of diversity in the age, ethnicity, education level and socioeconomic background of audiences in the arts alongside a decline in overall levels of arts engagement. This sits alongside efforts to address accessibility and structural inequality for both audiences and the creative workforce. You’ll explore theoretical concepts such as co-creation and participatory governance, alongside investigation into community and participatory arts practice, the implications of digital engagement, and conceptual design of audience experiences.

You'll be able to tailor your learning on the course to pursue your own interests and develop broader skills through your choice from a range of optional modules. 

Additional highlights

You'll also be able to engage with leading centres for research, policy, practice and debate based at the University of Leeds that are at the forefront of audience research and engagement, such as the Centre for Cultural Value and the Cultural Institute.

Leeds has a thriving cultural scene and is home to large-scale events like Leeds International Film Festival, Light Night, and Transform Festival. Our local connections allow you to interact with a range of partners, including Leeds Museums & Galleries, Opera North, Hyde Park Picture House, and many other local arts and community organisations. The wider Yorkshire region is home to a rich and diverse culture with other major cultural institutions such as the Yorkshire Sculpture Park who have a renowned learning programme.

Flexible study options

We offer part-time, PGDip and MA options for this course, allowing you to study in the way that best suits you.

Specialist facilities

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. You’ll have access to materials relating to Red Ladder, Leeds Playhouse, Phoenix Dance Theatre, and more.

Course details and modules

You’ll study compulsory modules in participation and audience engagement, which are designed to give you a solid base of theoretical knowledge.

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 Audiences, Engagement, Participation PGCert Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Audiences, Engagement, Participation PGCert Part Time in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

This course comprises a balanced mix of teaching and learning methods, including interactive lectures, small group seminars, tutorials and practical workshops.

By the end of the course, you should be able to demonstrate in-depth, specialist knowledge and understanding of techniques relevant to audience engagement and cultural participation. You will gain valuable transferable skills such as project management, audience research, programme design and evaluation, relevant to cultural sector work in arts and cultural organisations or working freelance as a creative worker.

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

You’ll be assessed throughout the course through with a balanced mix of assessment modes, which are likely to include the following: individual or small group presentations, written reports, academic essays and an extended individual research projects/theses.

Applying

Entry requirements

You’ll need a bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification, preferably in an Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences related degree specialising in one of the following subjects indicated under 'Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences related subjects'.

We will also consider applicants with relevant experience, an interest in arts, humanities or social sciences or coming from an area of expertise to which arts, humanities or social sciences are complementary, such as the ones listed under ‘Other areas’.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines, so please do not hesitate to apply if your subject is not listed.

All applicants will be required to respond to the questions in the supporting statement section of the online application form to explain why you wish to study this particular course and your career plans. Relevant professional experience may also be considered. We may request additional documentation to inform our decision.

Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences related subjects

• Creative Industries Management
• Marketing
• Performance
• Theatre
• Music
• Fine Art
• New Media
• Sociology
• Cultural Studies

Other areas

• Heritage Studies
• Politics
• Development Studies
• Policy Studies

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. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

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

How to apply

Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you intend to apply for funding, we advise you to submit an application for your chosen course as early as possible and at least one month before any scholarship deadline.

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 a partial transcript if you’re still studying (please submit an official English translation where the original is not in English)
• Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• A personal statement in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form
• A full up-to-date CV
• Any previous UK CAS, visa and BRP documents if you’re an international applicant who has previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4/ Student Visa.

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Personal Statement Requirements

Please summarise your reasons for applying to this particular programme of study. Your response can include details of your previous study/work experience relevant to the programme and career ambitions. Your response can provide us with important information on your suitability for the course, so please complete it carefully.

Please explain why you have chosen to apply for this Masters course at the University of Leeds by answering the following questions in separate numbered paragraphs:

1. What areas of this course particularly interest you and why? Have you studied these before? Please explain your reasons for applying to this particular Masters course
2. Why do you want to study this course at Leeds? Please comment on aspects such as available resources at the University and in the city, research specialisms within the school or academics you would like to work with.
3. What potential themes have you considered for dissertation research?
4. How will studying for this course help you to achieve your longer term goals?
5. Why do you see this course as a particularly valuable subject to study?
6. What skills and experience do you have that have prepared you for this course? You may like to give details of any final year work/projects you have previously undertaken, relevant work experience etc.

Relevant work experience might include: cultural policy, arts management, arts marketing, audience development, arts education.

Next Steps

Where further information to support the assessment of your application is needed, we may ask for a recent sample of written work.

We do not generally request references unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application.

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

Support for part-time and mature learners

The Lifelong Learning Centre provides support for mature and part-time learners across the University, including advice on how to apply to university and support throughout your studies.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

School of Performance and Cultural Industries

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions

Email: pcipg@leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £4,000 (Total)

International: £8,833 (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 on our living costs and budgeting page.

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.

Career opportunities

This course will prepare you for employment in areas such as cultural policy, arts management, arts marketing, audience development, and arts education.

You’ll gain a variety of in-depth subject knowledge from this course, as well as valuable transferable skills such as project management, audience research, programme design and evaluation, as well as freelance consultancy. You’ll develop skills that support work in public policy, community development and visitor experience.

There is a wide variety of careers and employability support available across the University to help you with your career.

Graduates from similar courses have continued with their research and progressed to PhD study.

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 about Careers support.