Global Performance and Cultural Industries MA

Course overview

Explore how performance and the cultural and creative industries intersect to unlock careers reaching international audiences.

Develop a critical understanding of performance across a variety of social, political, and economic settings and how it’s produced and consumed locally and globally.

Apply your learning through lectures, seminars and an independent research project, and graduate equipped to build your global career networks. You’ll have the opportunity to work with a variety of cultural organisations and gain valuable insights into the cultural and creative industries from guest lecturers and industry experts.

Whatever area of performance or culture you want to pursue a career in, tailor your learning through optional modules ranging from digital storytelling to activism, collaborative enterprise and arts for health and wellbeing. Then graduate ready to enter roles in international cultural organisations or pursue further study.

Why study at Leeds

• Transformative global collaboration: Our international partnerships include Shanghai Theatre Academy, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, Shanghai Yue Opera House in China, South Africa-based Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education and Chad-based Association Ndam Se Na.
• Guaranteed industry experience: While studying, you’ll have the chance to work with clients and gain consultancy experience as part of a 2-week online Global Industry Programme. 
• Specialist facilities: Our School is based in stage@leeds, a purpose-built landmark at the heart of campus. Stage@leeds hosts a year-round programme of work by students and visiting theatre companies.
• A hub for creative innovation: Learn and live in a city home to the likes of Leeds Digital Festival, Light Night, Leeds International Festival of Ideas, the Channel 4 headquarters, and a thriving cultural scene packed with award-winning venues and organisations.
• Local partners in performance: Our school collaborates with cultural organisations across the city, including schools, hospitals, Leeds City Council, Leeds Museums and Art Galleries, Leeds Playhouse, Opera North, Invisible Flock, Human VR, Slung Low, Red Ladder Theatre Company and Transform.
• Dedicated employability support: Benefit from personalised career support to give you the best start once you graduate, including talks, practical workshops, volunteering opportunities, and comprehensive research training if you want to go on to study a PhD. 
• Excellent prospects: Graduate from one of the universities most targeted by the UK’s top employers (High Fliers, The Graduate Market Report 2026). 

Take a tour of our school

Course details and modules

Compulsory modules introduce you to perspectives on performance and the creative economy in a global context. You’ll develop specialist knowledge about how aspects of global performing arts are influenced by historical, political and socio-economic evolution. Global performance in this context refers to both live and digital forms that are produced for educational and/or commercial purposes with international audiences in mind and is informed by international policies and regulations, such as the UNESCO 2003 Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention.

You can focus your studies in the areas that suit your interests and career plans by choosing optional modules which allow you to specialise in areas that include cultural policy, audience engagement, and individual and collaborative projects.

By the end of the course, you will demonstrate your skills and knowledge by completing an independent research project on a topic of your choice.

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 Global Performance and Cultural Industries MA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

The course draws on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary theories and research methodologies, such as theatre and performance studies, sociology and media studies. Selected case studies, such as Sleep No More in Shanghai, Korean palace ritual performance and mobile performance linking global audiences/players, are applied to assist learners to contextualise how the symbolic, aesthetic aspects of global performance products are influenced by respective historical, socio-economic conditions and how the process in turn contributes to the development of cultural and creative industries, in a digitalised and globalised world.

The course will equip you with the knowledge to either progress onto a research degree and/or pursue a career globally.

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 using a range of methods, including small group presentations, reports, academic essays and extended individual research projects, or negotiated creative projects.

Applying

Entry requirements

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

We will also consider applicants with relevant experience, an interest in theatre and performance or coming from an area of expertise to which theatre and performance 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.

Theatre and Performance related subjects

• Theatre Studies
• Performance Studies
• Dance
• Music

Other areas

• New Media
• Film
• Photography
• Heritage
• Cultural and Creative Industries

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. 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.

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.

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'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 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 industries, performing arts, film, TV, museums, galleries.

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 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 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: £12,000 (Total)

International: £29,000 (Total)

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

Read more about paying fees and charges.

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.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below: 

• Scholarships for International students 
• Scholarships and funding for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

Career opportunities

This degree opens a broad range of career opportunities within and around the cultural and creative industries. You’ll also gain in-depth knowledge of theatre and performance in a global context, allowing you to pursue an international career.

Hear more about the School and Faculty support you can access from our employability lead, Professor Karen Burland.

Where this degree could take you

This course is well-suited to career paths across the arts, including:

• Artistic Practitioner
• Producer
• Administrator
• Theatre Manager
• Policymaker
• Educator

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

Learn more about the careers our students have pursued – read alumni profiles from the School of Performance and Cultural Industries.

Careers support

As an MA student at the University of Leeds, you’ll benefit from a comprehensive careers support network through the School of Performance and Cultural Industries and the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures.

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one – just one of the reasons our graduates are so sought after by employers.

The school established an Industry Advisory Board in 2022 featuring 12 members from a range of cultural organisations. This contributes to the ongoing development of our employability activities.

In addition to dedicated employability and career support, the school also organises several career development workshops, guest speaker events, and careers fairs throughout the year. These opportunities will allow you to develop new skills, enhance your career prospects and network with prospective employers.

In addition to the school-specific careers support, you’ll also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Service. It offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.

• Dedicated Employability Team – meet with our qualified careers consultants and specialist employability and placements officers, on hand to help you choose the right path and develop the skills to get there. They can support with CV and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile building, mock interviews and navigating AI: get confident with tailored advice and techniques.  
• Employability and networking events – we run a full range of events, including careers fairs and industry talks in specialist areas and across broader industries, with employers who are actively recruiting for roles, giving you the opportunity to network and engage with industry sponsors. Upon graduation, you’ll become a part of the University’s alumni network, further extending your professional reach. 
• Employability skills training – to support your success in the workplace, we embed training in a range of key transferable skills valued by employers in all our programmes. 
• MyCareer system – on your course and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events. 
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in. 

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.

Work placements and industry experience

The Global Industry Programme gives Masters students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience through live industry projects. 

You’ll connect with leading companies worldwide to work on impactful, hands-on consultancy projects, enhancing your employability skills and enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to real business challenges. 

Join the programme and experience the benefits:

• Fully online teaching designed to fit around your studies.
• Opportunities to make professional networks in areas such as digital marketing, business growth, sustainability and funding strategy.
• Gain valuable insight and build consultancy experience with a UK or international organisation, working on a time-limited brief.
• Work as part of a team across disciplines to tackle real business needs.
• Advance your experience and hands-on skills by putting the course teachings into practice.
• Improve your employability prospects.
• Make new friends, build confidence and consider your future.