MA Arts, Festival and Cultural Management

at Queen Margaret University

For the MA, you will complete the Dissertation Project (60 credits).

Module information:
 

• Contemporary Debates in Cultural Policy (20 credits) - This module will provide students with a critical understanding of key cultural policy debates that impact the work of managers in the cultural and creative industries. They will look at policy in a critical manner and assessments include a short article as well as a longer essay examining the function of policy in regards to the cultural sector. 
• Designing Qualitative Research (20 credits) - This module will prepare students to undertake a postgraduate research project by developing their knowledge and understanding of qualitative research methodologies and methods. Students will interrogate their own assumptions of knowledge production and research, and the assessment (a Lit Review and Research Proposal) can be used as a mechanism to prepare for the dissertation project
• Leadership, Governance and Strategy (Not-for-Profit) (20 credits) - This module will provide students with a critical understanding of the principles and practices of leadership, governance and strategic management pertinent to the management of not-for-profit organisations. Students will examine different leadership strategies and critically interrogate how governance forms and guides cultural organisations. The assessments include an essay and a strategic analysis. 
• Fundraising, Finance and Development (20 credits) - This module will equip students with a critical understanding of the principles and practices of fundraising, development and financial management. The assessments invite students to examine financial support mechanisms (eg, completing a funding application or designing a sponsorship pack) as well as financial literacy exam. This module marks our course as quite unique in this regards. 
• Arts Management in Practice (20 credits) - This module will support students to become reflective practitioners, confident in their ability to employ and adapt theory in relation to the organisational contexts in which they may work. Students will attend field trips and receive experts in the field who will talk about their practical realities as cultural managers. This is the module that also houses the ‘industry based experience’ element
• Evaluating Cultural Projects (20 credits) - This module will provide students with the knowledge and understanding to effectively design and execute the evaluation of arts and cultural projects. A very student-driven module, this is an optional choice instead of Arts Management in Practice and can only be taken if a real-time Cultural Project is occurring that the student can access. 
• Planning and Marketing Cultural Projects (20 credits) - This module will provide students with a critical understanding of the principal skills, techniques and practices necessary to manage and market a cultural project. This modules looks at the practical realities of managing and marketing cultural projects and learning occurs around hypothetical projects that the students plan and market in groups. 
• Dissertation Project (60 credits) - Through undertaking a self-directed project that suits their strengths, interests and career aspirations, students will have the opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of work that will develop their academic rigour, professional skills, independence and self-direction. This can be  A 12,000 word research dissertation; or A Business-planning document (eg a Feasibility study) along with a 5000 word critical reflective essay; or a Cultural Project with associated portfolio of evidence and 5000 word reflective essay. 

• A UK honours degree or equivalent OR significant work experience in cultural organisations or festivals.
• International: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.5 with no individual component score less than 6.0.

Scotland/UK/ROI    
£6,000

International
£15,000 

You will be qualified for a broad range of management positions within a wide spectrum of cultural organisations and festivals. Previous graduates have gone on to work in theatres, performing arts organisations, galleries, local government and cultural agencies. In addition, many now work in festivals within the UK, Europe and internationally. Potential careers might include producing, fundraising, marketing, programming or audience development, as well as many other roles across the cultural industries.