Arts Management and Heritage Studies

Entry requirements

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

We expect students to have some experience of volunteering or working in a relevant field. We are not looking for extensive periods working in the sector but we do want students to be able to critically reflect on the experience they do have in their personal statement and at interview.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies admissions team.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Arts Management and Heritage Studies MA aims to develop your understanding of the changing political, policy and practice contexts within which the arts and heritage sectors operate today.

Compulsory modules explore the nature of heritage and how meanings of objects, artworks and buildings change in different contexts. You will examine the challenges faced by arts managers and cultural leaders, and the changes that have led some museums to move towards the role of the ‘manager’ rather than the ‘curator’.

You will choose from optional modules to tailor your Masters degree to your interests or career plans – including the opportunity to undertake a work placement or consultancy project role in either arts management or heritage. Previous students have undertaken placements focused on collections, digitisation work, digital interpretation and community engagement.

Supported by our Centre for Critical Studies in Museums, Galleries and Heritage, you will benefit from our partnerships with major arts and cultural organisations to find out what it means to work in this challenging sector.

You will study in the heart of a cultural hub for this diverse and vibrant region. Leeds is home to a wide variety of world-leading and innovative arts and heritage organisations, from the Royal Armouries, Opera North, Leeds Playhouse and Northern Ballet through to museums, galleries and heritage sites and many contemporary art spaces.

We are close to everything the rest of Yorkshire has to offer, from The Hepworth Wakefield to the National Science and Media Museum, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Brontë Parsonage Museum. We have close links with many of these cultural institutions to support your practical learning.

This course is developed in close collaboration with the School of Performance and Cultural Industries and allows you to undertake compulsory and optional modules in both Schools. You will become a member of the Centre for Critical Studies in Museums, Galleries and Heritage and enjoy opportunities from networking events and links to alumni, to conferences, seminars and reading groups.

Course tutors include researchers with a background in arts management, theatre, arts galleries, museums and heritage, including collections, curatorial, education and engagement work:

• Dr Gill Park (Programme Director)
• Dr Rob Knifton
• Dr Liz Stainforth
• Dr Ben Walmsley
• Professor Abigail Harrison Moore
• Dr Kerry Bristol
• Dr Claudia Sternberg
• Dr Helen Graham

Information for international students

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

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).

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.