Program Overview

Cultural Policy and Management MPhil/PhD

The MPhil/PhD programme in Cultural Policy and Management invites students to submit a proposal for research on curatorial and archival practice, socially engaged art practice, cultural labour, public and community art, culture and urban regeneration, museum studies, arts education, craft cultures, and related topics.

Course Overview

An MPhil/PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires original research and the submission of a substantial dissertation. The MPhil thesis is not more than 60,000 words; the PhD thesis is not more than 100,000 words. This programme also welcomes practice-based PhD theses, the requirements for which vary according to the nature of the research.

Key Information

• Duration: 7 years part-time or 4 years full-time
• Style of study: On campus
• Status: Fully Approved
• Awarding body: University of London
• Attendance: Regular meetings with supervisor(s)

Entry Requirements

• A good degree in cultural policy, cultural studies, art history, education, or other related areas in the social sciences, humanities, or fine art.
• A specific indication of research interests with the application, and a 2000-word proposal.
• English language requirements: IELTS Academic Test score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

Fees

• Academic year 2025-26:
  • Part-time home students: £2,656 per year
  • Full-time home students: £5,006 per year
  • Part-time international students: £7,870 per year
  • Full-time international students: £15,570 per year
• Academic year 2026-27: To be confirmed

Research Culture

Our research encompasses journalism, film and television, artistic practice and arts management, and digital media, culture and design. We place particular emphasis on practice-based research and work with a wide range of partners.

How to Apply

1. Check that you meet the entry requirements.
2. Find a potential supervisor for your MPhil/PhD research.
3. Contact the academic member of staff for an informal discussion about your research interests.
4. Draft a research proposal of up to 2000 words.
5. Apply directly to Birkbeck using the online application link.

Finding a Supervisor

A critical factor when applying for postgraduate study in cultural policy and management is the correlation between the applicant's intellectual and research interests and those of one or more potential supervisors. Find out more about the research interests of our academic staff and their areas of research.

Related Courses

• Journalism and Communication (MPhil/PhD)
• Digital Culture and Communication (MPhil/PhD)
• Film and Screen Media (MPhil/PhD)