Program Overview

Socially Engaged Arts Practice

Overview

This MA in Socially Engaged Arts Practice is designed for students who want to develop their personal practice in a community setting. The course focuses on the understanding of and the application of a range of practice-based research methods, and supports students in developing new ideas through research and practice.

Course Details

• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Duration: One year (full-time), Two years (part-time)
• Next Enrolment: September 2025

Introduction

This course seeks to empower communities through the power of art, through collaboration and participation with people, and co-authored and co-produced activities. Students will be supported to consider pressing social issues such as inclusion, mental health, homelessness, regeneration, and sustainability.

What You Will Learn

• Learn the skills needed to forge a professional career in the world of social and community art through engagement within dedicated communities
• Develop co-authorship and co-curation skills in managing and producing community-inspired and facilitated projects
• Collaborate with other art and design students from different courses, strengthening your ability to work across multiple disciplines
• Develop essential transferable skills such as research, presenting, and self-reflection, as well as refine your artistic and creative abilities
• Graduate with a strong portfolio of work

Placement Options

• Placement options are available
• International students are accepted

Modules

• Creative Research Methods: This module focuses on the understanding of and the application of a range of practice-based research methods.
• Exploring Theory and Practice: This module deals with the theoretical and practical issues faced by practitioners in the context of art and the creative and cultural industries.
• Real World Context: Through this module, you will undertake a placement in a relevant workplace to gain new experiences and test out developing ideas and activities.
• Applied Practice: Within this module, you will examine how your design work can be applied to external contexts such as live projects, commissions, and external sites.
• Definitive Practice: The aims of the major project are to offer you the opportunity to critically engage in a major project in which the emphasis will be on defining and analyzing through action research.

Teaching and Learning

• Teaching: Your timetable will include a breakdown of your scheduled lessons with timeslots for you to explore your independent research interests.
• Learning Activities: Exercises such as team and peer-based learning, studio practice, and critical seminar-events, site visits, visiting professionals, work placements, online activities, and critical debates.

Assessment

• Assessment: You will be assessed throughout the course on a combination of your coursework, as well as the contextual research that has influenced it.
• Submissions: All submissions are comprised of a body of practice plus a contextual and critical research portfolio, and reflective logs/journals and case studies.

Employment and Stats

• Employment: Upon graduating from this socially engaged art master's programme, you may choose to pursue a variety of career paths, such as freelance artist, teacher, or researcher.
• Further Study: Graduates showing strong academic and research skills can pursue a further academic research path through our doctoral (PhD) programmes.

Requirements

• Applicant Profile: To gain a place on this MA Socially Engaged Arts Practice course, you will have to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements when you apply.
• Standard Entry Requirements: To join this MA, you should have a second-class honours degree, 2:2 or above.
• International Students: If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5.

Fees

• Type of Study: Full-time home, Full-time international
• Year: 2025/26
• Fees: £9,100 per year (full-time home), £17,000 per year (full-time international)

Additional Costs

• Additional Costs: You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding, and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Scholarships for International Students

• Scholarships: If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.