Program Overview

Arts & Cultural Management MA

Key Information

• Delivery mode: In person
• Study mode: Full time, Part time
• Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time, September to September
• Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180/ECTS 90
• Application status: Open
• Start date: September 2025

Course Description

This Arts and Cultural Management master’s is designed to meet the needs of today’s arts and cultural managers and professionals across a variety of organisations. It emphasises creativity and criticality, and includes opportunities for arts-based learning, teaching you a range of core competencies that will kick-start your career in arts and cultural management.

Key Benefits

• Kick-start your career through focused teaching that prioritises creativity and criticality and includes opportunities for arts-based learning.
• Gain insights into management, planning, programming and leadership.
• Develop knowledge of arts and culture across national and international contexts.
• Expand your network and learn from leading arts and cultural industry professionals during guest lectures and workshops.
• Enjoy strong links with London's cultural organisations.
• Join a vibrant Culture, Media & Creative Industries Department that specialises in the field.

Course Essentials

Base Campus

• Strand Campus: Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Regulating Bodies

• King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• Standard Requirements: A minimum high 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above
• Programme-Specific Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with high 2:1 honours (i.e. overall average of at least 65% across all years of study) in any discipline. For those returning to study, evidence of appropriate experience will be required.

International Applicants

• Equivalent International Qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications
• English Language Requirements: English language band B. To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment.

Selection Process

• Applications: Must be made online using King’s Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £130 applies.
• Assessment: We will look for academic capabilities, broad understanding of arts and cultural management, and interest and ability in studying arts and cultural management.

Personal Statement and Supporting Information

• Personal Statement: Please provide a personal statement of around 500 words, answering the following questions:
  • Briefly explain why you are applying for this specific programme and how it fits with your future plans? (max 250 words)
  • How does your experience and education make you a suitable candidate for this programme? (max 250 words)
• Previous Academic Study: A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained.
• References: One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
• Writing Sample: Please submit a new 1,000 words maximum essay addressing the topic: "What is the most important issue in arts management today? Why?"

Teaching Methods

• Teaching: This is a one-year full-time course (two years part-time) that comprises of modules totalling 180 credits.
• Assessment: Your performance will be assessed through coursework. Forms of assessment may typically include essays, presentations, group work, portfolio of evidence, creative projects, reports, dissertation and creative and collaborative research projects.

Structure

• Required Modules:
  • Arts and Cultural Management: Context, Theory, Debates (30 credits)
  • Arts and Cultural Management: The Experience (30 credits)
  • Research Approaches and Dissertation (60 credits) choosing from the following:
    • i) Traditional Dissertation
    • ii) Collaborative Dissertation with Cultural Partner
    • iii) Creative Research Project
• Optional Modules: In addition, you are required to take 60 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:
  • The Aesthetic Economy and Aesthetic Markets (15 credits)
  • Art and Globalisation (15 credits)
  • Children, Media Industries and Culture (15 credits)
  • Collecting Cultures: Managing collections in museums and collecting organisations (15 credits)
  • Conflict, Diplomacy & International Relations (15 credits)
  • Contextualising Creativity (15 credits)
  • Creatives: Working in the Cultural Industries (15 credits)
  • Culture and the City (15 credits)
  • Cultural Markets (15 credits)
  • Cultural Memory (15 credits)
  • Cultural Policy (15 credits)
  • Entertainment Industries (15 credits)
  • The Entrepreneurial Opportunity - Arts and Culture (selective entry) (15 credits)
  • Exhibitions, Identities and Politics: in Museums and other Exhibiting Organisation (15 credits)
  • Festivals: Arts, Public Spaces and Community (15 credits)
  • Future Memory: Creating Connected Worlds (15 credits)
  • Gaming Industries and Cultures (15 credits)
  • Gender and Sexualities in East Asian Media (15 credits)
  • Gender, Media and Culture (15 credits)
  • International Heritage and Cultural Tourism (15 credits)
  • Immersive Media and Extended Realities (15 credits)
  • Media Industries and the City (15 credits)
  • Readings of the Music Business (15 credits)
  • Transnational Screen Cultures; Fashion Culture & Society (15 credits)

Employability

• Career Opportunities: Graduates of this Arts & Cultural Management MA have gone on to a wide range of roles in the cultural and creative industries, for example, in museums and galleries, arts funding, performing arts management, freelance research, creative business development, arts administration, publishing, art marketing, and local governance.

Tuition Fees

• UK:
  • Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)
  • Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)
• International:
  • Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)
  • Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26)

Deposit

• Home Deposit: £500
• International Deposit: £2000

Additional Costs

• Books: If you choose to buy your own copies
• Clothing: For optional course related events and competitions
• Library Fees and Fines: Personal photocopies, printing course handouts, society membership fees, stationery, travel costs for travel around London and between campuses, graduation costs

Funding

• Bursaries, Scholarships, Grants: To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.