Arts and Cultural Leadership (MA)

You'll need a relevant degree at 2:1 or equivalent international qualification in one of the following subject areas:

• advertising
• architecture
• arts
• broadcasting
• business
• communication
• design
• education
• exhibitions
• film
• human geography
• humanities
• human resources (HR)
• journalism
• languages and linguistics
• law
• management
• marketing
• media
• music
• performing arts
• politics
• psychology
• public relations (PR)
• sociology
• theatre

You should include a 500-word statement or a recording on the topic of arts and cultural leadership's role in advancing social and/or climate justice. Your recording should be a maximum of 5 minutes long and compressed as mp4 or mp3, or on a platform with a password.

We do not accept qualifications the following subjects:

• computing and technology
• economics
• engineering and science
• finance and trade
• hospitality
• maths
• tourism

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

You can also apply if you have professional experience. You’ll need to demonstrate significant relevant work experience within the relevant subject field.

We may ask you to an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

You'll study this full-time master's course over 12 months.

In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2), you'll study the taught part of your course.

For the last 3 months, you'll take your final project module, developing your expertise in project management in order to undertake original research.

Semester 1 overview

You'll examine current ideas and debates in arts and cultural leadership and management through international perspectives on current academic and industry research.

In dialogue with arts and cultural sector organisations and practitioners from the programme partnership network and a wider range of industry resources, you will identify and reflect on contemporary contexts and cultures of the cultural and creative industries.

Through practice-based workshops, you will develop and reflect on a range of academic and industry-specific skills and practices.

Semester 2 overview

You’ll engage with external partners to co-design a live project to understand and address current and future priorities for arts and cultural leadership and management.

In connection with the live project module and building on your semester 1 modules, you will explore how to advance research in arts and cultural leadership management through a range of techniques and methods. You will also undertake critical reflection and planning relating to professional development opportunities.

Through the option module, you will make interdisciplinary connections and extend your specialism.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

On this course, you'll develop your team working skills, strengthen your planning and project skills, and learn to think critically and analytically.

You'll learn through a combination of:

• lectures
• seminars
• workshops
• guest speaker sessions
• study visits

Assessment

Assessment methods will vary according to your choice of modules, but could include:

• report
• case study
• portfolio
• final project report

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal supervisor for support and guidance throughout your final project.

The experiences and skills you develop on this master's directly align to a range of career roles in the arts and cultural sector, as well as the cultural and creative industries and civic society more widely.

We will support you in your professional development, helping you pursue various pathways, as as emerging practitioners and researchers of arts and cultural leadership, including:

• strategic roles in arts and cultural organisations as practitioner, producer, consultant and so on, such as development managers, specialists on audience development, community engagement, cultural policy, 
• innovation/change-advisor in third sector and think tanks around equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), social and environmental justice, and Higher Education   
• entrepreneurship and business start-up
• PhD research

The programme is also a way to connect and position your existing education, work background and experiences in relation to the arts and cultural sectors.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,800.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Extra costs you might have to pay

Stationery

We expect you to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, such as pens, pencils and notebooks. If you need specialist stationery items for a specific module, we will tell you this in the module description.

Textbooks

Where a module specifies essential texts, the Library will identify the optimal options to support the module in the course Reading List. This may include e-books or a digitised chapter extract, supported by a limited number of print books where available.

You can also:

• request that the Library purchases additional print copies via 'suggest a book'
• borrow an additional copy via our inter-library-loans service
• buy your own copies for high-demand titles

Study visits

Some modules include optional visits to museums, galleries, or industry.

We will normally expect you to cover the cost of travel, admission and food, unless the module description specifies otherwise.

Field equipment and materials

The live project module may involve additional costs, such as for travel to project partners or the purchase of materials.

These are covered by a mixture of:

• budget discussion and requests - maximum of £100 per student 
• your own funds - maximum of £100 per student

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

Ten scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000