MA Arts, Festivals and Cultural Management at QMU

Are you interested in shaping the future of the arts and cultural sector? This long-established and forward-thinking MA in Arts, Festival and Cultural Management will enable you to gain a better understanding of the management of cultural organisations and the individual factors that shape the environments in which they operate. The course will appeal to a range of individuals and will qualify you for a broad range of management positions within a wide spectrum of cultural organisations and festivals.

The course is delivered both full time and part time with start dates in September and January, and offers the flexibility to develop your skills and knowledge whilst in employment.

• Flexible study options that are particularly suitable if you are already working in the sector or wish to do so when studying: Available full time, part time or by single module study, you will be able to study around your work commitments.
• A course that will assist you in your current role or create a route to a new career: You will be qualified for a broad range of management positions within a wide spectrum of cultural organisations and festivals.
• Our small class sizes are perfect for sharing experiences and fostering new ideas: Enjoy the support of staff and encouragement of fellow students.
• Unique course content designed to prepare you for this broad sector: Our focus on the relationship between theory and practice aims to ensure that you become a reflective practitioner who is not only aware of the insights of festivals and cultural management, but also aware of the contextual realities of this practice.
• Teaching team with wide-ranging expertise: Our staff have a wealth of experience in both the theory and practice of cultural management.
• Great location for studying and future employment in this area: Our location, just six minutes by train from the heart of the world’s greatest festival city, is sure to enrich your learning experience and provide many opportunities for work-based experience and future employment.
• You’ll be part of an international cohort of students: Students on this course come from across the globe, and sharing your experiences will prove to be of real benefit.
• Optimum balance of theoretical and practical learning: The course offers a variety of learning experiences, including industry-based learning, which are sure to enrich your studies.
• Industry input and our professional links ensure you are up to date with key developments: The course has been developed over time in co-operation with key national cultural agencies and other bodies with a strategic interest in the development of arts organisations and festivals.

By encouraging you to become critically reflective, the course will develop your knowledge of the contemporary issues affecting the management of arts organisations and festivals, and equip you with the practical management skills essential for developing a career in the field. Mindful of the need for students to develop vocational skills, several assignments are designed to build the knowledge and skills required to become effective practitioners in the field. In addition, you will be required to arrange and undertake practical experience within cultural organisations to complement your studies.

Structure and exit awards: You can opt to study for the full MA (180 credits), a PgDip (120 credits) or a PgCert (60 credits). Please note all students enroll onto the full MA degree initially. You can also register as an associate student to complete a single module for CPD.

Teaching comprises a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, simulation exercises, field trips and projects, as well as a period of industry-based learning. Assessment throughout the course will take a variety of forms, including essays, reports, exams, group and individual presentations, as well as a dissertation or project for the final MA component.

The course does not require a formal placement, but we do require you to take up industry-based learning opportunities to assist your learning and to put the theory into practice. These industry-based learning opportunities are offered by many of the world-famous organisations that are based in Edinburgh (e.g. the Edinburgh International Festival, Fruitmarket Gallery, Lyceum Theatre).

• Bachelor ordinary degree or equivalent plus two years relevant work experience
• HND or equivalent plus five years relevant work experience
• No undergraduate degree study could be considered with a minimum of seven years relevant work experience

If you do not meet any of the above criteria, we may still be able to consider you for the Associate route which would allow you to enroll onto one module initially. International: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.5 with no individual component score less than 6.0.

For more information on applying, or to apply for this course, please follow the links in the 'Start your application' box at the top right of this page. Home students: End of August for September 2026 start and December for January 2027 start. International students: International applications for a January 2027 start will close at the end of November.