MA Cultural Industries

Institution De Montfort University
Method At the institution
Location Leicester
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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MA Cultural Industries

Objectives The MA in Cultural Industries offers students the opportunity to develop understanding, context and specialism in cultural industry practices and debates. It allows students to develop key skills, to support and develop a career in the cultural sector.

The programme combines professional and vocational learning through professional practice placement opportunities, research, practical application, formal study and critical discourse.

The MA is supported by a think tank of industry leaders and offer advice and support in a pro-active partnership. Run through Arts Management, the teaching staff provide considerable industry experience with current research in the cultural sector. Teaching is further supported by visiting lecturers and workshops.

Offered as both full and part-time, the programme is designed for those wishing to study professional and academic elements of the cultural industries.

As a graduate, from the cultural, creative and practitioner arenas of art and culture sector the MA will offer a range of key transferable skills, including opportunities to develop skills, specialist proficiency and the opportunity to work within the sector through the professional practice placement.

As a professional within the sector, the MA offers considerable scope for professional development within an academic framework. The professional practice will give you the opportunity to use your working environment as the base of your learning. In addition each module can be studies independently as a short course or as part of the MA programme.
Entry requirements Applicants should have knowledge and experience of the cultural or creative sectors in the UK and will be invited for an interview.
Academic title MA Cultural Industries
Course description Programme

You will study a total of four Modules and a dissertation. Two core modules, and two option modules allow you to create a course in line with your interests and professional development.

Core modules:
-Innovation and contemporary practice
-Cultural industries professional practice

Option modules – normally available:
-Visual culture, heritage and contexts
-Events and festivals practice
-Local and community media practice
-Inter-cultural practice and diversity
-Context for community arts practice

The course aims to enable students to adapt, apply, develop and supplement their specialist knowledge for work in formal and informal cultural, educational and community settings. It provides a programme of advanced, academic study supported by practice based learning and provides opportunities for cross-discipline, shared learning. The course aims to develop cultural industry leaders and reflective practitioners with the potential to engage in continuing professional development and research.

Teaching/assessment

Teaching, assessment and learning strategies seek to promote active, participatory, reflective and independent learning. They are designed to enable students to identify, share and then build on existing knowledge and experience. They aim to support efficient transition to postgraduate study, to challenge students to critically examine their own values and practices in a constructive, creative environment and to inform and prepare students for engagement with professional practice.

Teaching and learning methods used include: guided reflective dialogue and writing, independent reading, viewing, observation and research, on-line learning, supported and individual tutorials, practical, workshop and project work, professional practice placement, lectures and presentations by academic staff and visiting practitioners, seminars and tutorials, group work and peer-led learning.

All assessment is via coursework. Modules employ a variety of assessment methods and assignments commensurate with advanced level, academic and applied study.

Teaching will normally be delivered through formal lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and discussions. Modules are studied as blocks of five day study usually held at the university in November, February and May.

Some modules will be available through Distance Learning in 2009.

The course commences with a one week induction in late September, introducing you to the course team and other students, filling out essential paperwork, showing you around the campus and introducing key study facilities such as the library. It is strongly recommended that all students attend this induction week.

The professional practice module is a core element to the course and aims to provide vocational opportunities within the cultural sector. In addition to the working placement each student will develop a portfolio research project based upon the professional organisation and / or an aspect of the professional practice work. All professional practice placements are arranged by students in discussion with your supervisor. The organisation may be the student’s place of work or it may be an alternative organisation.