Culture, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons).

Applications from a wide range of subject areas are considered, including:

• Business
• Fine art
• Theatre
• Politics
• Sociology
• Heritage studies
• Media
• Journalism

Any social sciences or humanities degree subject is suitable for entry providing there is evidence of a passion for, and commitment to the course.

Relevant work experience might include: advertising, marketing, architecture, crafts, design (product, graphic, fashion), film, TV, radio, photography, IT - software, computer services, publishing, museums, galleries, libraries, music, performing and visual arts.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Culture and creativity play a fundamental role in the development of individuals, societies, and economies worldwide. On this course you'll examine the contested concepts of culture and creativity, and how policy makers, cultural organisations, and creative entrepreneurs are operating in contemporary cultures and economies on a global scale.

You'll explore how organisations across the arts, cultural and creative sectors work in theory and practice, as well as the impact they can have on individuals and communities. You'll have the opportunity to examine the relationship between the cultural and creative industries and the arts, and explore how the cultural sector is managed by policy makers, cultural organisations, and creative entrepreneurs.

Working collaboratively on an entrepreneurial project, you'll have the opportunity to gain insight into the business models of local creative and cultural organisations.

You'll also devise and carry out an independent research project into an aspect of culture, creativity and/or entrepreneurship, investigating a topic of interest to you.

Throughout, you will learn from researchers with extensive industry experience and have the freedom to investigate areas of personal and professional interest.

Rooted in cultural theory and analysis of the contemporary cultural and creative industries, the course is designed for those who have previously studied courses related to cultural studies, social sciences, arts management or creative industries.

Additional highlights

Leeds has a thriving cultural scene and is home to large-scale events like Leeds International Film Festival, Light Night, and Transform Festival. Alongside this is a range of arts and cultural activity to explore. From museums and galleries, music venues, theatres and cinemas, fashion, food, crafts, heritage and festivals the city and surrounding West Yorkshire province is rich with institutions and activities. Leeds is an exciting environment in which to think about and engage with culture and creativity, providing opportunities for you to put your ideas into practice.

You'll be taught by staff who are at the forefront of the study of the cultural and creative industries and have extensive experience working in the creative, cultural and policy making sector in the UK.

The School has close links with the Centre for Cultural Value, a national research centre based in the University of Leeds that provides many opportunities for students to become involved in its activities as volunteers.

Specialist facilities

Our School is based in stage@leeds, a purpose-built landmark building that sits at the heart of campus. As our student, you’ll have access to its two professional standard, publicly licensed theatres: the main space seats 180 and is equipped with the latest technologies, and the theatre studio provides a technically advanced performance research facility.

The School’s relationship with the theatre provides many opportunities for you to become involved in its activities both through the curriculum and as volunteers, or as a member of one of the many Student Union performance societies. These opportunities offer the unique experience of working in a professional theatre environment within a university context.

stage@leeds hosts a range of work by students and visiting theatre companies all year round. You’ll also have access to a wide range of specialist facilities, including multiple black-box studio theatre spaces, costume construction and wardrobe stores, a scenic workshop, dance studio and rehearsal rooms, video-editing and sound recording suites and a range of technical resources such as; portable recorders, 360-degree cameras, VR headsets and green screen technologies. You'll be supported in using these facilities by our experienced technical team.

Explore our facilities.

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Information for international students

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

Fees and funding

We have a generous range of funding available for postgraduate study. Find out more on the University of Leeds Postgraduate Scholarships database here.