Arts and Cultural Management

The MSc in Arts and Cultural Management at King's College London offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to understanding and managing the complex world of arts and cultural organizations. This programme is designed for students who are passionate about the arts sector and seek to develop the skills necessary to lead and innovate within museums, galleries, theatres, heritage sites, and other cultural institutions. Throughout the course, students will explore key topics such as cultural policy, strategic management, audience development, fundraising, marketing, and the digital transformation of cultural industries. The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical experiences, preparing graduates to navigate the challenges of the rapidly evolving cultural landscape. Students benefit from the expertise of faculty who are active researchers and practitioners in arts and cultural management, as well as from networking opportunities with industry professionals through guest lectures, workshops, and internships. The programme also emphasizes critical thinking and analytical skills, enabling students to assess cultural developments critically and contribute to innovative management practices. With a strong focus on sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, the MSc aims to equip students with the competencies required to promote cultural access and engagement on both local and global scales. The course is suitable for recent graduates, arts practitioners, or professionals seeking to enhance their managerial capabilities and understanding of cultural sector dynamics. Graduates of this programme will be well-positioned to pursue careers in arts administration, cultural policy, project management, consultancy, and leadership roles across various cultural organizations worldwide. Ultimately, the MSc in Arts and Cultural Management at King's College London prepares students to become effective leaders who can make a meaningful impact in the cultural sector and contribute to the vibrancy of cultural life globally.

Required Modules

You are required to take:

• Arts & Management (20 credits)
• Cultural Management: The Experience (20 credits)
• Research Approaches (20 credits)

You are also required to take one of the following:

• Dissertation (60 credits)

or

• Arts-based Research Project (60 credits)

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take 60 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

• Marketing the Arts: Theory & Practice in the Real World (20 credits)
• Inside Today’s Museum (collaboration with Tate) (20 credits)
• Cultural Policy (20 credits)
• Visual Culture (20 credits)
• Cultural Management in Small Arts & Cultural Organisations (20 credits)
• Culture & the City (20 credits)
• Music & American Culture (20 credits)
• Cultural Markets (20 credits)
• Gender, Media & Culture (20 credits)
• Fashion, Culture & Society (20 credits)
• Aesthetic Economy & Aesthetic Markets (20 credits)
• Transnational Screen Production (20 credits)
• Art & Globalisation (20 credits)
• Entertainment Industries (20 credits)
• Contextualising Creativity (20 credits)
• Towards Tomorrow’s Museum (collaboration with Tate) (20 credits)
• Readings in the Music Business (20 credits) 
• Cultural Memory (20 credits)
• Conflict, Diplomacy & International Relations (20 credits)
• Cultural & Creative Industries in China (20 credits)
• Children, Media Industries & Culture (20 credits)
• Media on the Move: Products & Power (20 credits)
• Future Memory: Creating Connected Worlds (20 credits)
• Festivals: Arts, Public Spaces & Communities (20 credits)
• Entrepreneurial Opportunity: Arts & Culture (20 credits)
• Museum Curating Now (collaboration with Tate) (20 credits)
• Digital Media Production Cultures (20 credits)

You may choose 20 credits of modules from within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities and the Modern Language Centre, subject to approvals.

You may also choose from a range of modules offered by the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy (notably the Department of Education and Professional Studies, and Department of Management), or the School of Law, subject to approvals.

Minimum 2:1 honours degree in any discipline or equivalent. For those returning to study, evidence of appropriate experience will be required. A written personal statement, emphasising both qualifying background and reasons for selecting this programme, will be required. A sample of academic writing should be submitted.

Please note: Meeting the minimum requirements for your application to be considered does not guarantee an offer as applications for this programme are very competitive.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.

English language requirements

• Cambridge Advanced Certificate (CAE) / Cambridge C1 Advanced. 185 overall; minimum 176 in all skills
• IELTS (Academic). 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each skill
• Pearson Test of English (Academic). 69 overall with a minimum of 62 in each communicative skill
• TOEFL iBT Institution code: 0394. 100 overall with a minimum of 25 in writing and 23  in each of the other skills

Application procedure

An application fee of £80 applies (non-refundable). To apply for a place on MA Arts & Cultural Management, please complete the online application process, myApplication, making sure to provide the required supporting documents:

• Two references from previous or current academic tutors.
• A complete or partial transcript of your first degree results. This is obtainable from your degree-awarding institution.
• Create a new piece of writing specifically for your application (see guidelines below).
• A personal statement of 500 words (following the guidelines below).

If English is not your first language, and your degree was not taught and assessed entirely in English, we require relevant English language qualifications to be provided. Please note that we will still be able to consider your application even if you do not yet have an English language certificate. In this case, any offer made will be given on more the condition that you meet King’s College London's English language requirements, which will be detailed in your offer letter.

In assessing your application we will look for the following: academic capabilities: broad understanding of arts and cultural management; and interest and ability in studying arts and cultural management. Your academic interests should match the broad themes that inform MA Arts and Cultural Management teaching, i.e. arts management, cultural theory and history, cultural production and consumption, cultural governance, and arts-based research. It is ideal that your career interests correspond to the sectors on which MA Arts and Cultural Management teaching focuses including performing arts, visual cultures, museums, galleries, arts and heritage, and digital culture.

The MSc in Arts and Cultural Management at King's College London offers a comprehensive overview of funding and financial aspects relevant to careers in the arts and culture sectors. The program emphasizes understanding diverse funding sources, including public grants, private sponsorships, donations, ticket sales, and income from cultural activities. Students learn about different financial models adopted by arts organizations and museums, enabling them to develop sustainable strategies for financial stability and growth. The curriculum includes modules on financial management, budgeting, and fundraising, equipping students with practical skills necessary for managing budgets and securing funding.

King's College London provides several financial aid options for students enrolled in this program. These include university scholarships, bursaries, and fee waivers, which are awarded based on merit, financial need, or specific criteria such as nationality or demographic background. Additionally, there are external funding opportunities, such as government grants or cultural organization sponsorships, which students can pursue to support their studies. The program also encourages internships and placements with arts institutions, which can offer stipends or financial benefits, providing students with practical experience while helping offset living costs.

Students are advised to explore various funding avenues early in their studies to maximize their financial resources. The university's career services and financial aid office provide guidance on applying for scholarships and external grants. Moreover, the program’s emphasis on practical financial management skills aims to prepare graduates for diverse roles in financial planning, fundraising, and sponsorship acquisition within cultural organizations. Overall, the MSc in Arts and Cultural Management at King's College London offers robust opportunities for financial planning and support, enabling students to focus on their academic and professional development in the arts sector while managing their financial responsibilities effectively.

We expect the graduates of this new MA to move on to arts and cultural management roles in a wide variety of contexts and international locations. Graduates from this Department currently go on to a wide range of roles in the cultural and creative industries, for example, in performing arts management, museum and gallery management, arts funding, cultural industries development, film distribution, freelance research, creative business development, arts administration, publishing, art marketing and local governance. A number of our students go on to do further academic research.