MA Cultural Policy and Management

Attendance

Full-time, Part-time

Full-time Ц one year
Part-time Ц typically three years
Starts September and January

At a glance

About this course

The cultural sector is expanding rapidly and many employers now seek a professional postgraduate qualification. This course is intended for cultural managers seeking further qualification in their field and for graduates from any discipline who want to develop professional and vocational studies at postgraduate level. It is suitable for those wishing to convert their career path from another discipline to cultural management.

The course covers specialist studies in the policy, strategy and management of cultural organisations, relevant to the needs of those who work in, and run, cultural organisations.

It offers flexible study through both full-time and part-time routes, with the opportunity for students to develop and apply their skills and individual interests within taught modules, workplace projects and research.

While encompassing basic management theory where relevant, the degree offers elements specific to the cultural sector which are not included within a conventional MBA.

This is an ideal course for those who want to work in the cultural industries Х heritage Х visual arts Х multimedia Х design Х crafts Х galleries Х theatre Х broadcasting

It addresses the current shortfall in sector-focused training and professional development for managers in cultural organisations, and arts and cultural provision. Students on the course have found employment in these organisations.

Funding
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) awards bursaries to UK and EU students. These awards are based on merit so careful preparation of your application is essential.

Applications for the bursary competition must be received at the AHRC in the spring of each year but this requires a prior offer of a place on the course.

To give you sufficient time to make an appropriate application we strongly recommend applying for the course before the end of January. Up-to-date details of the AHRC Professional and Vocational Awards scheme can be found at www.ahrc.ac.uk

Associated careers

The degree is designed to enhance the careers of those already working in arts and cultural management. It also aims to develop specialist skills for graduates in varying disciplines intending to enter this expanding field.

There may be opportunities for research registration at MPhil/PhD level within the Cultural Research Institute.

Previous graduates have gone on to work in areas such as Х museum curating Х arts centre management Х Arts Council England Х gallery marketing Х museum education Х EU policy making Х community arts project management Х freelance events management Х public art Х theatre marketing and promotion Х festival organisation.

Course content

Modules

Cultural policy
A brief survey of cultural policy in Britain and Europe is followed by detailed analysis of key debates in policy and practice since 1945. Main theories are explored including definitions and functions of policy and strategy, their impact and problems of implementation. You also cover the changing environment of cultural organisations.

The issue of making judgements about culture in a climate of cultural relativism, evaluation and monitoring is also examined, as well as comparisons with cultural policy in other parts of the world.

In addition to lectures, this module makes use of discussion groups, role-play exercises, mini-research projects and informal study groups that meet to complete tasks set in the formal sessions.

Assessment is through a literature review on a theoretical topic and a 3000-4000 word essay on another subject.

Management of cultural organisations
This module develops an understanding of the parameters in which cultural organisations operate today. It addresses the Х management of commercial, non-profit and charitable bodies Х copyright and charity law Х social media marketing Х fundraising and brokerage of financial partnerships Х human resource management Х management of change Х using critical evaluation and monitoring and strategic and business planning Х board and committee preparation and management Х negotiation skills.

There is an emphasis on styles of marketing in the non-profit sector and its associated problems and inter-organisation marketing. External speakers present practical instances of the concepts discussed.

Lectures are combined with discussion groups, informal study groups and presentations by students. The assessed task comprises a case study of a cultural organisation and a presentation of a funding bid. This involves liaising with the organisation.

Policy and Identity: heritage, museums and regeneration
This new module provides you with a thorough grounding in theories and practices that have shaped the history of cultural policies in the context of national identity and globalisation.

It equips you with a critical understanding of the current debates around representation that exercise cultural managers in the contemporary developed world. It provides you with the skills and knowledge to assess and evaluate the impact of these debates on cultural practice and its management.

Among lecture topics, you consider the role of culture in political events, for example Х the relation of religion to culture Хаthe instrumental use of culture in social cohesion and diversity Хаthe significance of post-colonial theory Хаpublic art's role in identity formation Х the impact of coalition policies around the big society, rurality and digitalisation.

Your study is supported by visits to museums, heritage sites and regeneration projects, and by talks given by creative sector professionals including public art commissioners and rural festival managers.

Assessment is by an essay and a reflective learning log.

Research methods and skills for the cultural sector

This module introduces formal and informal research methods through group sessions. Topics covered include Х digital research Х research ethics Х questionnaire design and implementation Х statistics and their limitations Х interviewing techniques.

This is immediately put into practice through work on a policy topic, such as Х public arts Х cultural policy Х culturally driven regeneration Х arts in healthcare Х museum interpretation Х international cultural exchange Х uses of social media.

Critical theory is also discussed and theoretical approaches are compared.

You work with an individual supervisor to produce a research proposal and then an exploratory report which focuses and evaluates the research method and its potential. A range of specialist researchers explore their approaches and methods with the group. This enables you to approach the dissertation with knowledge and confidence.

The dissertation
The dissertation is a 15,000 word report that you complete with the support of an individual supervisor. You may be able to submit a different piece of work of equivalent intellectual value as agreed with the course leader.

Although the work is individual, group support meetings are arranged throughout the dissertation period.

Recent dissertation topics have included
Х Promotion of youth audiences for Sheffield Theatres
Х Development of the tourism industry in Laos
Х A history of film theory in the UK
Х Crafts as agents of rural regeneration in the Derbyshire Dales
Х Museum policies affecting disabled visitors
Х Museum representations of the Cold War in Germany and the UK
Х Bottom-up regeneration in Berlin
Х The impact of biennialisation

Assessment

By assignment, oral presentation and professional report plus dissertation for MA

Entry requirements

Normally a degree (2.1 or above) or equivalent in any discipline. Professional qualifications and relevant experience will also be taken into account. All suitable candidates will be considered and offered an interview.

Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum ofа5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

Typically г4,590 for the course
Part-time study should be calculated pro rata.

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically г10,980 for the course

2014/15 academic year

Typically г11,250 for the course

How to apply

Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form

Contact details

For further information please contact the Faculty of Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Sheffield S1 1WB. Phone +44 (0)114 225 6777 or email aces-helpdesk@shu.ac.uk