Cultural Events Management MSc

Overview

This course will equip you with the vibrant learning environment, practical experience, and supported self-directed study needed to understand the synergies, theory and practice of developing and managing cultural and arts-based events.

The curriculum covers the expansive variety of cultural events. During the course you will learn what it takes to organise community-based celebrations, local events, established festival networks, high art festivals, live music events, and large-scale international events. You could work with organisations such as the British Arts Festivals Association, Festival Republic (the company behind Latitude and Reading festivals), U-Live or The Spark Festival, a children’s art festival. Through guest lectures and workshops, you will also have opportunities to meet and network with professionals from the cultural events industry.

The events landscape is ever-changing and professionals in the sector must be adept problem-solvers, with the ability to embrace new challenges and offer dynamic solutions. This course will help equip you with the skills to adapt to the diversification of the sector, with practical projects enabling you to experience online event delivery and digital arts and cultural content, as well as giving you the opportunity to tackle the real-life challenges of engaging audiences in increasingly innovative ways.

Throughout the course you will combine the academic study of case studies and primary research with the real-world practical experience of organising events. This hands-on approach will grow your key skills in leadership, marketing, business planning and website design – all essential tools to succeed and forge your path as a leader in this dynamic and vibrant industry.

Graduate careers

There may be as many as 25,000 festivals and events with a strong cultural dimension in the UK alone, so the opportunities for employment in this industry are substantial. Many go on to work on a varied range of festivals, such as the Taiwan Lantern Festival, Festival Republic and Athens Fringe Festival. Graduates are also adapting to the current realities of delivering virtual online events including Simon Brown who, in his role as Director, led the team who delivered ArtReach's online Journeys Festival International in autumn 2020.

You should have the equivalent or above of a 2:2 UK bachelor’s honours degree. We encourage and welcome applications from applicants with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.