PgCert Arts Management

Postgraduate Taught

Arts Management - PgCert

Do you work in arts management and want to take your career to a new level? This PgCert in Arts Management is the ideal course for anyone currently working in the arts and cultural sectors who wish to develop their skills and knowledge whilst they remain in their current role. It may also appeal to those with a relevant undergraduate degree who may wish to move into management in this sector.

Funding, recruitment, sustainability, leadership, international development – there are many burning issues affecting the management of arts organisations and festivals today. As a professional in the field, what is your best way to engage with them? How can you guide an arts organisation into a successful future in such uncertain times? This course offers a blend of practical project work and theoretical study that will deepen your understanding of modern arts management and equip you with some very useful contemporary skills.

The course is available both full time and part time with a September or January start.

Why QMU?

Flexible study options that are particularly suitable if you are already working in the sector or wish to do so when studying: Available full time, part time or by single module study, you will be able to develop your skills and knowledge whilst in employment. September and January start dates are available.
A course that will assist you in your current role or create a route to a new career: You will be qualified for a broad range of management positions within a wide spectrum of cultural organisations and festivals.
Our small class sizes are perfect for sharing experiences and fostering new ideas: Enjoy the support of staff and encouragement of fellow students. While lecturers are experts in their fields, we believe it is vitally important to have a strong community of learners as these will no doubt be more important to your learning and development, but also as future colleagues and support networks.
Unique course content designed to prepare you for this broad sector: Our focus on the relationship between theory and practice aims to ensure that you become a reflective practitioner that is not only aware of the insights of festivals and cultural management, but that you are aware of the contextual realities of this practice.
Teaching team with wide ranging expertise: Our staff have a wealth of experience in both the theory and practice of cultural management, and all come from a very different perspectives, giving out students a broad overview of the subject. The lecturers have collectively been involved in such activities as writing national policies; guiding international research; leading cultural projects and businesses; and advising government on cultural policy. Our team’s research has also been published widely - including several books on the subject - and we have written reports for national bodies on a wide variety of subjects. As such, we hold significant and broad knowledge about the sector to share with students.
Great location for studying and future employment in this area: Our location, just six minutes by train from the heart of the world’s greatest festival city, is sure to enrich your learning experience and provide many opportunities for work-based experience and future employment.
You’ll be part of an international cohort of students: Students on this course come from across the globe and sharing your experiences will prove to be of real benefit.
Optimum balance of theoretical and practical learning: The course offers a variety of learning experiences, including industry-based learning, which are sure to enrich your studies. Real-world assignments are designed to develop and consolidate your new key skills.
Industry input and our professional links ensures you are up to date with key developments: The course has been developed over time in co-operation with key national cultural agencies and other bodies with a strategic interest in the development of arts organisations and festivals. Our location in the ‘Festival City’ also allows for strong practical links between the course and the many arts, festival and cultural organisations based in and around Edinburgh, across Scotland and the UK.

Arts Management (PgCert): More information and what you will achieve

You will complete three modules on this block-taught PgCert, covering topics including fundraising, governance, leadership and finance.

As part of your course, you can opt to evaluate a live project you are already involved in. You will produce a report that may help evidence, impact and generate future support for your work. You will also consolidate your new learning with a placement in an arts organisation.

How will I be taught?

Structure and exit awards

You will complete three 20-credit modules to obtain a PgCert (60 credits).

This PgCert also counts as credit towards our MA Arts, Festival and Cultural Management. After completion of the PgCert, you’ll have the option to obtain the MA on a part-time basis the following year by completing three additional modules and a dissertation. Contact Alice McGrath for more information on single module study.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching comprises a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies and projects. Assessment will take the form of essays, reports, exams and presentations.

Placement/industry-based learning

While the course does not require a formal placement, we do require students to take up industry-based learning positions to assist their learning and to put theory into practice. These opportunities are offered by many of the world-famous organisations that are based in Edinburgh (eg the Edinburgh International Festival or the International Film Festival).

Although we support students to find opportunities, you are required to secure your own arrangements in line with your personal interests.

As we are in Edinburgh, the world’s first and best Festival City, there are no end of opportunities in this regard, and we are well regarded by our industry peers - many of our alumni work in these organisations now and advocate for us.

If you are already working in the sector, you can use your existing employment as the site for your industry-based learning.

Teaching hours and attendance

The three modules would require approximately four days of on-campus learning each semester, meaning that the PgCert could be completed within 12-14 days of intensive study that is spread over the course of a year.

Class sizes

Normally, there are around 30-35 students enrolling on the course each year.

Teaching staff

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. You can also click on the staff profiles immediately below. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

Dr Anthony Schrag (Programme Leader)

Rachel Blanche

Professor Rebecca Finkel

Alice McGrath

Modules

You will study the following modules:

Strategy and Sustainability within Cultural Organisations (20 credits): The module explores economic, social and environmental sustainability within the arts and cultural sector in the face of global environmental, economic, and social change. It aims to support students to expand their strategic knowledge, thinking, and practices about sustainability issues. In addition to the development of strategic knowledge and skills, the module will emphasise the importance of values, attitudes, and behaviours that transform ways of thinking in relation to sustainable development within the arts and cultural sector. ��
Fundraising, Finance and Development (20 credits): This module will equip students with a critical understanding of the principles and practices of fundraising, development and financial management. The assessments invite students to examine financial support mechanisms (e.g. completing a funding application or designing a sponsorship pack) as well as financial literacy exam. This module marks our course as quite unique in this regard.
Managing Relationships in the Arts and Cultural Sector (20 credits): This module will support students to become reflective practitioners, confident in their ability to employ and adapt theory in relation to the organisational contexts in which they may work. Students will attend field trips and hear from experts in the field who will talk about their practical realities as cultural managers. This is the module that also houses the ‘industry-based experience’ element

NB The modules listed are correct at time of posting (October 2024) but are subject to change. In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students. Please check back here for updates.

Career opportunities

You will be qualified for a broad range of management positions within a wide spectrum of cultural organisations and festivals. Previous graduates have gone on to work in theatres, performing arts organisations, galleries, local government and cultural agencies. In addition, many now work in festivals within the UK, Europe and internationally. Potential careers might include producing, fundraising, marketing, programming or audience development, as well as many other roles across the cultural industries.

Arts Management (PgCert): Entry requirements and how to apply

Entry requirements

A UK honours degree or equivalent OR significant work experience in cultural organisations or festivals.

International: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.5 with no individual component score less than 6.0.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Applying for this course

For more information on applying, or to apply for this course, please follow the links in the 'Start your application' box at the top right of this page.

Application deadline

Home students: End of August for September 2025 start and December for January 2026 start.

International students: This course is not open to international students.

Terms and Conditions

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2025/26 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).

More information and QMU contacts

Contact Alice McGrath (Programme Leader) or contact Admissions��

Opportunities to meet us

We would be delighted for you to visit us on campus to find out more about our PgCert Arts Management.

More information on our forthcoming open events

FAQs

If you have any further questions, you may find answers on the general MA Arts, Festival and Cultural Management page, which has a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

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