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Creative Industries Management and Policy

MA, PG Cert, PG Dip

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:

September 2026

Study route:

MSC, PG Dip

  • One year full-time, on campus
  • One year full-time, online
  • One year full-time, flexible learning
  • Two years part-time, on campus
  • Two years part-time, online
  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

PG Cert

  • One year part-time, on campus
  • One year part-time, online
  • One year part-time, flexible learning
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

Our creative industries management and policy course gives you a chance to explore the requirements and benefits of sustainable and strategic policy and management in the field of creative industries.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This course incorporates a unique combination of professional development and theoretical exploration in creative industries management, policy theory and practice, cultural theory and planning.
    • It gives you the opportunity to analyse the major trends and current debates related to the creative industries
    • You will benefit from valuable links with creative organisations, including an optional work placement.

  • What will I learn?

    The course provides you with a comprehensive overview of the sector. It balances theory and practice within the context of the current social, political, economic and technological environments. We invite you to develop and expand your key critical-thinking skills, focusing on creative industries development and analysis, addressing key commercial sector issues but also studying relations with the public and voluntary sector creative organisations.

    You will engage with historical and contemporary management and policy frameworks and practice in the UK, Europe and elsewhere and take an in-depth look at the working practices among organisations in the creative sector. You will then be able to tailor the course to your interests and career aspirations by taking option modules that are specifically designed to provide a strong theoretical and professional focus in areas relating to:

    • audiences
    • leadership in creative organisations
    • comparative cultural policies
    • digital culture.

  • How will I learn?

    This course is available to study online or on campus, or via a combination of both with classes in the evening and some daytime sessions. As well as engaging in lectures, tutorials and workshops, you will also have the opportunity to take part in smaller discursive seminar groups.

    If you are keen to deepen your sector experience, we offer a placement option in which you can work on your own research interests within creative organisations. Past students have had valuable experiences in organisations ranging from the Greater London Authority to the Hackney Museum, and from the Big Dance Project to the Wallace Collection.

    We offer this course as a Master’s, or Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate. For the Diploma or Certificate you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two evenings a week, plus some daytime sessions, September to July.

    Part-time: One to two evenings a week, plus some daytime sessions, September to July.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
  • We offer a one-to-one mentoring scheme, where students are paired for six months with alumni who have become well-established leaders in the cultural and creative industries. Mentors are based in a variety of arts organisations, such as Arts Council England, the Craft Council, Tender Pixel, the BBC, Camden Cultural Partnership and Boundless Theatre, or have pursued a successful freelance career.
  • Birkbeck has established a growing international reputation combining cultural studies with the latest ideas and techniques across film studies, journalism, screenwriting, arts management and digital media. You are welcome to attend events at BIRMAC (Birkbeck Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Culture) as well as the Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image and the Vasari Research Centre for Art and Technology.
  • We run the Lorraine Lim Prize, a yearly essay competition that rewards outstanding written work related to cultural flow and creative work. The best dissertation is also rewarded with a prize at the end of each academic year. We also offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.

Modules and Teaching

School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication

The school's teaching and research is highly interdisciplinary, spanning cultures and periods. Academic and practice-based study will equip you for a career in the creative and cultural industries.

Visit the school

Entry requirements

You should have a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in an arts subject, or in any subject together with experience of administration/management in an arts/cultural organisation, or three years’ relevant experience, for example in a management role in an arts/cultural organisation. Applications from those with non-standard academic qualifications, such as from applicants with substantial experience of administration/management, will also be considered.

On the basis of prior learning and achievement, exemption may be possible for up to 50% of Year 1 elements of the MA.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £11,115 per year
Full-time international students: £22,230 per year

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £11,115 per year
Full-time international students: £22,230 per year

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £11,115 per year
Full-time international students: £22,230 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, on campus, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £7,410 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, online, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £7,410 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, flexible learning, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £7,410 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students: £7,410 per year
Full-time international students: £14,820 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students: £7,410 per year
Full-time international students: £14,820 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students: £7,410 per year
Full-time international students: £14,820 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On this MA Creative Industries Management and Policy we take a sustainable approach to career development that allows you to enjoy your studies and apply innovative and creative thinking for years to come.

Graduates can pursue career paths in the national and international arts and cultural sectors in, for example:

  • development and marketing
  • audience development
  • strategic planning
  • programming and curating
  • management of art collectives and networking hubs.

Jobs gained by some of our graduates include:

  • Director of the Jerwood Foundation
  • Co-ordinator at Nordic Council of Ministers
  • Tour Manager at Sadler's Wells
  • Development Officer at Bow Arts Trust
  • Executive Producer at Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design
  • Marketing Officer at the opera company Teatro Real, Madrid
  • International Programmer at Taipei Performing Arts Centre

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

Related courses

Study routes for Creative Industries Management and Policy (MA, PG Cert, PG Dip)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in September 2026

Full-time

Part-time