Funded one year MA programme for Scottish domiciled creative practitioners wanting enhance their theoretical and practical skills when working with/in communities.

*Funded places for January 2026 start for Scottish domiciled, full-time students only*

This MA programme will allow students to graduate with a better understanding of how artists (visual artists, musicians, theatre practitioners or any other other creatives) apply their work within communities, or engage with domains such as charities, healthcare, social welfare, education and criminal justice. This course focuses on both the conceptual but also the practical and enterprise skills to develop a sustainable career.

The combination of modules on this MA makes it unique in Scotland. The flexible study options and diverse curriculum make it particularly suitable if you are already working in the sector or wish to do so while studying.

The unique focus of this course is on the *practice* of working with communities in social contexts, and thus aims to ensure students gain knowledge in real time contexts alongside communities and organisations alongside theoretical considerations. Industry-based learning opportunities are available and the final dissertation of the MA would be a community-based project either in partnership with their local or national partners, or with a community of your choosing.

Taught (face-to-face) classes will take place only on Thu and Fri during term time. When you are not in class, you are expected to spend time on independent learning/course work, including – where applicable – placement activity. There are also non-funded places for a part-time route which is more flexible, requiring approximately one day per week per semester of taught activity, and this pathway is stretched over two years.

Modules include practical and theoretical elements, and focus on: Fundraising, Development and Finance / Theories and Histories / Principles of Participatory Art / Ethics and Engagement / Planning and Evaluating Cultural Projects / Practice as Research / Dissertation. Individual modules can also be taken as part of a CPD programme.

Those ineligible for funded places may be able to be to seek funding via SAAS: please contact them directly: https://www.saas.gov.uk/index.htm

For further information, please contact Aschrag@qmu.ac.uk or visit https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/postgraduate-study/2025/ma-participatory-arts.