Arts Management
Gain the skills and experience you need for a successful career in the creative sector, along with two work placements, in our industry-led course.
Find out more
MA Arts Management
Award:
MA Arts Management
Awarding body:
University of South Wales
Location of study:
Cardiff (RWCMD, online and location of work placement)
Start date:
21 September 2025
Duration:
One year full time or two years part time
Course code:
705F (full time) or 700P (part-time) – UCAS Conservatoires
Introduction
Gain the skills and experience you need for a career in the creative sector, along with two work placements, in our industry-led course.
Course overview
Hands-on work experience in two professional placements forms the foundation of this master’s course.
Arts management focuses on the business side of the creative industries and includes responsibilities like marketing, fundraising, overseeing budgets, planning and project development.
Our arts management training equips you with the skills and experience needed for a career in the creative sector. This unique programme develops resilient, work-ready and sought-after graduates who can succeed in a fast-paced and ever-changing industry.
In our small, supportive learning environment, you’ll be taught by experienced arts professionals, drawn from across industry, as well as high-profile guest specialists who visit throughout the year.
You’ll take on two placements during your time here – in our multi-venue arts centre and another with one of our more than 30 external partner organisations.
As well as being suitable for recent graduates, the course is also a great choice for mid-career professionals wishing to upskill or move into leadership roles.
Applicants who already have professional experience working in the arts may be able to use their experience as APEL credit (Accreditation for Prior Experience) to shorten their learning journey and save on overall course costs.
You can choose to specialise in one of three areas, which we call ‘pathways
Pathways
Why study this course?
- You’ll receive a comprehensive mix of teaching approaches in a range of settings: including a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical experience and digital work.
- Your training will shape you into a resilient, work-ready arts professional who can succeed in an ever-changing industry. We are very proud to have maintained a 100% employment record within the first year, 96% within the first 3 months, with students continuing to secure related jobs within three months of graduating.
- Choice of three specialist pathways – choose from creative producing, orchestral management or general arts management as your area of specialism, depending on your interests and career aspirations.
- Our course reflects current practice, as it is delivered by a team of professionals who all still work in the industry, as well as guest specialists who visit throughout the year.
- We have a comprehensive work placement programme and arrange placements for all arts management students, both in our multi-venue arts centre and within one of our 30+ external partner organisations. They include the Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, National Dance Company Wales, Wales Millennium Centre, Theatr Clwyd and St David’s Hall.
- You’ll learn within a music and drama conservatoire and world-class arts centre which provides unique opportunities for arts management students to collaborate on projects across the college and work with visiting artists/companies.
- Whilst most students complete the course full-time over a year, we also offer flexible study options, so if you need to balance work/life alongside your studies, consider art-time attendance – usually over two years, but can be anything up to five years.
- Also built into the course is sector-specific training – you can study for the IOSH Managing Safely in Theatre and Production Certificate. This professional award is considered essential health and safety training for those working in theatre and production management.
'The Arts Management course really helped me to progress. I’ve learned practical skills that I'm able to apply to my every day work life.
I'd recommend this course to anyone, but particularly those who want to spend dedicated time improving their arts management skills and developing their understanding of the arts industry.
It’s a great way to see what suits you and find out what you’re most interested in.'Hope DowsettGraduate
Other course information
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