Creative and Cultural Industries - MA
Keele's MA in Creative and Cultural Industries covers the key theories and debates around creative practice, production and consumption, and provides the opportunity to apply your knowledge in industry. Our programme examines the core skills required to fill the gaps in a growing sector, across creative industries that are at the forefront of society. Build expertise and an understanding of specialist areas such as music, media, film and games. Explore the contemporary challenges impacting the sector from diversity and inclusion to sustainability, with insights into real-world scenarios. Whether you wish to take on leadership roles, excel as a creative practitioner or pursue further research through PhD study, this MA will help to prepare you for your next steps in your career.
Month of entry
- September, January
Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
Fees for 2025/26 academic year
- UK - Full time £10,100 per year. Part time £5,600 per year.
International - £20,200 per year.
Duration of study
- Full time - 1 year, Part time - 2 years, Modular - Up to 5 years
Why study Creative and Cultural Industries at Keele University?
Course summary
Join a growing sector to understand the evolving changes across culture, society, and technology, ready to apply your learning in industry. Our programme enables you to build valuable skills that are high in demand and can be applied to various creative and cultural roles. Become equipped with academic attributes including independent research, data analysis and evidence evaluation to support your employment prospects and next steps in your career.
Keele's Creative and Cultural Industries MA offers a comprehensive understanding of theory and practice relevant to various areas in the field, including performing arts, museums, galleries, music, film and games. You’ll draw from various disciplinary approaches, including cultural history, sociology, media and screen studies, management, and cultural policy, to explore the structure and futures of the creative and cultural industries, regionally, nationally, and globally.
With a foundation in theory and practice, you will be able to apply your learning to real-world scenarios to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. As a Master's student, you will become equipped with academic and professional attributes including project management skills, research ethics and reflective practice. Engage with issues and debates such as, the value of culture, sustainability and diversity, inclusion, and representation in the arts. With insights into current issues, you will be ready to implement your understanding into your own practice and career.
From taught modules, to work-based learning opportunities, you will engage with guest lectures, placements, and supervised project work, enabling you to gain insights and a critical understanding of specific areas within the creative and cultural industries. These experiences will help to support and enhance your employment through the exploration of various elements across industries, building key skills aligned to practices of your interest.
Next steps
Course structure
Our MA Creative and Cultural Industries programme can be studied as either a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course, with a September or January start date. It is also possible to study more flexibly part-time on a modular basis, accumulating degree credits by taking individual modules over a period of a maximum of five years. Please note, the teaching delivery may differ for part-time students.
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Compulsory modules
Research Methods in the Humanities, Media, and Creative Arts
This interdisciplinary module equips you with the skills that you need to conduct advanced research in your discipline. Taught by staff from across the School of Humanities, the module introduces you to concepts that are integral to successful research: research ethics, diversity in research, research methods, bibliographic and information skills, writing and performing for different audiences, managing large research projects, applying for research funding, and more! You will be in seminars with postgraduate students from across the School of Humanities, providing an opportunity to learn from those with different research backgrounds and perspectives. As well as preparing you for undertaking advanced research, this module gives you important transferable skills in developing plans and proposals for transforming ideas into completed projects.
Reflective Practice in the Humanities, Media, and Creative Arts
In the Humanities, we tend to work within our own disciplines – even those of us who truly work across disciplines usually identify ourselves as having a disciplinary ‘home’. But there is much to be gained from looking beyond our disciplines, to other approaches and theories adopted in, and beyond, the Humanities. In this research training module you will be exposed to a variety of approaches to Humanities research, and you will be encouraged to reflect on how those approaches might enhance your own research. What are the Humanities? Who are they for?
The Creative and Cultural Industries in Local, National, and Global Context
The value of the creative and cultural industries is paramount: they contribute to peoples’ quality of life, are among the fastest growing employment sectors in the UK, and fuel prosperity regionally and nationally. This module equips you with a comprehensive, up-to-date understanding of the global creative economy: its structures, the policies that shape it, and its significance to people who produce and participate in it. You’ll gain theoretical and real-world approaches to analysing this dynamic sector and your place in it.
Professional Practice in Creative and Cultural Industries
Elevate your career in the creative and cultural sectors through this Professional Practice module. This module offers insights into the dynamic landscape of creative industries—from arts and design to media, film, music and cultural heritage. You’ll gain hands-on experience in project management, networking, and self-promotion, alongside strategies for navigating freelance, entrepreneurial, and collaborative work. This module features workshops, industry talks, and real-world case studies and offers the chance to collaborate with an industry/external partner on building a portfolio. This module prepares you to thrive in a competitive field with the skills to turn your creative passion into a sustainable career.
Extended Project in Creative and Cultural Industries
The Extended Project is the culminating point of the MA Creative and Cultural Industries. You'll develop a topic focused on one of three possible pathways: research; collaboration/consultancy, or creative practice. It offers opportunities for research in cultural industries such as literature, theatre, heritage, public history, games design, music production, and film. Projects will be supervised by an expert academic. Students meet in Reflection, Embedding and Planning workshops to complete formative dissertation plans, supported by their supervisor and peers. Supervisors advise you on reading, research methods, project structure and design, and they comment on draft chapters and/or creative work.
Optional modules
Work Placement in Creative and Cultural Industries
This module offers you the opportunity to complete a work placement or work as a part of a team to deliver a successful festival or event linked to the Creative and Cultural Industries. You will collaborate with professionals in the Creative and Cultural Industries, developing your creative expertise in the workplace, and you will build key skills in communication, analytical thinking and problem-solving. As well as giving you cutting-edge experience of a sector that you are interested in entering following graduation, you will gain valuable employer contacts, providing you with an effective career launchpad.
Entrepreneurship
This module will develop an understanding of the theories and social context of entrepreneurship. It is intended to develop student's analytical skills and provide an academic grounding for students who are considering entrepreneurship as an employment option or wishing to better understand the contemporary preoccupation with entrepreneurship.
Developing an Investable Business Plan
This module is designed to provide you with a critical understanding of the different steps that a new venture takes from developing an initial business idea to creating a business plan and as a link to securing funding. The module will enable you to understand theories of enterprise and entrepreneurship and enable you to relate such theories to practice through a project to develop market research using appropriate tools and techniques.
The American South: US Summer School (Level 7)
Study Southern US culture on location! This summer school is a unique chance to immerse yourself in the Southern United States and complete an interdisciplinary module. The American South is acknowledged as a distinctive but difficult to define geographical and cultural entity. Attitudes to the South range from celebration to derision. The module takes an interdisciplinary, cultural studies approach, thinking through historical and current constructions of the US South through its history, literature, film, and wider culture. You have the chance not only to spend four weeks at one of our partner universities taught by Keele staff, but also to shape your own research project with the support of module tutors.
Subject Specialism
As a postgraduate student specialising in the Creative and Cultural Industries, you will choose a subject specialism that is closely matched to your research interests. You will explore the theory and practice of your chosen subject in advanced ways. In reflecting on how this subject informs your broader MA research, this module will contribute to your MA project research. As well as developing advanced skills in the Creative and Cultural Industries, you will enhance your skills in presenting this research to broader audiences, specifically to Level 6 undergraduate students, with guidance from the teaching team.
Next steps
Entry requirements
Next steps
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees) from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees) from a private university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees) or 65% in a degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees) from a '211' university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in a degree of at least 3 years in any Humanities, or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a special bachelor's degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in any Humanities or Social Science subject (including Business and Law degrees)
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
Funding
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2025 start date falls in the 2024/25 academic year. Please see the January 2025 fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2025
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Next steps
Your career
On this course, you will explore cultural innovation, value, and power in a fast-changing digital world. You will gain an understanding of how business, technology, and policy are redefining cultural and creative practices today and the professional skills needed by cultural and creative organisations in the private and public sectors, and by regional and national government.
With these expertise, you will be prepared to embark on an exciting career across various industries as a creative practitioner/professional.
Having an MA in Creative and Cultural Industries, you can explore the following roles/careers:
- Music
- Filmmaking
- Photography
- Writing
- Publishing/Journalism
- Community Arts
- Heritage
- Research
- Marketing
- Business
Keele’s Careers and Employability team are available to help you think about your future options and how to enhance your employability prospects.
Next steps
Teaching, learning and assessment
Benefit from the teaching, research, and professional practice of academics in Keele’s diverse School of Humanities, with input from Keele Business School, and a series of opportunities to work with our broad range of industry partners, which includes local and national arts, heritage, media, and business organisations.
We have previously collaborated with dozens of partner organisations including Silk Mill Recording Studios, Inspired Film and Video, and Cross Rhythms Radio. We have a Partnership Development Manager with a remit for creative industries collaborations, as well as a Placements and Projects Manager who supports individual students to find relevant work placement opportunities.
How you'll be taught
Throughout this programme, you will engage with a range of creative teaching methods to support your learning experience and enhance your subject knowledge. You will work independently to prepare for taught sessions and utilise course materials and resources, as well as work with peers to discuss, examine and debate course content.
You will also be able to explore placement opportunities, allowing you to work under the supervision of a partner organisation to enhance your skill-set and industry knowledge with real-world application.
Teaching will be delivered via:
- Interactive lectures - Introducing you to key concepts, debates and frameworks.
- Workshops - Enabling you to collaborate on tasks to build core skills in technical areas.
- Seminars and tutorials - An opportunity to discuss and analyse readings/viewings with peers, guided by academic staff.
- Industry Voices Masterclasses/Site visits - A chance to meet professionals working in the creative and cultural industries.
How you'll be assessed
Our assessments will enable you to demonstrate the knowledge you have gained throughout the programme and prepare for various roles that require clear communication, critical thinking and creative qualities.
These include:
- Essays and reports - Demonstrating the application of subject knowledge and your ability to carry out research and communicate ideas effectively.
- Reflective diaries - Encouraging you to critically engage with the modes and practices of study, learning and development.
- Professional portfolios - Curating and presenting work professionally, aligned to industry standards.
- Presentations - Assessing your knowledge and understanding through visual/oral communication.
- Pitches - Testing your ability to communicate persuasively and with authority, considering the needs of audiences, investors and stakeholders.
You will also engage with annotated bibliographies, project outlines and business plans to test your ability to plan, prepare and structure content. This will be further demonstrated through your dissertation project, enabling you to conduct independent research and report on findings in an extended piece of written work.
Next steps
Keele Postgraduate Association
Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.
Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.
Our expertise
Teaching staff on this programme include academics in the School of Humanities with a broad range of research, teaching, and professional practice specialisms across the creative and cultural industries. These include public historians, novelists, screenwriters, music producers, composers, game designers, photographers, filmmakers, digital media content creators, and ethnographers.
Additional academic staff in Keele Business School are experts in entrepreneurship, business development, and creating business plans.
Teaching team includes:
Next steps
Facilities
School of Humanities
At Keele, you will benefit from the use of dedicated teaching spaces as well as access to specialised facilities, ready for you to implement and challenge your practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Our beautiful 19th-century Clockhouse is home to comprehensive studio facilities, housing equipment for sound recording, music production, computer music, audio-visual creative work, sound design, and music software development. We also have a multi-purpose studio for live sound recording, mixing and mastering known as our Courtyard Studio, equipped with cutting-edge technology, featuring a control room with Dolby Atmos multi-speaker audio system, a live room with foley recording facility, voiceover booth, and a band rehearsal room.
You will also have access to our photographic studio, screening room, Apple Macintosh labs, filmmaking equipment and Nikon/Canon cameras to support your skills development and employability prospects.
Explore our facilities in the School of Humanities.
Keele University Library
Our on-campus library holds a wide range of written and visual material that you can access during your degree programme, as well as designated study spaces to brainstorm ideas, work independently/with peers or edit content.