MA Participatory Arts at Queen Margaret University

Programme overview

The MA Participatory Arts prepares artists and creative practitioners for work in arts and social practice, applying creative skills in community, health and educational settings. It combines classroom learning with industry-based opportunities and prepares graduates for freelance careers or roles in organisations with community outreach activities.

Faculty: School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management | Department: MCPA (Arts, Culture and the Creative Industries) | Duration: 1 year full time (18 months full time with January start) or 2-7 years part time | Intake: September 2027, January 2028 | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Musselburgh (Edinburgh), Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Practice as Research, Theories and Histories of Participatory Arts, Participatory Art Laboratory (40 credits), Fundraising, Finance and Development, and The Only Way is Ethics: Art Representation and Ethics, plus a 60-credit practice-based dissertation.

Career pathways

Roles in organisations with community-based outreach departments or freelance arts practice; graduates have worked with the Lyceum Theatre or set up their own organisations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants should meet one of: UK honours degree in a creative subject; honours degree in a non-creative subject with a portfolio; bachelor ordinary degree in a creative subject plus two years relevant experience; ordinary degree in a non-creative subject plus two years experience and portfolio; HND in any subject plus two years experience and portfolio; or no undergraduate degree with seven years relevant experience plus portfolio. Portfolio guidance is issued after application submission. Others may be considered for the Associate route. Deadlines: home end of August (September 2027) and mid-December (January 2028); international end of June and end of November. International applicants: no English requirement stated on this page.

Domestic applicants: GBP 7,750 a year (2027/28). Scotland/RUK/ROI. Full-time tuition per year. Source

International applicants: GBP 18,950 a year (2027/28). Full-time tuition per year. Source

Intake: September 2027 / January 2028

Duration: 1 year full time (18 months full time with January start) or 2-7 years part time

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