PgCert Participatory Arts at Queen Margaret University

Programme overview

The PgCert in Participatory Arts is a 60-credit postgraduate certificate on applying creative practice in community, health, education and social welfare settings. It can be studied full time or part time alongside employment and counts as credit towards the MA Participatory Arts.

Faculty: School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management | Department: MCPA | Duration: 1 semester full time or up to 2 years part time (60 credits, SCQF level 11) | Intake: September 2027; January 2028 | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Musselburgh (Edinburgh), Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Modules include Participatory Art Laboratory (40 credits), covering dialogue, interpersonal skills and group facilitation through practical work with groups and communities, and The Only Way is Ethics: Art, Representation and Ethics (20 credits). Students take up industry-based learning opportunities, taught alongside MA students, with assessment by essays, reports, exams and presentations.

Career pathways

Preparation for organisations with community outreach programmes and for a sustainable freelance career. Graduates have worked with organisations such as the Lyceum Theatre, set up their own organisations or work as freelance artists.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

UK Honours degree or equivalent in a creative subject; UK Honours degree or equivalent in a non-creative subject with a portfolio; bachelor ordinary degree in a creative subject plus two years' relevant work experience; bachelor ordinary degree in a non-creative subject plus two years' relevant work experience and a portfolio; HND or equivalent in any subject plus five years' relevant work experience and a portfolio; or no undergraduate degree with a minimum of seven years' relevant work experience and a portfolio. Applicants meeting none of these may be considered for the Associate route (one module initially). Portfolio information is issued after the application is reviewed. English language (international applicants): IELTS 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0. Application deadline for home students: end of August for September 2027 start and December for January 2028 start. Not open to international students; the MA Participatory Arts is the international route.

Intake: September 2027 / January 2028

Duration: 1 semester full time or up to 2 years part time (60 credits, SCQF level 11)

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