Course summary
Arts and Festivals Management is the longest-running degree course of its kind in the UK and boasts enviable industry links. Whilst deepening your understanding of academic debates, our course will equip you with the practical tools and skills needed to become a leader in key areas of the cultural arena, including theatres, music venues, galleries, museums and festivals. You will develop a range of interdisciplinary skills such as teamwork, marketing and management theory, fundraising, business planning, licensing, health and safety, programming and cultural policy. In your final year, you will have the opportunity either to produce a large-scale arts event of your choice or be part of the team producing, programming and running the high-profile annual Cultural eXchanges Festival. Previous events have featured inspiring guests such as Benjamin Zephaniah, Grayson Perry and Meera Syal. We will teach you to become an adept problem solver, with the ability to provide dynamic solutions within this continually changing and diversifying sector. You can choose to specialise in digital arts management and get practical experience in online event delivery, tackling the real-life challenges of engaging audiences in increasingly new and innovative ways. Key features
- Arts and Festivals Management at DMU is ranked number one in the UK in the ‘Hospitality, event management and tourism’ subject area (Guardian University Guide 2022).
- You will study a range of topics, including running and promoting a venue, cultural leadership, arts and communities, engaging audiences and digital arts management.
- 100% of students were satisfied overall with the course (National Student Survey, 2022).
- Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.
- Links with the Leicester Comedy Festival have provided students with the opportunity to organise and run a venue, manage the acts and promote events. The festival founder is DMU alumnus Geoff Rowe.
- The city of Leicester has thriving creative industries and a vibrant cultural scene, providing opportunities to gain professional experience. Students have worked with the Tour de Moon festival, Phoenix Cinema and Arts Centre, Curve theatre, Serendipity and Soft Touch Arts.
- Benefit from top-quality teaching by industry experts, thanks to excellent links with leading organisations such as Universal Music and London’s Southbank Centre.
- Gain real-life experience through a placement module with a professional organisation. Students have previously worked with the Joseph Papp Public Theatre in New York, Universal Music, HQ Recording, Ministry of Sound and Glastonbury Festival.
- Our graduates are highly practical individuals who are equipped with business planning, engagement and delivery skills, which are hugely attractive in the arts sector. Graduates hold key positions across a wide range of industries and roles, including The Barbican, Ballet Rambert, Wembley Arena and the BBC.
Modules
First year Block 1: Cultural Events Design Block 2: Running and Promoting a Venue Block 3: Cultural Leadership Block 4: The Creative Arts Manager: Policy and Practice Second year Block 1: Programming and Planning Festival Block 2: Audiences and Communities Project Block 3: Select one from the list below: International Research Visit Digital Arts Management and Enterprise 1: Conceptualisation Block 4: Research Methods: Dissertation and Placement Third year Block 1: Select one from the list below: Dissertation Creative Enterprise and Placement Block 2: Arts Management Studio Block 3: Music Industry Management Block 4: Select one from the list below: Events and Festivals Management Digital Arts Management and Enterprise 2: Applications
Assessment method
We want to ensure you have the best learning experience possible and a supportive and nurturing learning community. That’s why we’re introducing a new block model for delivering the majority of our courses, known as Education 2030. This means a more simplified timetable where you will study one subject at a time instead of several at once. You will have more time to engage with your learning and get to know the teaching team and coursemates. You will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment and have a better study-life balance to enjoy other important aspects of university life. Structure In the first year you will be introduced to cultural theory and policy, designing cultural events, managing people and teams, personal management, marketing (including running and promoting a festival venue as part of Leicester Comedy Festival), finance, leadership skills and academic research. The Running and Promoting a Festival module will provide you with practical experience with a professional arts organisation. In the second year the focus is on deepening your understanding of political and economic factors in the development of cultural products and services at national, regional and local levels. You can choose to focus on digital arts management to develop your knowledge of policy and trends in the production and engagement with digital arts and festivals. You will also begin preparation for your third year placement or dissertation and take part in a research trip to a major European city through DMU Global. In your third year you will complete a dissertation or placement, with a focus on developing your entrepreneurial skills. You will also undertake more specialist studies including Arts Management Studio and Music Industry Management, as well as plan and run our Cultural eXchanges festival or deliver your own large-scale event. If you choose to specialise in digital arts management, you will apply the strategic thinking gained in your second year to develop a digital business. You will be taught through a variety of methods including lectures, talks by visiting lecturers from the creative and cultural industries, seminars, workshops, tutorials and self directed study. Practical modules are also delivered via workshops in our dedicated events office and the venues where the events are taking place. Assessment is tailored to each module and is predominantly coursework including essays, reports, critiques, business plans, finance exercises, case study analysis, group work, presentations and an optional dissertation. Contact hours In your first year, you will normally attend around 8 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and tutorials) each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 20 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- N820
- Institution code:
- D26
- Campus name:
- Leicester Campus
- Campus code:
- Y
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma - M: 30 credits
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 points
T Level - M
Student Outcomes
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £15750 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
De Montfort University
The Gateway
Leicester
LE1 9BH