Cultural Policy and Management,PhD

    Cultural Policy and Management,PhD

    Duration4 year(s)
    Next IntakeOctober 1, 2026

    Cultural Policy and Management,PhD

    About

    Course Overview

    Our MPhil/PhD programme in Cultural Policy and Management invites you to submit a proposal for research on curatorial and archival practice, socially engaged art practice, cultural labour, public and community art, culture and urban regeneration, museum studies, arts education, craft cultures and related topics.

    An MPhil/PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires original research and the submission of a substantial dissertation. The MPhil thesis is not more than 60,000 words; the PhD thesis is not more than 100,000 words. This programme also welcomes practice-based PhD theses, the requirements for which vary according to the nature of the research and should be discussed with the admissions tutors. Both the MPhil and the PhD are assessed by a viva voce examination.

    We offer an exceptionally stimulating environment, where your cultural policy and management research will flourish in a wider interdisciplinary context. We have critically engaged research clusters working on creative labour, curatorial practice, digital aesthetics, digital politics, essay film, film exhibition, journalism and democracy, media reform, mediated spaces and television studies.

    Our aim is to offer a programme of seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops and reading groups that not only help you build your research skills, but generate a sense of intellectual community, based on dialogue and mutual support. You will also be offered training sessions at all levels of the College, including at the Birkbeck Graduate Research School (BGRS).

    At Birkbeck, you are initially registered on an MPhil and you upgrade to a PhD after satisfactory progress in the first year or two (full time). You need to find a suitable academic supervisor at Birkbeck, who can offer the requisite expertise to guide and support you through your research. Find out more about undertaking a research degree at Birkbeck.

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    A good degree in cultural policy, cultural studies, art history, education, or other related areas in the social sciences, humanities or fine art. Depending on your background and research experience, a BA might be sufficient. Generally we recommend that you apply with a good MA degree.

    You will also need to submit a specific indication of research interests with your application, and a 2000-word proposal.

    English Program Requirements

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this programme is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

    Fee Information

    Cultural Policy and Management,PhD

    Birkbeck, University of London

    Birkbeck, University of London

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, London