Culture, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Culture and creativity play a fundamental role in the development of individuals, societies, and economies worldwide. On this course you'll examine the contested concepts of culture and creativity, and how policy makers, cultural organisations, and creative entrepreneurs are operating in contemporary cultures and economies on a global scale.

You'll explore how organisations across the arts, cultural and creative sectors work in theory and practice, as well as the impact they can have on individuals and communities. You'll have the opportunity to examine the relationship between the cultural and creative industries and the arts, and explore how the cultural sector is managed by policy makers, cultural organisations, and creative entrepreneurs.

Working collaboratively on an entrepreneurial project, you'll have the opportunity to gain insight into the business models of local creative and cultural organisations.

You'll also devise and carry out an independent research project into an aspect of culture, creativity and/or entrepreneurship, investigating a topic of interest to you.

Throughout, you will learn from researchers with extensive industry experience and have the freedom to investigate areas of personal and professional interest.

Rooted in cultural theory and analysis of the contemporary cultural and creative industries, the course is designed for those who have previously studied courses related to cultural studies, social sciences, arts management or creative industries.

Extensive resources

You will have access to staff who are at the forefront of the study of the cultural and creative industries and have extensive experience working in the creative, cultural and policy making sector in the UK.

The School has close links with the Centre for Cultural Value, a national research centre based in the University of Leeds that provides many opportunities for students to become involved in its activities as volunteers.

Our School is based in stage@leeds, a purpose-built landmark building that sits at the heart of campus. stage@leeds hosts a range of work by students and visiting theatre companies all year round. Within the building, you will also find rehearsal rooms, two black-box studios, costume construction and wardrobe stores, a design studio, a scenic workshop, computer aided design facilities and video-editing and sound recording.

These facilities support teaching in the School and are also used by many student societies.  

Leeds University Library is one of the UK’s major academic research libraries, and has extensive holdings to support your studies including Special Collections offering a huge range of rare books, manuscripts and art.

Highlights include materials relating to Leeds Playhouse, the English Stage Company, Phoenix Dance Theatre, as well as the archives of dramatists, directors and choreographers like Wole Soyinka, Rudolph Laban, John Moody, and William Gaskill.

Many of the Library’s materials are available online, allowing you to access them from a distance. You will also have access to study services like one-to-one support and skills development workshops, which will help you to get the most out of your time with us.