MA
Arts & Learning
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Why study MA Arts & Learning at Goldsmiths
This programme gives artists, practitioners and educators the opportunity to enrich and consolidate theories of contemporary art and learning. Engage with practice and theory, develop innovative research approaches, and critically debate the changing nature of contemporary art.
- You’ll be taught by staff who are nationally and internationally renowned and published artist researcher teachers.
- You’ll draw on the international scope of contemporary art practices in London. This degree has partnerships with international galleries including Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art, the Whitechapel Gallery and Gasworks.
- The programme places a strong emphasis on student-centred and directed learning. Teaching sessions and personal tutorials will draw on the critical reflection and development of your artist educator practices, including artistic, theoretical, political, and learning and teaching concerns.
- You’ll be part of a diverse student community and will have the opportunity to develop and maintain collaborative peer networks and support.
- Full-time students will be allocated a dedicated studio space at Goldsmiths.
- You’ll have access to an extensive programme of guest lectures, presentations and projects. In the past, this has included talks from: WochenKlausur, Raju Rage, Erin Manning, John Baldacchino, Grayson Perry, Yinka Shonibare, Sonia Boyce, Susan Pui San Lok, hosted through our Centre for Arts and Learning (CAL).
- The MAAL can be a pathway before or after the completion of a UK QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) programme, such as the PGCE (Secondary): Art & Design.
See our MA Arts and Learning Instagram page
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Kimberley Foster.
Length
1 year (full-time) or 2-5 years (part-time)
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second-class standard in an appropriate arts-based area. You should also have experience of working in an educational context (see full details below)
Fees
Home - full-time: £11250
Home - part-time: £TBC
International - full-time: £TBC
Department
What our students say
Overview
The programme places a strong emphasis on student-centred and directed learning, where teaching sessions and personal tutorials draw on the critical reflection and development of your artist-educator practices: including artistic, theoretical, political and learning and teaching concerns.
The modules of the programme are all underpinned with practice and explore theories of contemporary art, learning and critical and dialectical pedagogical theories and philosophies.
You'll attend lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials where you'll question the politics, ideas, practices, theory, and philosophy related to the specific topics of contemporary art practice, teaching and learning, identity and place/space construction, dialectical pedagogical theories and practice, social engagement, and research-led practices where you'll be encouraged and expected to critically discuss and debate the issues raised.
But this is just a small proportion of what we expect you to do on the degree. Independent learning/research (practice with theory) is expected throughout the programme, this typically involves critical reflection and development of your practices as artist-educator including additional readings, preparing topics for discussion/presentations, working with fellow students, producing essays, artist-positioning statements, research, planning, organising and producing practice-based work and/or projects, curating exhibitions and presentations, both individually and collaboratively.
This emphasis on independent learning is very important at Goldsmiths. We don't just want you to accept what we tell you without question. We want you to be deeply engaged with theory and practice to develop and sustain your ideas and practices as artist-educators.
Study options
This MA is offered on either a 1-year full-time or 2 to 5 years part-time basis. There are multiple ways of splitting your studies – please speak to the programme leader for further information.
Practitioners who already have existing Masters-level credits may apply to have these transferred to this degree.
You may also take advantage of one of the following exit awards:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Arts and Learning (60 credits)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts and Learning (120 credits)
What you'll study
You'll complete the following compulsory modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Revisiting Practice | 30 credits |
| Spaces of Practice (in association with the Whitechapel, Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art and the Gasworks) | 30 credits |
| Critical Pedagogy in Contested Spaces | 30 credits |
| Independent Studies (IS) | 60 credits |
Note about optional modules (if available): The above is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
Structure
This MA consists of four compulsory modules (150 credits) and one optional module (30 credits).
To enable greater flexibility for you and more equitable experience for full-time and part-time students, the MA Arts and Learning programme has a modular structure, with the majority of teaching sessions usually conducted in the evenings.
This also enables part-time and full-time students to attend the same evening teaching sessions and therefore form a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
Assessment
The MA Arts and Learning utilises a number of complementary assessment strategies. These have been devised to appropriately assess the range of learning outcomes and are underpinned by the ethos of the programme these include, exhibition/presentation/performance, essay, viva voce.
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second-class standard in an appropriate arts-based area. You should also have experience of working in an educational context, this could be in a formal or informal educational setting ie. a school, college, gallery or community context. This should be included in the personal statement.
International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.
How to apply
Apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system
Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:
- Details of your academic qualifications
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
- Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
- A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement
- A portfolio as a URL or uploaded as a PDF – you'll be asked to upload/include up to 10 images of your practice/art work as part of your application. The images can be of present and/or past personal art work/performance/installation etc.
You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.
When to apply
We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September.
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification.
Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.
Selection process
Admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally, we'll make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.
If you're invited to interview, you may be asked to bring a small portfolio of work (electronic or hard copy) as a starting point for discussion, comprising of either current or past practice.
Find out more about applying.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £11250
- Home - part-time: £TBC
- International - full-time: £TBC
If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Funding opportunities
Explore the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.
Funding may also be available from schools’ CPD budgets.
Part-time fees
Please note, the fee for the part-time study of this programme is calculated based on a modular system, where one 30-credit module totals £2,250.
The fee per year will vary depending on the number of modules you choose to undertake each year.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Paying your fees
Find out about paying your tuition fees.
If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan.
Meanwhile our Careers Service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies.
Facilities
The Educational Studies Building offers a wide range of seminar and larger teaching rooms designed for flexibility and practical work, and two IT/ICT suites with state-of-the-art computer equipment.
288 New Cross Road houses the Centre for Arts and Learning and is where most of MAAL teaching sessions and presentations are conducted. There are staff offices, three teaching/workshop spaces, and a suite of Mac computers.
All full-time MAAL students will be allocated an individual studio space at 288 NX Road for the duration of their study.
Careers
Where this degree can take you
Our graduates have an outstanding employment record in the fields of education, galleries/museums, social work/charity, health, public administration and welfare with the majority of graduates gaining full-time employment in a variety of careers including:
- Teacher, lecturer, tutor
- Heads of faculties/departments
- Community artists
- Gallery educators/curators
- Practising artists/photographers
Skills
Through the programme, you’ll develop independent thinking, understand theoretical underpinning, and the ability to question and have confidence in your ideas and practice - skills that will benefit you throughout your chosen career. You'll also develop:
- Critical and analytical skills
- Creative and practical skills
- Ability to express complex and sophisticated ideas with clarity and confidence
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively
- IT skills
As a MAAL alumna, you’ll continue to research and engage in the presentation of your practices through practice, exhibitions, socially-engaged projects, international conferences and international journals.
Research
The Department is committed to research that is conceptually and intellectually rigorous, and which has the capacity to inform professional practice. Research is conducted in three main areas:
- Bilingualism and biculturalism in education
- Equity and social justice in education
- The arts and education
We have the following research centres in the department:
- Centre for Arts and Learning (CAL)
- Centre for Language, Culture and Learning (CLCL)
- Centre for Identities and Social Justice
Find out more about research in the Department of Educational Studies.
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