
London, United Kingdom
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jul 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 15,500 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international | UK: £11,700
Key Summary
Introduction
The Global Contemporary Art MA is a practice-led course designed to nurture the professional, critical, and collaborative skills needed to pursue impactful, globally-aware, and socially responsible artistic and curatorial practices.
The course recognizes that there has been a fundamental shift in the vision and purpose of contemporary art in global and trans-local contexts. Informed by the work of the Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (CREAM), the course will enable you to become a mobile and dynamic professional capable of developing artistic and curatorial practices that are sustainable, critical, and imaginative responses to major global challenges.
The course has been designed for arts graduates wishing to further develop their practice, or professionals wanting to explore new opportunities for research-led initiatives and engagement with wider audiences. You’ll advance your artistic and curatorial practices through activities that emphasize learning through engagement with real-world scenarios, organizations, platforms, and technologies.
You’ll be encouraged to experiment with collaborative and interdisciplinary artistic and curatorial methods. Additionally, you’ll be given opportunities to develop independent or collaborative projects across diverse sites, contexts, and platforms, and remain connected with key research and practice themes developed by Westminster School of Arts research platforms and partners. These include sustainable ecosystems, alternative futures, and reclaiming collective identities.
You’ll study the year-long Professional Practice module, which aims to support your progression beyond graduation. The module provides mentorship sessions, career seminars, and practical workshops alongside other opportunities.
Top Reasons to Study with Us
- Fantastic Location – You'll enjoy all the benefits of studying at our Harrow Campus, just a 20-minute Tube ride from Central London, a global hub for contemporary art as well as the creative and technology industries
- Study in a Creative Environment – You’ll have access to course studios and extensive industry-level facilities including the Emerging Media Space, computer labs, green screen and film studios, editing suites, 3D workshops, 2D print and photographic printing, and darkroom facilities
- Informed by CREAM – The course has been developed by the Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (CREAM). The global network will give you access to professional production and public engagement contexts, from exhibition and performance to online platforms and film screenings
- Choose your Path – Our range of option modules enables you to deepen your knowledge of specific practices, develop flexible approaches, and tailor your degree to your interests and chosen practice
Why Study This Course?
Learn from Expert Tutors
Our internationally renowned academics have diverse experiences and a wealth of expertise working as artists, curators, and researchers.
State-of-the-art Facilities
Enjoy industry-level facilities including the Emerging Media Space, computer labs, photographic green screen and film studios, editing suites, 3D workshops, 2D print and photographic printing, and darkroom facilities.
Fantastic Location
With Central London only a 20-minute Tube ride away, you’ll enjoy the benefits of studying in a major capital for the creative industries.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
This course offers the opportunity to develop projects with external partners. You’ll be well placed to take up graduate roles within a range of professional settings, including policy development, research and development, third sector, and artist-based cooperatives. The course concludes with a significant self-directed Master's project which develops your independence, project management skills, and development of your portfolio to showcase your practice for future employers.
Industry Knowledge
You’ll be taught by a teaching team with a wide range of experience both in industry and academia.
Professional Development
A year-long Professional Practice module puts professional development at the core of your journey. You’ll be supported by mentors, industry experts, and your tutors to develop a personal career plan according to your own interests and professional goals.
3,000 Employers around the World
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Industry Links
Our global network gives you access to advanced professional contexts of production and public engagement, from exhibition and performance to online platforms and film screenings.
Job Roles
Depending on your area of creative endeavor – this course acts as a launchpad for careers that reflect changes in the growing global field of contemporary art and its related creative community. From thought leaders to social and eco visionaries leading on sustainable art futures, the course is intended to support independent, cultural, and industry-focused graduates who can work on connected local challenges across global contexts.
The course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas, including:
- Collaborative, collective, or independent artists
- Creative, political, or socially minded curators
- Disruptive digital practitioners in creative industries
- Managers of cultural organizations, museums, and galleries
- Cultural and arts events producers
- Cultural and social entrepreneurs
- Creative non-fiction film and media practitioners
- Educators, academics, and researchers
- Public, arts, and cultural policy advisors
- Independent arts administration and advocacy managers
- Managers, archivists, and advocates for collections, intangible heritage, and socially engaged arts
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Program delivery
Course Location
The vibrant home of our creative, media and digital courses, the Harrow Campus offers one of the richest portfolios of creative industry research and learning in Europe. The recent redevelopment of the campus has seen the creation of fluid, informal learning spaces, dedicated project and gallery spaces and a revamped library.