PgCert Applied Arts and Social Practice

With growing interest in applied arts and social practice, this PgCert will allow students to graduate with a better understanding of how artists, theatre practitioners and other creatives apply their skills in social contexts, third sector organisations, public health, social welfare, education and criminal justice, while giving them the practical and enterprise skills to develop a sustainable career in their chosen field.

The combination of modules makes this PgCert, and indeed the full MA, unique in Scotland. The flexible study options and diverse curriculum make it particularly suitable if you are already working in the sector or wish to do so while studying.

Why QMU?

• You’ll be part of an international cohort of students working closely and collaboratively with staff, gaining the optimum balance of theoretical and practical learning.
• You’ll benefit from a range of professional expertise as well as field trips to key cultural organisations and festivals across Scotland.

Course overview

The course will provide students with necessary knowledge, skills and experience to best prepare them for applying the arts and creativity in areas such as third sector organisations, public health, social welfare, education, and criminal justice. It also aims to provide students with the enterprise skills to establish and market themselves as applied arts practitioners in a professional context.

You may find it particularly suitable if you have already worked within social practice, or wish to broaden your understanding of your professional social practice. The course also works well for people with significant workplace experience who want to gain a formal qualification in a flexible manner.

Over the past three decades within the UK, there has been a significant and sustained growth of the arts within a social context. Indeed, the proposed Cultural Strategy in Scotland currently looks at embedding artistic and creative practices across numerous sectors, inviting artists, theatre makers, musicians, and all creative practitioners to be productive within industry, business, education and social settings.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching comprises a stimulating combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, case studies, simulation exercises, field trips and projects, as well as a period of practice-based learning. Assessment throughout the course will take a variety of forms, including essays, reports, exams, group and individual presentations.

Placements

We require students take up industry-based learning opportunities where they can put theory into practice. Although we support students to find opportunities, you are responsible to secure your own arrangements in line with your personal interests. We have numerous connections across a wide variety of organisations and we are particularly well considered by our industry peers in the cultural sector. If you are already working in the sector, you can use your existing employment as the site for your industry based learning.

Careers

This course aims can help students develop their own freelance career, but will also meet the growing needs of organisations with community based outreach departments.