Socially Engaged Arts Practice
Full-time
Part-time
One year
Two year
September 2025
In a nutshell
Do you want to empower communities through the power of art?
Socially engaged arts practice seeks to do this, through collaboration and participation with people, through co-authored and co-produced activities that helps to define an environment, attitude or experience. Often the process of these interactions is as important as the visual artworks produced.
Students will be supported to consider pressing social issues such as inclusion, mental health, homelessness, regeneration and sustainability amongst many others to enable students of this course to explore a wider variety of real-life scenarios. Students will then be supported to apply an artistic approach and understanding to developing conversations and debate around these areas with relevant stakeholders within a community.
Artists have a history of using their creativity to highlight the topics that matter to them. If you want to be part of the next generation of socially engaged artists - through either full-time or part-time study - our socially engaged arts practice programme is for you.
We are also interested to hear from individuals who may be exploring curatorial or producing roles within social practice as well as artist delivery roles.
You’ll work with communities or projects that have a story to share, from youth clubs and local organisations, to cultural groups and institutions, such as the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh. You will use your arts practice to explore these compelling stories through the development of participatory events within this community, before potentially disseminating these findings to a wider populace, in a variety of forms. You’ll also gain an arts education relating to social issues, learning to use research and reflection to guide your creative process and create art that shines a spotlight on causes that matter.
This course is part of our suite of MA Art and Design programmes, which means you also get the opportunity to work collaboratively on a few modules with students from Socially Engaged Photography, Contemporary Fine Art, Visual Communications, and Creative Technology. We welcome and support you to work in a cross-disciplinary with your peers, echoing the way professionals work within the creative industries today.
Want to learn more about studying on this Master’s community arts programme? Come along to our Open Day or contact our MA Art and Design Programme Leader, Liz Wewiora: e.wewiora@salford.ac.uk
International applicants: Please check the international intakes page for the latest information and applicant dates.
You will:
- Learn the skills needed to forge a professional career in the world of social and community art through engagement within dedicated communities
- Develop co-authorship and co-curation skills in managing and producing community inspired and facilitated projects
- Collaborate with other art and design students from different courses, strengthening your ability to work across multiple disciplines
- Develop essential transferrable skills such as research, presenting, and self-reflection, as well as refine your artistic and creative abilities
- Graduate with a strong portfolio of work
options available
students accepted
This is for you if...
You are a committed fine art or creative practitioner who wants to develop your personal practice in a community setting.
You want to learn by undertaking placements, residencies, and live project opportunities with communities, arts and public sector organisations.
You hope to develop your knowledge and skills relating to current debates and practices.
All about the course
If you’re passionate about enabling communities to express and explore their own voices through artistic practice relating to contemporary social issues to current issues or represents communities that are important to you, through either full-time or part-time study this socially engaged art master’s programme is a fantastic way to move your career in a new direction.
During the first semester, you’ll learn how to make effective use of research techniques in identifying and developing relationships with chosen or identified communities, how to present your findings and ideas, as well as gain an understanding of how collaboration and engagement with communities can be applied to your own creative process.
Following on from that, your second semester will expose you to some of the practical and theoretical issues faced by socially engaged artists, You will work closely within your chosen communities to undertake a work placement which will help develop tangible real-world experience and enable you to apply your creativity and knowledge to benefit a particular project or organisation.
You’ll finish this arts and community course by completing a final major project, in which you’ll use all of the skills you’ve gained and developed during your studies. From research to critical reflection, you’ll be able to negotiate and work on a project of your choosing to serve as a clear demonstration of your understanding and creative ability.
About the timetabling and delivery of the course:
We understand that many of our post-graduate students may have other work, family or other personal responsibilities. We therefore focus our main on campus teaching days on Tuesdays for part time students, and Tuesdays with some Wednesdays for full time students. We can also be flexible in offering online tutorial slots for students instead of in-person where appropriate
Find out what you’ll be covering in each module by taking a look at the full course breakdown below.
Creative Research Methods
This module focuses on the understanding of and the application of a range of practice based research methods. You are initially encouraged to develop an individual line of enquiry that will be explored through a variety of creative research methods of which you are supported through lectures, seminars and tutorials. This module has two assessment points at week seven and 12 and submissions will generally be project based (70%) with an underpinning written component (30%).
Exploring Theory and Practice
This module deals with the theoretical and practical issues faced by practitioners in the context of art and the creative and cultural industries. The module supports you in developing new ideas through research and practice and through an appraisal of the context in which they operate. Particular emphasis is placed on contexts that emerge from international perspectives and from contemporary debates around creativity.
Real World Context
Through the Real World Context module you will undertake a placement in a relevant work place to gain new experiences and test out developing ideas and activities. The creative and cultural industries embrace a range of professional subjects. Given the transversality of these industries, it is important for you to have sufficient knowledge about the sector and its wider contexts, enabling you to identify and acquire professional skills within and across relevant sub-sectors. It is also important to enable you to understand and have experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment and an international context.
Applied Practice
Within the module you will examine how your design work can be applied to external contexts such as live projects, commissions and external sites. You will work towards establishing a mature design practice and evidence your research focus through a critical and practical framework.
Definitive Practice
The aims of the major project are to offer you the opportunity to critically engage in a major project in which the emphasis will be on defining and analysing through action research, and developing a constructive practical response to a line of enquiry or research question while formulating your own resolutions or conclusions from your body of work. The culmination of this module is an exhibition or other form of public exposition.
During the 'major project’ you are provided with a supporting supervisor, in developing concerns and practice-drivers accrued throughout the chosen programme of study, via a programmed series of tutorials. Individual tutorials and peer interaction/group discussions are integral to the development of the major project.
Creative Research Methods
This module focuses on the understanding of and the application of a range of practice-based research methods. You are initially encouraged to develop an individual line of inquiry that will be explored through a variety of creative research methods of which you are supported through lectures, seminars and tutorials. This module has two assessment points at weeks 4 and 12 and submissions will generally be project-based (70%) with an underpinning written component (30%).
Applied Practice
Within the module you will examine how your design work can be applied to external contexts such as live projects, commissions and external sites. You will work towards establishing a mature design practice and evidence your research focus through a critical and practical framework.
Real World Context
Through the Real-World Context module, you will undertake a placement or residency in a relevant workplace to gain new experiences and test out developing ideas and activities. The creative and cultural industries embrace a range of professional subjects. Given the transversality of these industries, it is important for you to have sufficient knowledge about the sector and its wider contexts, enabling you to identify and acquire professional skills within and across relevant sub-sectors. It is also important to enable you to understand and have experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment and an international context.
Exploring Theory and Practice
This module deals with the theoretical and practical issues faced by practitioners in the context of art and the creative and cultural industries. The module supports you in developing new ideas through research and practice and through an appraisal of the context in which they operate. Particular emphasis is placed on contexts that emerge from international perspectives and from contemporary debates around creativity.
Definitive Practice
The aims of the major project are to offer you the opportunity to critically engage in a major project in which the emphasis will be on defining and analysing through action research, and developing a constructive practical response to a line of inquiry or research question while formulating your own resolutions or conclusions from your body of work. The culmination of this module is an exhibition or other form of public exposition. During the major project you are provided with a supporting supervisor, in developing concerns and practice-drivers accrued throughout the chosen programme of study, via a programmed series of tutorials. Individual tutorials and peer interaction/group discussions are integral to the development of the major project.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Be a part of a creative, supportive community
All our Art and Design courses are delivered by the Salford School of Arts, Media, and Creative Technology. We are a creative community with a focus on creating a collaborative environment where you can thrive and gain the skills needed to pursue your dreams.
Our Engagement Team coordinates school-wide events such as the Create Student Awards, academic conferences, networking and volunteering opportunities, welcoming and wellbeing fairs and exhibitions like our annual Degree Show.
For non-course matters, you will have access to our university-wide support service askUS, who will support and guide you to be successful in all aspects of your life.
Throughout your time at Salford, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond, meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it.
Art and design facilities
This MA in Socially Engaged Arts Practice is based at our £55 million New Adelphi building, the home of design and creativity on campus.
When you study with us, you’ll learn from our experienced tutors and demonstrators, who’ll teach you how to use our art and design facilities. These include:
- Studio space – dedicated areas for each course, giving you room to think and create.
- MakerSpace workshop - create digital rapid prototypes using 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters and more.
- Photography studios - industry-standard photographic studios, which you can use in conjunction with darkrooms and digital printing facilities.
- Workshops – from print to textiles, wood to metal, our range of workshops allow you to take your ideas from page to reality and work in a variety of media.
- Mac suites - equipped with the industry-standard software you’ll need during your studies and in the world of work.
Explore our Art and Design facilities at New Adelphi or take a 360 tour.
What about after uni?
Employment
Upon graduating from this socially engaged art master’s programme, you may choose to pursue a variety of career paths. For example, you could become a freelance artist, working in galleries, prisons, youth centres, hospitals, and schools.
Alternatively, you may take the knowledge you’ve gained and go into teaching, through a variety of formal and non-formal workshop or residency settings. This could take place in primary and secondary schools, further and higher education, prison education, youth clubs, or residential and care homes, to name a few.
As well as that, you will also have a lot of options available from a wider perspective, thanks to the transferrable skills gained during your studies. Being able to research, develop and present ideas to a professional level is a skillset valued by many employers.
Additionally, you may decide to continue your practice-based and driven research, supported via MPhil/PhD courses, at the University of Salford.
Further study
Graduates showing strong academic and research skills can pursue a further academic research path through our doctoral (PhD) programmes on a full-time or part-time basis subject to a satisfactory proposal.
Career Links
Our MA Art and Design programmes have great working relationships key cultural organisations within the North-west. These include the Center for Chinese Contemporary Art, Hotbed Press, Turnpike Gallery, Islington Mill, Castlefield Gallery, International 3, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Artworks, Mark Devereux Projects, Textbook Studios, Dr Me, Magma Books and HOME. Talks are also in process with community organisations in Salford and the North-west, including Pendleton Together and The Children's Society and The Seashell Trust, which will provide opportunities for students to work with and respond to local communities and initiatives.
The range of opportunities for students spans from residencies and internships, to live projects and design briefs, to external mentoring and professional talks.
What you need to know
Applicant profile
To gain a place on this MA Socially Engaged Arts Practice course, you’ll have to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements when you apply.
Within your MA Socially Engaged Arts Practice personal statement (up to 500 words), we’ll want to understand:
- What motivates you and what current experiences do you have in terms of art and design and community/socially engaged arts practice?
- How have you been involved and what did you do?
- Do you have any knowledge in the arts sector; are there any projects that inspire you?
- What are your future goals; is it to work in the arts sector, for example?
- Why is the University of Salford and this postgraduate degree the right choice for your future goals?
For some applicants, you’ll be asked to provide us with a portfolio of work. This portfolio will be documentation of any relevant visual materials/projects completed within the last 10 years, including community or project partner testimony.
Once you’ve made your application to study with us, we’ll contact you and let you know the next steps.
Standard entry requirements
To join this MA you should have a second class honours degree, 2:2 or above.
Applicants are required to present a portfolio (or equivalent) at interview. Applicants are also asked to provide a short statement describing their practice to date and motivations for study.
International students
If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5. We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100.00per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,000.00per year |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.