Master of Arts in International Creative Enterprise, Edge Hill University

Description

Edge Hill University (Edge Hill), a dynamic public university in Lancashire, North West England, is renowned for its innovative approach to creative industries, education, and health sciences, blending academic rigor with real-world application. Founded in 1885 as Edge Hill College—a pioneering institution for women’s teacher training—it achieved full university status in 2006 and now serves over 13,500 students from 100+ countries across its single-campus site in Ormskirk, near Liverpool and Manchester. Ranked 90th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2026) and top 20 for student satisfaction in the North West (National Student Survey 2024), Edge Hill’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences excels in creative enterprise, with 65% of its research rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021). The Master of Arts (MA) in International Creative Enterprise is a forward-thinking postgraduate program offered through the Department of English and Creative Arts, designed to empower aspiring cultural leaders to navigate global creative economies. This one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) qualification (180 UK credits at Level 7) culminates in a prestigious Edge Hill degree certificate or diploma with classification (Distinction: 70%+), fostering skills in cultural strategy, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration for careers in theatre, film, publishing, and arts management, with 94.4% of taught master’s graduates in work or further study within 15 months (Graduate Outcomes 2020/21).

A Legacy of Creative and Cultural Innovation

Edge Hill’s creative programs trace back to its origins in arts education, evolving into a hub for interdisciplinary research through the Institute for Creative Enterprise (ICE)—a practice-led forum connecting the university with the digital creative economy and cultural organizations. The MA International Creative Enterprise, launched to address the £100B+ UK creative sector’s need for globally minded professionals, draws on faculty expertise in media, performing arts, and cultural policy, with collaborations like the Lonely Arts Club podcast series interviewing industry leaders from film directors to curators. Ranked top 50 in the UK for English and Creative Writing (Guardian University Guide 2025), the program emphasizes decolonial and sustainable perspectives, preparing students for a world where creative industries drive 5% of global GDP. Alumni contribute to festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe and organizations such as the Crafts Council, embodying Edge Hill’s ethos of “creating opportunity from everyday.”

Diverse Degree Programs and Diplomas

Edge Hill’s creative postgraduate portfolio prioritizes practical immersion, with the MA International Creative Enterprise comprising core modules, electives, and a dissertation. Delivered through seminars, workshops, and field trips at the Ormskirk campus (with access to The Arts Centre’s theatres and studios), it includes an international field trip to a European city for hands-on cultural projects, leading to a classified diploma. Key highlights include:

• Core Structure (MA International Creative Enterprise): Semester 1 covers Creative Enterprise in Theory and Practice (cultural policy, entrepreneurship models), International Perspectives on Culture and Creativity (global arts ecosystems), and Research Methods (qualitative/quantitative tools for cultural analysis); Semester 2 advances to Cultural Leadership and Management and a 15,000-word Dissertation on topics like digital curation or sustainable festivals. Compulsory elements include ethical enterprise, portfolio development, and collaborative projects (e.g., with Liverpool’s cultural sector), with assessments via essays (40%), practical submissions (30%), and the dissertation (30%). The international field trip (e.g., to Amsterdam or Berlin) immerses students in local creative hubs.
• Admission Requirements: A 2:1 undergraduate honors degree (or equivalent, e.g., US GPA 3.3) in arts, humanities, social sciences, or a related field; professional experience considered for 2:2 holders. English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall, no subscore below 6.0). Applications via Edge Hill’s portal include a personal statement and references; deadline for September 2026 entry is July 2026. Up to 20 places annually, with interviews for shortlisted candidates.
• Variants and Pathways: MA Creative Enterprise (UK-focused alternative); progression to PhD in Creative Industries; or related MAs in Performing Arts or Film Production. Shorter Postgraduate Certificates (60 credits) in Cultural Management provide entry points, stackable toward the full MA. Dual study with partners like the University of Liverpool enhances networks.

Fees for 2025/26: £9,250 (UK full-time); £16,500 (international), with scholarships up to £2,000 for high achievers or alumni.

Why Pursue an MA in International Creative Enterprise at Edge Hill University?

Enrolling in the Edge Hill MA International Creative Enterprise immerses you in a collaborative creative community on a supportive campus, with small seminars (average 15 students) and access to facilities like the £5M+ Creative Edge building for media production. The program’s global orientation—acclaimed for its “ambitious, industry-connected” structure (NSS 2024)—builds practical skills through field trips and ICE partnerships, leading to roles like cultural producer (£30,000–£40,000 starting salaries) at organizations such as the British Council or Manchester International Festival. Edge Hill’s top-50 UK ranking for graduate prospects in Arts (Guardian 2025) and 94.4% employability ensure strong outcomes, while affordable fees, the Student Opportunity Fund (£2,000 for career activities), and proximity to Liverpool’s cultural scene enhance accessibility.

In summary, the Edge Hill University Master of Arts in International Creative Enterprise is an empowering degree certificate that champions cultural innovation on a global stage. For visionary makers and entrepreneurs, Edge Hill’s MA unlocks ambitious projects and lasting impact. Explore programs at edgehill.ac.uk to embark on your creative enterprise journey.