Introducing MA in Arts, Culture and the Environment — The University of Manchester

Discover a Masters course that combines the study of the environment with methodologies from the arts and exploring the role of culture in shaping attitudes as well as responses to environmental change

Why was the MA Arts, Culture and the Environment introduced?

The course was introduced in response to a world where environmental issues are more prevalent than ever, and solutions to those issues are more important than ever before. The university's provision across the range of arts and cultures subjects ensures that students are well placed to address the humanistic questions brought to the fore by the climate crisis, through an arts research and cultural lens.

Tell us what makes this course unique

This course is unique in the breadth and depth of academic expertise available to students. Academics from across the spectrum of arts and cultures disciplines, representing some of the leading academic thought in their fields, make up the teaching faculty. Through this interdisciplinary course, students will engage with both critical ecologies and creative ecologies.

This is complemented by access to some of the country's most vital cultural institutions, such as the Whitworth Art Gallery - home to masterpieces by Van Gogh, Blake and Picasso. In addition, the European Museum of the Year 2025, Manchester Museum, host practical elements of this course. Learning in and around these culturally significant institutions provides students with access to resources and experiences unavailable anywhere else but Manchester.

Where can the course lead?

The course develops informed, culturally aware, and responsible graduates. It fosters the ability to collaborate effectively, whether on a local or wider organisational scale, while encouraging students to engage both critically and creatively.

These skills, when combined with the explicit focus on the environment, and its crossover with modern and historical arts and culture leads to a variety of paths. For example, following this course you could work in:

• conservation and heritage
• corporate social responsibility
• creative industries
• eco-tourism
• environmental charities/NGOs
• journalism
• politics.

In addition, the opportunity to progress your academic and independent research skills will place you in a strong position to explore postgraduate research opportunities.

What types of students would suit this course?

This course is well-suited to students with an interest in environmental issues. Whether your background is in the arts or the sciences, it will broaden your perspective and deepen your knowledge base.

Teaching on this course emphasises participation, engagement, and practice-based learning. Core units combine critical and creative approaches to exploring the intersection of arts, culture, and the environment. Classes include:

• field trips
• group work
• practical workshops
• theoretical discussions.

As such, the course is well-suited to students who want to incorporate practical and innovative methods of learning alongside traditional research.

Can you tell us about the student enrichment on offer?

The University of Manchester offers a range of student enrichment opportunities, with something for everyone. As a student on this course, you'll have full membership of the Students' Union, home to over 400 societies and a variety of initiatives to get involved in and benefit from. The university also supports your future beyond the course, with access to a dedicated careers service available throughout your studies and after graduation, offering tailored advice and guidance.

What advice do you have for anyone considering studying the course?

Approach it with an open mind, while also having a sense of what you hope to gain from the experience. The course provides a strong foundation of knowledge across a range of subjects, all explored through the lens of the environment. It can also be tailored to your individual goals, allowing you to shape your research in a way that suits your interests with the guidance of some of the country's leading academics.

Find out more

• Take a look at MA Arts, Culture and the Environment at The University of Manchester.
• Read about the environment sector.