Strategy and Sustainability within Cultural Organisations (no assessment)
This short course will support students to critically reflect on economic, social, and environmental sustainability in the arts and cultural sectors and develop strategic knowledge, skills and competencies to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Why should you study a short course in Strategy and Sustainability Within Cultural Organisations at QMU?
- You’ll be studying these topics alongside postgraduate students in our MA Arts, Festival and Cultural Management, one of the UK’s flagship arts management courses with a high quality of teaching honed over more than a decade of delivery.
- Our academic environment fosters lively discussion and lateral thinking about the practicalities, challenges and opportunities of strategy and sustainability in the arts and cultural sector.
- Access to academic staff specialists as well as QMU's library and other learning resource facilities.
This course is for those working, or who wish to build a career, in the arts and cultural sector. Whether you are looking to build completely new skills and knowledge or to deepen your existing practice, this course will support students to expand their strategic knowledge, thinking, and practices about sustainability issues.
What will I learn on the course?
The course explores sustainability issues within the arts and cultural sector in the face of global environmental, economic, and social change. It aims to support students to expand their strategic knowledge, thinking, and practices about sustainability issues.
By the end of the course what will I be able to do?
On completion of the course, you’ll be able to:
- appraise the principles and practices of sustainable development;
- generate and evaluate different strategic approaches to sustainability and assess their likely impacts for arts and cultural organisations;
- use assessment tools and problem-solving frameworks to identify sustainability challenges and opportunities and design effective strategies to address them;
- critically assess and analyse strategic sustainable development issues within the arts and cultural sectors; and
- analyse an arts and cultural organisations strategic/sustainability plan and/or conduct a Sustainability Impact Assessment for a chosen cultural organisation.
How is the course delivered?
Starting on Friday 18th September 2026, the course runs for 10 weeks in four teaching blocks with four full learning days (10am-4pm) at QMU's campus in Musselburgh on Fridays 18th September, 9th October, 30th October and 20th November 2026.
How long does the course last for and how much time will I need to spend on it each week?
The course lasts for a full semester from September to December. It is taught in four blocks of in-person teaching days during the semester. Students are encouraged to undertake around 10-15 hours of individual study per week also.
Does the course have an assessment and if so what sort of assessment will it be?
There is no assessment.
Who will be teaching me?
The course is delivered by Programme Leader Alice McGrath.
Alice is an experience arts manager, with a specific interest in strategic change, organisation development, fair work and sustainability. She is an experienced trainer whose academic teaching is enriched by her own professional expertise from careers in the arts and cultural sector.
Visiting speakers, with specialism in the subject may also be invited to contribute to in-person teaching days.
Student support/access to facilities
For the duration of your course you will be able to make use of our on-campus learning resource centre as well as access to our full range of online resources, including e-books and academic journals.
You will also have limited, mainly online access, to Student Services support. Students with particular support requirements can contact the Disability Service.
As you will be studying with us for less than a full academic year you will not be provided with a personal academic tutor (PAT). However, any queries regarding your studies should be directed to the staff member leading the delivery of your course.
Entry requirements
An undergraduate degree or relevant professional experience.
To qualify for a funded place, applicants must also meet the criteria below:
- self-employed and working within the creative and cultural industries OR employed by a Scottish arts or cultural organisation
- resident in Scotland
- is able to attend all course dates
- is not currently studying for a degree or post graduate qualification
You must be available to attend 4 full days at QMU’s Musselburgh campus, 18th September, 9th October, 30th October and 20th November 2026.
Applicants must use the Personal Statement to describe how they meet these entry requirements and confirm their availability on the four dates.
There are 8 funded places available, which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Application Deadline: 18th September 2026
English language requirements
This course is taught and assessed in English. Applicants do not need to provide proof of their English Language skills when applying for this course, but all applicants should consider whether they have sufficient English competence to study at this level. Applicants for this level of study would usually be able to demonstrate a level of English equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component score below 6.0
Fees: For more information on fees, visit the Short Courses and CPD Tuition Fees page
Application: Apply now
Application deadline: Currently open. Funded places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
18 September 2026
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