Creative masters and research programmes

Study a range of creative masters and research programmes online, on a full-time or part-time basis, including: 

MA Art and Social Practice, MA Contemporary Art and Archaeology, MA Music and the Environment, Master by Research (MRes) Creative Practice, PhD in Creative Practice

Find out more at our “Discover more about UHI's Postgraduate and Research Creative programmes” online events: RSVP to our online information sessions here: March 25, 11am–12:15pm / May 7, 2–3:15pm 

UHI boasts:
–Best in Scotland and 15th in the UK for postgraduate study
–100 percent student satisfaction for MA Contemporary Art and Archaeology*

–100 percent student satisfaction for MA Music and the Environment*
–75 percent research world leading or internationally excellent by REF2021

*2024 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)

Master of Arts (MA) Art and Social Practice
This course enables you to develop an appropriate level of knowledge and research to inform your work across a diverse range of eco-social and creative contexts together with the reflective and critical processes required to effectively deliver work in the public domain.

The course is taught by an inter-disciplinary team of specialists from social anthropology and social art practices, who work across local, national, and international contexts, from urban centres to remote and small communities.

Watch our MA Art and Social Practice Degree Showreel  and hear from UHI’s lecturers’ podcast. Contact: roxane.permar@uhi.ac.uk.

Master of Arts (MA) Contemporary Art and Archaeology 
As the only course of its kind to link contemporary art practice and theory with archaeological study, this MA provides creative and interdisciplinary approaches to the scholarly study of material and visual culture, arts, and heritage. Students are encouraged to take a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to research-led creative practice, informed by critical engagements with archaeology, and become a uniquely interdisciplinary Art and Archaeology practitioner. Contact: antonia.thomas@uhi.ac.uk.

Master of Art (MA) Music and the Environment   
Creative artists make a significant contribution to the sustainability of the creative economy, particularly in rural communities. The MA Music and the Environment provides a foundation for musicians to develop new paths for creative, entrepreneurial, and environmentally responsible endeavours. In addition, the course equips musicians to work within their own community, establishing effective and successful contributions to their local economy.

The programme offers the opportunity to work on real-life work scenarios to develop new works, performances, and enterprises in local settings across the Highlands and Islands. Visit our YouTube playlist / Contact: simon.bradley@uhi.ac.uk.

Master by Research (MRes) Creative Practice
This programme delivered through UHI’s Centre for Island Creativity, based in Shetland, builds on postgraduate study and is tailored to the needs of creative practitioners wishing to develop key aspects of their practice in a research-driven, academic context. Interests may involve art and design; composition and performance in music; film and digital media developments in creativity and new creative directions including the development of professional creative events and installations. Contact: Andrew.jennings@uhi.ac.uk.

PhD in Creative Practice
The PhD in Creative Practice is tailored to the needs of a student wishing to undertake a more substantial piece of research. It is designed to build on their existing practice in the creative subjects, and it is not a pre-requisite to have completed a postgraduate qualification for entry. This provides a route to a practice-based PhD for creative practitioners who have undertaken a large range of honours degree subjects within the creative industries.

The PhD Creative Practice is delivered online allowing them to work wherever best suits their research and practice or domestic responsibilities. Contact: Malcolm.Innes@uhi.ac.uk.

How to apply: To apply for a postgraduate qualification, select your chosen course and on the course web page visit the “Apply” tab. For MRes and PhD study please contact the relevant contact above.

Remember to RSVP to our online information sessions here: March 25, 11am–12:15pm / May 7, 2–3:15pm

UHI: Where learning means more / Email: info@uhi.ac.uk / T +44 (0)1463 279190. UHI, UHI House, Old Perth Road Inverness, IV2 3JH, Scotland