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MA Art and Social Practice

The University of the Highlands and Islands offers an MA in Art and Social Practice, a unique program that prepares students for careers in art practices that engage creatively with communities. This interdisciplinary program is taught by a team of artists and specialists in social anthropology, collaborative art, and sculpture.

This online taught masters programme would suit both home and international students who do not wish to take on the cost and disruption of travelling or relocating to conduct their studies.

This well established and ground-breaking program addresses the changing needs of 21st century artists, facilitating a shift in thinking about where art practices are located and how work is disseminated. Graduates will develop the knowledge, research skills, critical and analytical processes, and technical abilities required to effectively deliver projects in the public domain.

What sets this program apart is its interdisciplinary approach taught by a highly experienced team of artists, anthropologists, and specialists working across diverse local, national, and international contexts. Students have the opportunity to meet leading figures in the field through the annual Virtual Symposium, visiting lecturers, and guest speakers. Students also have the option to attend the annual Winter School held in a mainland location in Scotland. In the final stage, students are mentored by leading exponents of social art practice from the UK and internationally.

The program welcomes applicants with a 2:1 honours degree in relevant fields like art, design, cultural studies, community development, arts administration, or management. Those with other qualifications and experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered individually. Scotland-domiciled students may be eligible for tuition fee and living cost loans from SAAS. The program welcomes applications from all prospective students and operates a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination.

This flexible MA program can be taken full-time over 2 years, part-time structured over a minimum of 3 years, or part-time unstructured up to a maximum of 6 years. The programme is delivered through supported online learning and students can study from anywhere while being enrolled at the Centre for Island Creativity in Shetland.

After graduating, students will be well-equipped to work freelance, start a social enterprise, or seek employment in settings like arts centres, community development, healthcare, museums, the prison service, and more. You'll have the skills to develop and facilitate participatory arts projects for local authorities, nonprofits, and other organisations, working with groups across ages and backgrounds. The degree also prepares you for further research at the MRes, PhD, or other levels exploring art and social practice.

Further information on the course page or contact programme leader Roxane Permar.

MA Creative Textiles

NOTE: this new programme is currently undergoing approval and details are subject to change. The programme is scheduled to start in January 2025.

The MA Creative Textiles program is a taught post graduate programme delivered at UHI Shetland which aims to provide students with a high-quality educational experience that leverages Shetland's rich textile heritage and industry. The programme draws on the expertise of the teaching team, the unique textile heritage of Shetland and our connections to textile design and manufacture in other parts of the UK and internationally.

The program offers a hybrid delivery model that combines online learning with intensive in-person practical workshop periods. This flexible model allows both local and international students to participate without the expense of permanently relocating during the course.

Key features of the program include:

• Modules that enable students to position their textile practice in relation to craft, design, art, heritage, and place, as well as develop critical analysis and technical skills.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and exploration, such as working with other artists, designers, and researchers in related fields.
• Opportunities for students to participate in professional conferences, attend lectures and seminars on cultural heritage, and learn best practices through workshops and external events.
• Preparation for students to navigate the networks and challenges of the textile industry, including applying to prestigious competitions and trade shows.
• Alongside our specialist subject modules, the programme includes established online creative practice modules that have been successfully used in other UHI programs, providing students with a robust digital platform for learning and engagement.
• The program fosters an inclusive and supportive learning environment, where students are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and push the boundaries of their textile practice to develop their own unique artistic voice and vision.
• The programme aligns with the university's Learning and Teaching Enhancement Strategy by promoting student-centred, flexible, and digitally-enriched learning.
• The MA Creative Textiles program is designed to foster creativity and critical thinking in the field of textiles, exploring the connections between art, craft, technology and sustainability.
• The culmination of the program is a final exhibition or publication where students showcase their creative textiles work to a wider audience to increase their national and international visibility and to kick start the next stage of their careers.

If you are interested in learning more about this course, please contact programme leader Sarah Dearlove.

MRes Creative Practice

The MRes Creative Practice is a Masters of Research degree programme at the University of the Highlands and Islands. This innovative programme offers a unique opportunity for creative practitioners to advance their practice through research. Designed for graduates and professionals in the arts and creative industries, this programme enables students to focus on a particular aspect of their creative practice and undertake critical inquiry under the supervision of specialist staff and mentors.

The programme emphasises a student-centred approach, embracing active participation and self-directed study. Students will develop key aspects of their practice in a research-driven, academic context, with the opportunity to engage with a thriving research-rich, multi-disciplinary community of practice. The programme's flexible delivery model, utilising digital technologies and virtual learning environments, makes it an attractive option for researchers working from remote locations.

Upon completion, graduates will possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities to plan and execute a significant and original research project in creative practice, demonstrating a well-developed capacity for self-directed study and an enhanced awareness of how their creative practice can influence cultural, societal, and economic change.

The MRes Creative Practice would suit graduates of art, design, writing, film, performance and other creative subjects who are looking to undertake a detailed piece of practice based research. The programme is one year full time or two years part time. There are no set start dates and each new proposal will be treated as a unique personal research project. However, students will have the opportunity to join the active UHI research student community for mutual support and knowledge sharing.

Students who begin studying on the MRes Creative Practice may wish to expand their research further and there are established routes for current students to apply to transfer to the PhD Creative Practice programme. Any transfer would be subject to approval from the university Research Degrees Committee but would normally be deemed to be a transfer into the second year of a PhD programme.

If you are interested in applying for the MRes Creative Practice, please refer to the university guidance. If you would like to discuss a potential application to explore how your research interests and creative practice can be combined, please contact course leader Andrew Jennings.

PhD Creative Practice

Built on the basis of our successful MRes programme, the PhD Creative Practice is a unique doctoral programme designed for creative practitioners who wish to develop their practice through rigorous research. Unlike traditional PhD programmes, the PhD Creative Practice allows students to submit a portfolio of creative work, accompanied by a critical written component, as the primary output of their research.

Students have the opportunity to explore research questions through their creative practice, which may include visual art, film, music, performance, writing, or other artistic mediums. The programme is delivered remotely online, allowing students to work from their own studios or workspaces, with support from a dedicated academic supervisory team and, in addition, access to a mentor to support specific aspects of their professional practice.

The PhD Creative Practice emphasises the integration of theory and practice, enabling students to situate their creative work within relevant historical, critical, and contextual frameworks. Graduates will demonstrate advanced skills in research methodologies, self-directed study, and the ability to influence cultural, societal, and economic change through their practice.

Whether you are a mid-career artist, a recent graduate, or an established creative professional seeking to deepen your practice, the PhD Creative Practice offers a flexible and innovative path to the highest level of academic achievement in the creative arts.

If you are interested in applying for the PhD Creative Practice, please refer to the university guidance. If you would like to discuss a potential application to explore how your research interests and creative practice can be combined, please contact Malcolm Innes or Andrew Jennings.