Masters by Research in Creative Arts - MRes *

The course includes several targeted elements to enhance your employability in the creative and cultural sectors:

• Skills and knowledge audit. At the start of the programme, a creative skills and knowledge audit helps you identify your strengths and areas for development, allowing for personalised support that aligns with professional opportunities in the arts.
• Industry engagement opportunities. Through researcher and artist talks, industry panels and workshops, you'll engage with practitioners, curators, producers, and arts organisations – building networks and gaining valuable insight into creative careers.
• Training in research methods. You will develop confidence in essential research methods and tools which are widely used in arts research, media production, and cultural project delivery.
• Real-world application of creative research. The course emphasises the use of research and practice-based inquiry to explore and address contemporary issues in the arts, enhancing your ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and deliver meaningful cultural work.
• Reflective practice. Embedded throughout your studies, reflective practice supports the development of your creative voice and professional identity, encouraging ongoing self-evaluation and adaptability, key traits in the dynamic and evolving creative industries.

Graduate jobs

Graduates of the MRes Creative Arts can work across a range of sectors that require research skills and critical thinking. The course can also be a key development point for your own creative practice while also being suitable for those planning to continue to further study on a PhD.

Links to industry

The university maintains extensive connections within the creative sector, establishing links across the region, nationally, and internationally. This network offers significant practical advantages for students. Regionally, partnerships with organisations such as the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Ikon Gallery, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), the Hippodrome, and the Library of Birmingham allow students to engage directly with local creative communities. This provides first-hand experience within the arts and culture scene here in Birmingham.

On a national level, our collaborations with established institutions like Arts Council England and the Tate galleries broaden exposure to the wider UK arts landscape. These links help students understand the broader context and opportunities within the creative industries nationwide.

Furthermore, our researchers frequently collaborate with the creative sector on research projects. We have worked closely with Birmingham-based groups including Sampad, Vivid Arts, and the GAP Arts Project. Nationally, our partners include the Crafts Council, the British Library, and the British Film Institute. Internationally, we collaborate with organisations such as Meedan in the USA, the Women in Cinema Collective in India, and the Schwules Museum in Germany. These diverse partnerships highlight the university's active involvement and collaborative efforts across the creative world.