(Part time) 2021 start
Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy PGCert

Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
Specially designed for arts fundraising and philanthropy professionals, this responsive course will give you a deeper understanding of your professional practice and its place within the arts and cultural sector. You'll explore topics such as the history of philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, change and crisis management, how to build resilience, and how to instil values into fundraising and development activity.
This course is led and coordinated by academic staff with significant industry experience, who are assisted by expert freelance tutors and senior arts consultants. Throughout, you'll reflect critically on your work-based learning and learn how to apply relevant theories to your everyday professional practice.
Arts Fundraising and Leadership Intensive
In order to study on this course, you must be available to complete our Arts Fundraising and Leadership Intensive session – a concentrated period of online study and practical activity that provides further opportunities for strategic thinking and planning. Arts Fundraising and Leadership Intensive is held in partnership with Cause4 as part of its Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy Programme. It can also be attended independently of the PG Cert. Find out more about Arts Fundraising and Leadership Intensive.
In 2021 the Arts Fundraising and Leadership Intensive session will run as live (synchronous) online sessions over the weekend of 5th-6th June, with a follow-up Thought Leadership event in Leeds in the autumn at which you will meet academic staff and other attendees. These sessions will form the basis for the Arts Fundraising and Leadership module – the first element of the PG Cert. They will be supported with additional learning materials accessible through our forthcoming MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) for Senior Cultural Leaders from July.
The Professional Practice module involves a process of structured reflection on your own practice in the workplace between June and December. Applicants should therefore expect to be actively working in the cultural sector over this period (in employed, freelance or governance roles).
Course content
This course explores the history of arts and cultural philanthropy. It investigates underlying cultural policy models and debates, and situates arts fundraising within the broader fields of arts marketing and cultural management, whilst exploring the relative utility of strategic management tools, models and principles for leading contemporary arts organisations.
The course critically applies relevant concepts and theories pertaining to cultural entrepreneurship, change management and cultural leadership, and explores the challenges of implementing these ideas in evolving practices of arts fundraising.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Arts Fundraising and Leadership 30 credits
- Professional Practice: Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy 30 credits
Learning and teaching
The course begins with attendance at Arts Fundraising and Leadership Intensive and is then delivered through dedicated webinars and online tutorials, as well as individual online supervision. You will connect your learning to your professional practice via a reflective process in the workplace supported by mentoring. Learners will also meet in person at an Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy Thought Leadership event in Leeds during the autumn to share experiences, present coursework and encounter the latest ideas in the field alongside academic staff. This event is the concluding part of the Arts Fundraising and Leadership Intensive.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment takes place via an individual presentation and essay (for module 1) and an extended reflective work-based learning report (for module 2).
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in an arts or cultural organisation. We may also consider applicants without a degree if you can demonstrate significant relevant industry experience (minimum of 5 years) in an arts or cultural organisation. Applicants must be actively working in the cultural sector during the period from June-December 2021 to make possible the reflection required in module 2.
You must be able to attend and complete the Arts Fundraising and Leadership Intensive as the first part of your study in order to continue onto the PG Cert. Find out more about Arts Fundraising and Leadership Intensive.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of Performance and Cultural Industries admissions team.
International
Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.
You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Admissions policy
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Postgraduate Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
- UK: £3,083 (total)
- International: £6,750 (total)
Please note that registration for the Arts Fundraising and Leadership Intensive is via Cause4 and is subject to a separate fee of £650. For details (including information about a limited number of bursary supported places) please visit the Cause4 website.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. Thats one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.