Direct answer
Goldsmiths, University of London sets the following entry requirements for the MA Creative & Cultural Entrepreneurship for 2026/27 entry. You need an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant subject, or relevant experience if your degree is in an unrelated field. You must also have a business idea or existing business. If English is not your first language, you need an IELTS score of 6.5 with 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0. Your application must include a personal statement, academic documents, a referee contact, and a one-paragraph elevator pitch for your entrepreneurial idea.
The official programme page lists four named pathways: Fashion, Fashion Management, Media & Communications, and Music. A distinct “Social Innovation Pathway” is not listed on the current official page. The page also does not publish country-specific academic equivalences for Chinese qualifications; it directs applicants to a separate international qualifications page for that information.
Programme structure and pathways
The MA Creative & Cultural Entrepreneurship runs for 15 months full-time or 27 months part-time. It is taught in partnership with subject areas across Goldsmiths and with individuals and organisations in the creative and cultural industries sector. The programme integrates entrepreneurship within the development of creative practices and takes a creative approach to building new businesses and the infrastructure that supports them.
All students bring a business idea to use as a live case study. The programme contains taught modules and a dissertation or portfolio component. Attendance is mandatory for all taught sessions. To encourage collaborative learning, the programme teaches all students together wherever possible, irrespective of their particular pathway.
The official page lists four specific pathways:
- Fashion
- Fashion Management
- Media & Communications
- Music
You must specify your preferred pathway when you apply. The page does not currently list a Social Innovation Pathway as a named option.
Academic entry requirements
You should have, or expect to be awarded, an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant or related subject. The official page notes that there may also be pathway-specific entry requirements, though these are not detailed on the main programme page.
If you are not a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, you might still be considered if you have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.
You should have an idea for a business, or already be self-employed or have your own business. This is a core requirement for all applicants.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0. Goldsmiths also accepts equivalent English language qualifications. If you need help with your English, the university offers a range of courses that can prepare you for postgraduate-level study.
International qualifications and Chinese applicants
Goldsmiths states that it accepts a wide range of international qualifications. The programme page directs applicants to a separate page covering qualifications accepted from around the world. The official international students page also provides country-specific information, including entry requirements, fees, and scholarships.
China is listed among the countries on the international page, but the specific academic equivalences for Chinese qualifications are not published on the MA programme page itself. You must consult the country-specific information and the international qualifications page to determine how your Chinese degree maps to the second class standard requirement. This is a live recheck item: the exact equivalence for a Chinese bachelor’s degree is held on a separate official page, not on the programme entry requirements page.
How to apply and required documents
You apply directly to Goldsmiths using the online application system. When applying, you must specify your preferred pathway from the four listed options.
You must demonstrate in your written application and at interview that you have the capacity and capability for, and an understanding of, creative and cultural entrepreneurship, and that you can meet the intellectual demands of the programme.
To complete your application, you need:
- Details of your academic qualifications
- The email address of your referee, or a copy of your academic reference
- Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
- A personal statement
- A one-paragraph elevator pitch for an entrepreneurial business idea that you plan to develop through the course. This is not a business plan. You can submit the elevator pitch as a document or as audio or video. There is a file size limit of 20MB, but you can provide a link to audio or video hosted online.
Selection process and deadlines
Admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally, candidates receive an offer based on their application and qualifications alone.
For both September and January starts, Goldsmiths encourages you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you have not finished your current programme of study. It is common to receive a conditional offer. Late applications are only considered if spaces remain. If you are applying for funding, you may face an earlier application deadline.
Fees for 2026/27
Annual tuition fees for students starting in the 2026/2027 academic year are:
- Home full-time: £14,300
- Home part-time: £7,150
- International full-time: £27,500
It is not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time on another visa type, you should contact the Admissions Team for more information.
In addition to tuition fees, you are responsible for additional costs such as stationery and photocopying. There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme, such as field trips or specialist materials. The programme specification provides more detail.
What the official page does not confirm
The official MA programme page does not publish a named Social Innovation Pathway. It lists Fashion, Fashion Management, Media & Communications, and Music as the available pathways. If you are specifically interested in social innovation, you should contact the programme convenors, Rachel Doern or Nicola Searle, to ask whether social innovation content is embedded within the existing pathways or available through module choices.
The page also does not provide country-specific academic equivalences. For Chinese applicants, the exact qualification level required is held on a separate international qualifications page. This is a live recheck item that requires consulting the country-specific information directly.
FAQ
What is the minimum degree classification required?
You need an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant or related subject. If your degree is in an unrelated field, you may still be considered if you have relevant experience and can demonstrate the ability to work at postgraduate level.
Do I need a business idea before I apply?
Yes. You should have an idea for a business, or already be self-employed or have your own business. You must submit a one-paragraph elevator pitch for your entrepreneurial idea as part of your application.
What IELTS score do I need?
You need an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0. Equivalent English language qualifications are also accepted.
Can international students study part-time?
It is not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you hold another visa type that might permit part-time study, you should contact the Admissions Team for guidance.
Is there a Social Innovation Pathway available?
The official programme page lists four pathways: Fashion, Fashion Management, Media & Communications, and Music. A Social Innovation Pathway is not listed. You should contact the programme convenors directly to clarify whether social innovation is available within the existing structure.
How do I find out what my Chinese qualification is equivalent to?
Goldsmiths provides country-specific information on its international pages, including entry requirements for China. The exact equivalence for Chinese qualifications is published on a separate page, not on the MA programme page. You should consult the qualifications accepted from around the world page and the China country page.
What are the tuition fees for international students?
International full-time tuition fees for 2026/27 entry are £27,500.