Creative Project Management

Master's
Author:
TÜ Viljandi kultuuriakadeemia

2 January

Application system opens

15 March

Application deadline

30 April

Admission results

2 September

Academic year starts
Level of study
Master's
Study language
English
Duration and credits
1 year , 60 ECTS
Form of study
Block mode study
Location
Viljandi, Online
Student places
12
Tuition fee
6000 euros
Tuition waivers
2 for all citizenships
  • Holistic approach: The programme takes a holistic approach to creative project management, with a curriculum that aligns seamlessly with a project's natural life cycle. Each subject and task is strategically integrated to support your final project.
  • Practical experience: Gain hands-on experience by managing actual creative projects and putting your skills to the test in real-world scenarios.
  • Flexibility: The one-year programme offers online modules, allowing you to complete half of the programme online while continuing your professional career.
  • Expert faculty and industry connections: Benefit from our faculty's expertise and industry connections, providing you with invaluable insights, networking opportunities, and potential mentorship from seasoned professionals.
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration: Experience the reality of creative project management through multidisciplinary and multicultural collaboration. Diverse skills and perspectives converge to ensure project success.

 

The one-year master's programme in Creative Project Management seamlessly integrates creativity and strategic management within the vibrant cultural and creative industries. The programme is meticulously designed to empower aspiring professionals with the skills and insights required to navigate the dynamic landscape of creative project management. At the core of the programme lies the student's project, with all curriculum elements, themes, and tasks thoughtfully designed to support the successful accomplishment of this project. 

Unlock your creative leadership potential.

The master's programme in Creative Project Management offers a unique opportunity to specialise in the dynamic field of creative project management. The creative industry demands a special blend of skills and attributes. The programme places a strong emphasis on developing your technical project management skills as well as nurturing your creativity, fostering independence, and honing your ability to adapt swiftly. The importance of collaboration in international project teams is also recognised, a skill deemed essential in the global creative landscape.

In the creative realm, project managers often wear multiple hats, including generating and developing creative project ideas alongside their technical responsibilities. The Creative Project Management master's programme is designed to transform you into a versatile team leader with the skills and vision to excel in multifunctional roles.

What will you learn?

In this programme, you can expect to develop specific expertise and competencies that are crucial in the world of creative project management.

Firstly, you will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to independently lead the implementation of creative projects, guiding them from their initial concepts to successful completion. This hands-on experience will prepare you to take charge of your projects effectively.

Moreover, you'll also learn how to establish and operate a creative company, a valuable skillset that includes a deep understanding of financial management principles. This knowledge will enable you to navigate the business side of the creative industry confidently.

In a globalised world, the ability to manage multicultural and virtual teams is invaluable. You will acquire the skills necessary to lead diverse teams of creative individuals, taking into consideration their unique characteristics and working effectively across borders and cultures.

Additionally, you will develop the capability to analyse culture, comprehend the role of the creative sector in society, and remain aware of emerging trends in the industry. This broader perspective will help you make informed decisions and stay ahead of industry developments.

Your competence will extend to evaluating and analysing project potential effectively while adapting to changes and challenges that may arise during your career. This adaptability is a critical skill in the ever-evolving creative landscape.

Finally, you will obtain various general-purpose skills, including effective oral and written communication, critical thinking, problem-solving techniques, responsibility, initiative, leadership, and teamwork skills. These foundational skills will serve you well in any career path you choose to pursue.

These learning outcomes are carefully designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic field of creative project management, setting you on a path towards a successful and fulfilling career.

Programme info session can be viewed here.

Programme highlights in video

You will be awarded a Master of Arts in Social Sciences (Creative Project Management) degree upon successful completion of the programme.


Course and module details

This programme structure is the latest one confirmed by the university. Next year's modules will be updated by 15 April. Significant changes to the programme will be announced in advance on this website. Check the Study Information System for the latest updates.

University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy

The University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, one of the university's three colleges, is located in Viljandi, the Cultural Capital of Estonia. The academy offers top-level education, knowledge of creative entrepreneurship, and the opportunity to participate in cultural projects and cooperate actively with the community.

As a promoter of creative entrepreneurship, the academy enables its students to start implementing creative projects during their studies. Numerous concerts, exhibitions, dance performances, fashion shows, cultural events and festivals emerge from interdisciplinary cooperation. Additionally, the academy's students contribute to organising several cultural events in the city, such as the Hanseatic Days, the Viljandi Folk Music Festival and the Guitar Festival, to name a few.

Viljandi Folk Music Festival

Half of the studies take place in Viljandi, the Cultural Capital of Estonia. Viljandi is an idyllic small town on a beautiful lakeside known for its long history and vibrant cultural scene. Viljandi is famous for its folk music festival that brings friends of folk music to town from all over the world. It is also home to an Estonian Traditional Music Center, the professional drama theatre Ugala, the Viljandi Puppet Theatre, the Kondas Centre of Arts, Craft Camp, the Creative Industries Centre of Viljandi County, and several galleries and craft shops. Viljandi belongs to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) since 2019 as a City of Crafts and Folk Art.

University of Tartu Culture Academy

Visit Viljandi and the academy virtually

Explore Viljandi, the University of Tartu Culture Academy, and the student dormitories through the university's virtual tour.

Upon successful completion of the master's programme in Creative Project Management, you will be well-prepared to embark on a promising career path. You will have the opportunity to:

  • Launch a creative venture: Turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality by launching your own creative company. Our programme will equip you with the insights and knowledge necessary to bring your innovative ideas to market with confidence.
  • Lead cultural projects: Develop expertise in managing a wide range of cultural projects, spanning public institutions, third-sector organisations, and the private sector. You will be fully prepared to assume leadership roles and make a meaningful impact in these diverse settings.

Join the programme and prepare to be a driving force in the creative world!
 

Admission requirements for Creative Project Management

  • required qualification: 

1) bachelor´s degree or equivalent qualification and at least 3 years of professional experience in the field of entrepreneurship, management or culture, or

2) master´s degree or equivalent qualification.

The degree must be obtained by the application deadline. For assessment of professional experience, you are required to upload your CV.

Please see our country-specific document requirements


NB! Citizens of the Russian Federation who, under the legislation of the Republic of Estonia, cannot apply for a long-stay visa or residence permit to study or do not have a valid legal basis to stay in the Republic of Estonia until the end of the curriculum’s standard period of study are not eligible to apply to the University of Tartu in the 2024/2025 academic year.

According to the current legislation, citizens of Belarus can apply for Estonian long-term visa or temporary residence permit for studies and are therefore eligible to apply to the University of Tartu.

Applications are evaluated based on

  • admission test (yields 100% of the final score)

The admissions test consists of two parts:

• A personal video introduction (30%), in English

• An online interview (70%), conducted in English

 

Video introduction structure

  • Introduce yourself: what is your educational and professional background?
  • Why do you wish to apply for the Creative Project Management master’s programme?
  • Have you managed any creative projects? If yes, then tell us more about the biggest lessons you learned from that. If you do not have any experience in managing a creative project, then tell us about a comparable experience.
  • What kind of a project would you like to realise during the study period (idea, target audience, impact and importance)? If you do not have an idea for a project, then tell us what sector and what types of projects you are interested in.
  • What do you wish to do with the experience and knowledge gained from this programme after graduation? o What are your expectations for the programme?

Video introduction requirements

  • Speak freely and directly in the video presentation (what matters is the content, not flawless technical execution).
  • Limit your video to no more than 5 minutes.
  • We ask that you upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo or Google Drive and share the link to the video in your application.
  • Please ensure that the link works before you submit your application.

Online interview discussion points

  • The applicant must be prepared to talk about the impact, challenges, planning, management and budgeting related to creative projects.
  • The applicant must be prepared to talk about the topics and positions they mention in their video introduction.

Information about the online interview
University of Tartu uses different video communication programs to conduct online interviews (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype). The admissions committee will notify you ahead of time about which software program will be used and when the interview will take place. Interviews will be scheduled between April 8-12, 2024.

The applicant needs the following for the online interview:

  • A computer or a smart device. The computer or smart device must have a (web) camera, a microphone (built-in or separate) and speakers. Use of headphones is also allowed. As the applicant must be visually identified during the interview, the use of a camera is mandatory, not recommended;
  • An internet connection with a speed of at least 1 Mb/s (upload/download) is recommended for the video call.

During the online interview: 

  • The applicant must have an identity document; 
  • The applicant must ensure that the room where they are conducting the interview in is free from other persons and background noise; 
  • The applicant must consider that they are not allowed to record the interview.

Evaluation

During the admissions test, applicants will be evaluated on:

  • The sufficiency of their prior academic preparation and work experience;
  • Their ability to discuss topics related to the sector and specialty;
  • Their ability to express themselves academically in a foreign language;
  • Their motivation to commence studies.

Only those applicants who score 66 points or higher (out of 100) for the admissions test will be considered for admission.

For further information on assessing candidates´ academic performance and calculating admissions´ score see here.

How to apply

 

The following information applies to international students and Estonian students who graduated abroad:

The application system opens on 2 January and closes on 15 March. The following documents must be submitted electronically via DreamApply by 15 March:

  1. online application
  2. motivation letter
  3. official certified copy of the bachelor's diploma or its equivalent and Diploma Supplement (transcript) in the original language (must include a description of the grading scale).
  4. official translation of the bachelor’s diploma and Diploma Supplement (transcript) into English, translation certified
  5. proof of English language proficiency
  6. copy of the passport page stating the applicant’s personal particulars
  7. confirmation/receipt of application fee payment (if applicable). All international applicants are required to pay the application fee EUR 100, unless they have completed the previous study level in Estonia. An application will only be processed after the fee has been received by the UT.


Submitted applications can not be edited. It is only possible to upload new documents (e.g. graduation certificates). Applicants will receive feedback and notifications through the DreamApply system to their e-mail. Incomplete applications or those submitted by e-mail will not be considered for admission.

Guide to submitting an electronic application on DreamApply.

NB: The University of Tartu has no official partnerships with agents or educational representatives. We strongly recommend applying directly to the university without the help of unauthorised third-party entities. Should you use such a service, please ensure that your application's contact information is your personal details (your e-mail, phone number, etc.).

The evaluation of applications will be made based on the electronic copies added to DreamApply. A general ranking list will be formed based on the electronically submitted applications and admission results (including offers) will be announced to all applicants personally via DreamApply by April 30 at the latest. Admitted candidates are expected to accept or decline the offer in DreamApply in 7 days. If the decision is not communicated to UT via DreamApply by the stipulated deadline, UT reserves the right to withdraw the admission offer.

NB! It is not possible to postpone the beginning of studies to the next academic year.

Terms and conditions of the admission offer

Admission offers are conditional. This means that there are conditions in the offer which the applicant needs to fulfil in order to be admitted (e.g. sending application documents by post; obtaining the required level of education). If the conditions are not met, UT has the right to withdraw the offer. Also, UT reserves the right to withdraw or amend any offer or revoke the matriculation of a student, if it becomes evident that the application contains fraudulent information, the qualification does not provide access to the chosen study programme or the student is found to have omitted key information from the application. Should such circumstances occur, UT will not be liable for any material or immaterial loss which the student may suffer as a result.

Once the admission results have been announced, all admitted students are required to send the application documents by post to: Student Admissions, University of Tartu, Ülikooli 18-133, Tartu 50090, ESTONIA.

The documents are expected to be mailed only by those receiving the admission offer (unless instructed otherwise by the admissions staff). The documents must reach the university within 3 weeks from the announcement of the offer. If the application documents do not reach us by the deadline, the university has the right to withdraw the admission offer. Applicants will be informed when their documents have arrived.

Requirements for educational documents

All copies of educational documents (diplomas and Diploma Supplements/transcripts) must be officially certified. By certified we mean that the copies should bear an original signature and seal of the authority certifying that these are true copies of the original document(s). The copies can be certified either 1) by an authorised official of the issuing institution, or 2) by a notary, or 3) with an Apostille attached. NB! Country-specific requirements may also specify the way documents from certain countries must be certified.

Please note that UT does not accept simple copies made on the basis of already certified copies (primary copies are needed).

All admitted students are required to present their original qualification certificates upon arrival (unless these were sent directly from the issuing institution).

Paying the tuition fee (applicable to those receiving a fee-based study place offer)

  • EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are required to pay the fee for the first semester by 20 September at the latest after signing the fee contract, please read more here.
  • Admitted students from other countries are required to pre-pay half of the first semester's tuition fee. The invoice along with the pre-payment deadline and payment details will be sent to applicants via DreamApply after they have accepted the admissions offer and the University has received the hard copies of the application documents. Second part of the fee is due on 20 September. NB! The official admission letter (necessary for visa application) will only be issued once the University of Tartu has received the pre-payment.
  • NB! Once you have been offered a fee-based study place, be aware that it will not be changed into a fee waiver study place. By transferring the pre-payment to the university, you confirm that you have informed yourself about the process of the visa and temporary residence permit application and you are able to arrive in Estonia by the start of the academic year. If you have any questions please contact studentvisasupport@ut.ee.

The official admission letter will be sent to admitted students electronically via DreamApply only after the admissions office has received and reviewed hard copies of the application documents, and received the tuition fee pre-payment (if a pre-payment was required, please see step 3 for more details).

Please note that the first semester (September - January) of this programme is conducated only online. Students are expected to move to Estonia, Viljandi for the second semester (February - July). Non-EU students will need to apply for long-term Estonian visa in the nearest Estonian Embassy. Please find more information on visa application process here. 

Housing in Viljandi is available in the UT student dormitories.

Based upon common queries, the most important information has been summarised into a pre-arrival information website UT Getting Started.

Estonian applicants should apply via National Admission Information Systems (SAIS). Further information in Estonian is available here.

Tuition fee and scholarships

Practical info for new students

International Student Ambassadors

Ask more about the programme and admission
Marek Mühlberg
Viljandi Culture Academy
Support Staff
Manager of Business Incubator, Programme Director of Management of Creative Projects

Student Admissions

Contact form

Application deadline
Viljandi Culture Academy in photos
#admissions
Information about participating in an online entrance interview when applying to the University of Tartu
21.03.2024
#studies #admissions
Restrictions on studying tuition-free for the second or more time
08.03.2024
#admissions
Pay attention to common mistakes when applying to the University of Tartu: submit documents on time, meet English language requirements, and choose the right programme to ensure smooth admission.
01.03.2024
#students #admissions #alumni
The programme celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022. Many students have graduated from the programme.
30.11.2023