The programme suits those in full-time employment and those who live at a considerable distance from Leicester. Attendance is concentrated into three separate block weeks in both Year 1 and 2. During the intervening periods, students' work is supported by distance-learning materials supplied by the programme team. Each year students carry out personal research related to their major project. The block weeks include an intensive programme of seminars, lectures and tutorials with contributions from visiting experts and an emphasis on discussion.
Language laboratories are available and students use the excellent library facilities.
The programme is aimed at professionals and researchers operating in Britain and abroad, in arts administration and practice, cultural policy-making, the media, tourism, the sports industry, local economic development, architecture, landscape design and urban and regional planning. Six subjects are studied and a major project completed. All subjects, with the exception of Language Study, are studied primarily in relation to the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy but there are also case studies on other countries from Western and Eastern Europe. With the exception of Language Study, the programme is taught in English. During the major project students pursue specialist interests and initiatives in one or more countries other than their own.