Course Brief

The aim of this course is to introduce the creative industries as an area of professional activity: The culture of the creative industries, working practices, the varieties of roles and professional identities, and how key companies are structured. We will research creative business models and practices, and appraise critically the economic, social, political and ethical structures within which creative businesses operate.


  • This course is offered in 62 contact hours

On completing this course successfully you will be able to:

  1. Evaluate a range of creative business models and contexts, including alternative and innovative approaches to entrepreneurship and business practice within the creative industries.
  2. Research and analyse professional opportunities in the media and creative industries.
  3. Reflect upon how you might best develop and position your own projects, skills and professional plans in relation to these models and contexts.
  4. Research using qualitative methods and professional sources (e.g., trade publications, blogs, online forums).

Students will investigate key concepts and issues relating to the current landscape of the creative industries, such as: forms of employment; the knowledge/creative economy; national and local government strategy; entrepreneurship; creative clusters; innovation, intellectual property rights, revenue streams and business models. They will analyse a range of case studies in standard and alternative business structures, practices and projects, often with direct input from visiting speakers (practitioners in the creative industries).

  • The aim of this course is to introduce the creative industries as an area of professional activity: The culture of the creative industries, working practices, the varieties of roles and professional identities, and how key companies are structured. We will research creative business models and practices, and appraise critically the economic, social, political and ethical structures within which creative businesses operate.