Global Creative Industries BA

Course overview

Are you passionate about creativity and looking to turn that passion into a career? This course gives you the skills and knowledge to build a successful career in the exciting world of global creative industries. You’ll explore how technology and global trends shape creativity, and learn what makes human creativity so special. Plus, you’ll get hands-on experience by working with well-known companies or starting your own projects.

The cultural and creative industries are a vital component of the global economy that shape how we understand the world and our place in it. This course is suitable for those with a broad range of interests such as creative arts students, business and economics students, technology enthusiasts, students with a humanities or social sciences background and those who are aspiring entrepreneurs!

Your course will be based in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries, where you will be taught across four Schools in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures and benefit from leading experts in creative industries practice and research.

You’ll be able to tailor the course to your personal ambitions by choosing to study a range of optional modules on themes including Marketing and Audiences, Enterprise and Management, and Policy and Politics. You’ll also have access to guest talks from industry professionals, and you’ll be encouraged to participate in career events such as workshops and networking sessions.

This course will equip you with the skills and confidence to forge your own path into a meaningful and rewarding career as a creative leader, manager, and thinker.

Specialist facilities

Leeds has plenty of valuable resources for Global Creative Industries students.

The School has a wide range of external links with leading arts and cultural organisations including:

• National and international touring theatre companies, DV8 Physical Theatre, Red Ladder and Blah Blah Blah.
• Leeds Playhouse (with which the University has a formal partnership).
• Award winning national opera company Opera North (with which the University has a formal partnership).
• Leeds based companies including: Slung Low, Invisible Flock, Riptide, Manic Chord, Phoenix Dance Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds Grand Theatre.
• TV film and digital companies and organisations: Channel 4, BBC, Limehouse Productions, Human VR, Live Cinema UK, Megaverse, XR Stories.
• Independent artists and producers: Fuel Theatre, Louise Ann Wilson Company, I.O.U., Freedom Studios, Bloomin' Buds, Mind the Gap.
• Regional and city-based events including: Compass Festival, Leeds Light Night, Transform Festival, Yorkshire Festival, Kendal Mountain Festival, Furnace Festival.

Our School is based in stage@leeds, a purpose-built landmark building that sits at the heart of campus. As our student, you’ll have access to its two professional standard, publicly licensed theatres: the main space seats 180 and is equipped with the latest technologies, and the theatre studio provides a technically advanced performance research facility.

The School’s relationship with the theatre provides many opportunities for you to become involved in its activities both through the curriculum and as volunteers, or as a member of one of the many Student Union performance societies. These opportunities offer the unique experience of working in a professional theatre environment within a university context.

Stage@leeds hosts a range of work by students and visiting theatre companies all year round. You’ll also have access to a wide range of specialist facilities, including multiple black-box studio theatre spaces, costume construction and wardrobe stores, a scenic workshop, dance studio and rehearsal rooms, video-editing and sound recording suites and a range of technical resources such as; portable recorders, 360-degree cameras, VR headsets and green screen technologies. You'll be supported in using these facilities by our experienced technical team.

In addition to stage@Leeds, Leeds University Library is one of the UK’s major academic research libraries, and has extensive holdings to support your studies including Special Collections offering a huge range of rare books, manuscripts and art. You’ll have access to materials relating to Red Ladder, Leeds Playhouse, Phoenix Dance Theatre, and more.

You'll also have access to Helix, the University's learning innovation hub for students, staff, and the local community. Located in the heart of campus, Helix offers cutting-edge digital provision including immersive technologies, multimedia production studios, as well as a physical makerspace. You'll be able to bring your own initiatives and ideas to life through collaboration, creation and innovation.

Course details

This course provides you with the understanding and skills needed to sustain a successful career in the global creative industries. In a rapidly changing world of technology and global politics, it lays bare the foundations and commonalities of human creativity. It provides opportunities for you to put your knowledge into practice, in partnership with an established enterprise or based on your own initiative.

Modules

The course information shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

Year 1

In your first year you’ll begin to explore how global creative industries function and what makes them distinctive from other parts of the economy. You’ll explore case studies that speak to the social, economic, political and cultural impacts of cultural and creativity activity, and consider how creative industries have developed in different global contexts.

Year 2

In year 2 you’ll focus on policy and creative enterprise, considering how the creative industries are supported, valued and regulated by different governments around the world. As well as developing your own policy proposals, you’ll also work with an external partner organisation to understand its business and solve a business problem on its behalf.

Year 3

In your final year you’ll have considerably more independence as you complete a final-year project that brings together your learning from previous years and is embedded in current best practice.

Across each level of study, you’ll also take modules to develop your skills in research and for employability in your preferred areas of the creative industries, ensuring you're ready to make the most of the opportunities as a University of Leeds graduate. Optional modules will allow you to gain a wide range of experiences and develop specialist skills in managing festival, arts marketing, visual cultures, and more.

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area. This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

This course adopts several different approaches to teaching, including lectures, seminars, workshops, small-group and individual tutorials, and self-directed sessions.

Compulsory modules will use the following methods to ensure a quality student experience and effective learning:

• Industry partners will deliver guest lectures on their area of specialism to ensure students receive excellent opportunities to engage with the sector.

• Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own continuing engagement with the creative industries and actively engage in on-campus creative and cultural events. You choose to develop a Final Year Project chosen from a portfolio of options – including responding to industry briefs – providing students with outstanding industry engagement.

• Students will draw on team-teaching expertise, ensuring sustainability of the model, research-based learning, and exposure to a range of approaches and skills.

• Staff on optional and compulsory modules will be invited to attend regular programme days where there will training on issues found to be significant in the course as well as opportunities for sharing good practice and reflecting on course development.

We hope to be able to provide global insight using webinars with students in different countries, guest online lectures from specialists in other global contexts and potential links with international organisations.

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

Compulsory modules are designed to build upon your developing experiences and skills as you progress through the course. These modules utilise a range of assessment methods to give you a clear development towards their Final Year Project and a strong sense of their own development, making full use of effective formative feedback and manageable summative feedback.

This will be particularly significant in the first year where we'll work to support international student transition and development. Optional modules are carefully curated to ensure students experience a manageable set of assessment tasks, which do not prejudice their student experience but ensure robust and sufficient assessment.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB

Other course specific tests:

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ.

We interview all eligible applicants for this programme.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

This course is designed for students whose backgrounds mean they are less likely to attend university (also known as widening participation backgrounds) and who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry to a degree.

The course will give you the opportunity to be taught by academic staff and provides intensive support to enable your development of academic skills and knowledge. On successful completion of your foundation year, you will progress to your chosen degree course. Find out more about the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: £27,750 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

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 on our living costs and budgeting page.

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 is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

Next steps

We select applicants on the basis of your UCAS application and are looking for a strong personal statement and suitable grades.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Performance and Cultural Industries
School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies
School of Media and Communication
School of Music

Contact us

School of Performance and Cultural Industries Undergraduate Admissions

Email: pciug@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

This course is creating a new generation of creative leaders, managers and thinkers within the creative industries. Traditional career trajectories may not apply in this dynamic sector, but this course will provide you with the skills and confidence to take advantage of opportunities, as well as encouraging you to forge your own route into meaningful and rewarding work.

Embedded across four Schools within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Culture, you’ll be taught by world-leading academics and practitioners who'll provide specialist knowledge on working across the creative sectors.

The Global Creative Industries course will help you develop essential soft skills for any career. Through projects and presentations, you'll improve your communication, learning how to express your ideas clearly and confidently. Working in teams on group tasks will strengthen your collaboration skills, while tackling real-world challenges will enhance your problem-solving abilities. You'll also learn to manage your time and stay organised, handling multiple projects and deadlines effectively. Along the way, you'll build critical thinking and adaptability, preparing you not just for your studies, but for a successful future in the creative industries.

Suggested pathways through the course will further develop skills and experience in marketing and audiences, enterprise and management, and policy and politics. These areas of focus open a broad range of career opportunities within and around the creative industries, whether working with creative enterprises, or in creative consultancies or related public sector roles.

Importantly, throughout your study you will be equipped with the critical skills that enable you to be adaptable and resilient in the rapidly changing worlds of work. You will learn how to recognise where there are new opportunities, and how to identify and then answer emerging questions that will shape creative organisations.

Professional development will be enhanced through guest talks from professionals in the creative industries, analysis of case studies and assessments attached to real world briefs. There are additional School-level employability programmes, such as The Next Stage and Media Futures.

Within the Faculty there's increasing careers support for international students, as well as a deep understanding of the specific characteristics of careers in the creative industries that students can engage with and be supported by during their time at the University of Leeds and beyond.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.