UCA Business School Guide

We know creativity makes our world more innovative, more joyous, and more human. We’re outside the establishment, standing for fresh perspective and originality. With us, you’ll be a name, not a number, as we deliver an education tailored to you and your future.

Join the CREATIVE UPRISING and be part of a 160-year tradition of doing things differently.

“Our Business School for the Creative Industries really is like no other with a range of courses, specifically tailored to nurturing and developing students with the skills and expertise to break into any creative industry. And we don’t just talk the talk. Our Business School has been ranked number one by The Times and The Sunday Times for teaching quality.” – Professor Philip Powell, Director, Business School for the Creative Industries

Success after graduation

And

Jamie Windust – Writer, Editor, Model and Public Speaker

– Mollie Ward – Founder (SoMonroe)

– Maisey Brown - Creative Marketing Copywriter (Urban Outfitters)

Emma FowlerPublications Executive (Liberty London)

Hikmat MohammedDigital Lifestyle Journalist (The Telegraph)

– Olivia Girling - Senior Content Writer (Farfetch)

Whitney HarrisonBookings Assistant (ELLE Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar)

Beti Bara and Kyle Gayle – Advertising Executives (Impero)

Phoebe Fox – Music Photographer (Trapdoor Agency)

– Ione Gamble - Founder (Polyester Zine)

– Hayley Harrison –Campaign Manager (The Fifth Group )

Course index

BA/BSc (Hons) Advertising

BA/BSc (Hons)

N561

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year N56A

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year N56C

BA/BSc (Hons) with Professional Practice Year N562

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year N56B

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year N56D

BA/BSc (Hons) Arts & Cultural Management

BA/BSc (Hons) N820

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year N82A

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year N82C

BA/BSc (Hons) with Professional Practice Year N822

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year N82B

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year N82D

BA/BSc (Hons) Business & Management

BA/BSc (Hons) N200

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year N20A

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year N20C

BA/BSc (Hons) with Professional Practice Year N201

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year N20B BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year N20D

BA (Hons) Business Innovation & Management (top-up)

BA (Hons) N100

BA (Hons) Creative Industries Management in Fashion (top-up)

BA (Hons) N103

Course UCAS Code

BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Marketing & Social Media

BA/BSc (Hons) P304

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year P30A

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year P30C

BA/BSc (Hons) with Professional Practice Year P305

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year P30B

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year P30D

BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Media & Magazine Publishing

BA/BSc (Hons) WP25

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year WP2A

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year WP2C

BA/BSc (Hons) with Professional Practice Year WP26

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year WP2B BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year WP2D

BA/BSc (Hons) Events & Festivals Management

BA/BSc (Hons)

N821

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year N82F BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year N82H

BA/BSc (Hons) with Professional Practice Year N823

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year N82G BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year N82J

BA (Hons) Fashion Branding & Communications

BA (Hons) WN65

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year WN6A

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year WN6C

BA (Hons) with Professional Practice Year WN66

BA (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year WN6B

BA (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year WN6D

Course UCAS Code

Course UCAS Code

BA/BSc (Hons) Fashion Business & Management

BA/BSc (Hons) N101

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year N10A

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year N10C

BA/BSc (Hons) with Professional Practice Year N102

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year N10B

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year N10D

BA/BSc (Hons) Music Business & Management

BA/BSc (Hons) W376

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year W37A

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year W37C

BA/BSc (Hons) with Professional Practice Year W377

BA/BSc (Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W37B

BA/BSc (Hons) with International Foundation Year AND Professional Practice Year W37D

A foot in the door

When thinking about your career, there’s only one thing as important as your education – building industry experience.

At UCA, you’ll be able to get both at once, building hands-on experience while you study through a range of opportunities designed to help you enhance your CV. From live industry briefs and work placements through to optional Professional Practice Years, there’s an option to suit you.

Professional Practice Years

Many of our undergraduate courses come with the option of an additional professional practice year. If you choose this route, you’ll take a study break between years 2 and 3 to go on a yearlong placement related to your studies – whether that’s a creative agency, an arts venue, or a record label, for example. Learn more on our course pages at uca.ac.uk

Guaranteed work placements

Preparing graduates for successful careers underpins everything we do, and all students at the Business School for the Creative Industries will be offered an industry placement anywhere between two weeks and a year in length, depending on their individual needs. We’ll draw on our wide range of contacts within the creative industries to ensure you’re offered opportunities that align with your interests and future career aspirations.

Live industry briefs

One of the most exciting features of UCA courses is the opportunity to take part in   live industry briefs and competitions. Students on Business School for the Creative Industries courses will work with major brands on project proposals and pitches that will not only prepare you for the world of work but will support you in making lifelong professional connections.

Advertising graduates Leanne Shaw and Karin Kajabova completed a placement with agency Haygarth. Leanne said: “Our placement at Haygarth was extremely beneficial. In the short time we were there, we learned so much and were surprised at how many people were willing to offer us advice and answer our questions.”

Fashion Management & Marketing graduate Eve Jappy enjoyed a work placement with Calvin Klein. She said: “I learned so much from the Calvin Klein team on my placement. I would really encourage anyone to do a placement abroad while studying if you get the chance. It may seem scary, but it is so worth it as you get to experience different cultures and nationalities. I am so thankful that my course leader really encouraged us to put a lot of effort into our LinkedIn and digital portfolios, because it helped to get me noticed in the industry and opened up this fantastic opportunity.”

Eve Jappy Leanne Shaw and Karin Kajabova

Welcome to Epsom

Our Epsom campus is located just on the edge of the town centre of Epsom, where you’ll find everything you need – from shops, bars, cafés and restaurants to nights and days out.

Popular spots include Rosebery Park, opposite the university, for socialising and relaxing, and The Faraday pub where regular karaoke takes place, as well as bottomless brunches, live sport, weekly quizzes and an extensive vegan menu too.

For shopping, there’s the Ashley Centre shopping mall together with a large range of high street stores, and if you want a bigger day out, you’re close by to Epsom Downs racecourse, and theme parks Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures –and you’re only a short train ride from the centre of London.

There’s also the Epsom Playhouse, with regular touring shows, famous standup comedians and tribute acts on the bill for a night out with a difference.

Meet our school community

Phoebe Fox Music Promotion and Management Graduate

“I spent three years balancing touring, festivals, shows and portraits with university commitments and deadlines. There’s no way I would have been able to do that without the support and flexibility given to me by the UCA lecturers. By the end of those three years, I handed in the final major project, went home to pack and got straight on a tour bus for a sixweek run with Anne Marie.”

“I studied Fashion Journalism and I adored the course. It truly sets you up for every avenue you may want to venture down after graduating and it is challenging yet fun. The library and student services are amazing, no matter what problem you have the team can help you solve the problem or take you to someone who can help. They always go above and beyond at ensuring you get the most from the services provided and they always do so with a friendly smile.”

“My course was situated in the Business School, which allowed us to integrate with the other business and marketing students for some lectures helping us mix with fellow students on slightly different courses. I really enjoyed doing the practical side of my course which included a lot of going out to gigs, recording music related videos/podcasts and editing using the Adobe suite.”

“I love being part of the Business School for the Creative Industries, because it brings together two fundamental principles that sets students up for industry – ‘Business and Creativity’ i.e., entrepreneurship, enterprise, professional networking, research, innovation and creative practice.

We have a fantastic community of practice both with our staff and students. Staff operate across four creative business areas (Branding and Communication, Cultural Business & Management, Fashion & Luxury and Strategic Business & Management) with a myriad of industry and research experience in areas such as marketing, advertising, music/event management, digital analytics and creative human resources to name just a few. The Business School is a collaborative community with a collegiate spirit, delivering an inclusive curriculum to a diverse range of students that strive to be global citizens.”

Lauren Beesting Fashion Journalism Graduate

Mark O’Connor Programme Director, Branding & Communications

Sarah Bradley Music Marketing & Communications Graduate

Living at UCA

Moving away from home is a big moment. Wherever you’re staying while you   study – campus halls of residence or privately rented flats, houses or lodgings – you’re about to have your first taste of independence in a diverse and tight-knit creative community, and we want to make sure you feel settled and happy.

Epsom halls of residence

UCA Epsom has four halls of residence, two on-campus and two slightly further afield. Prices ranged from around 162 - £187 per week in 2021-22 (these are subject to change, but this gives you a rough idea of what to expect).

Worple Road

Located on campus, there are eight flats housing 54 students, features include:

– En-suite facilities in each room

Single bed, bookcase, desk and chair, wardrobe in each room

A shared kitchen/communal area with cookers and fridge-freezers, and small appliances including kettles and microwaves

Internet access

Warden/security nearby for overnight duty and weekends

Wilberforce Court

Located on campus, there are 12 self-catering flats with accommodation for 70 students in total. Features include:

Shared facilities – one shower room/toilet per three students

Single bed, bookcase, desk and chair, wardrobe in each room

A shared kitchen/communal area with cookers and fridge-freezers, and small appliances including kettles and microwaves

Warden/security nearby for overnight duty and weekends Internet access

Bradford House

Around ten minutes’ walk to campus, this new accommodation houses up to 99 students, with up to eight students per flat. Each room has en-suite facilities, with a shared kitchen and communal space, internet access and security nearby for overnight duty and weekends.

Crossways House

Around ten minutes’ walk from campus, Crossways House is home to up to 99 students and is purpose-built for student living. Each flat has up to eight en-suite bedrooms, with a shared kitchen and communal space, internet access and security nearby for overnight duty and weekends. It’s located close to the town centre and the Rainbow Leisure Centre.

Private accommodation

If halls aren’t for you, or you don’t get a place in our halls, private accommodation is the way to go. There is a bit more to consider if you take this route, so preparation is key, as well as research and budgeting. We’ll help you with the process and finding the information you need.

Accommodation Guarantee

We’re proud to offer all firstyear students a guaranteed accommodation offer – either through halls or privately – for 2023. To qualify, you must accept your offer from UCA by the UCAS deadline (usually mid-January).

International students applying directly to UCA must apply by 30 April 2023 to qualify.

Here to help

You can find out more about our accommodation offering, our services, our contact details and more about our Accommodation Guarantee for first-year students, by scanning the QR code below.

Our facilities and resources

Excelling in business is more than just an analytical and knowledgeable brain — together with your in-class learning you’ll need a good grasp of computer software and, depending on your course, skills in photography, printing and design.

We want to ensure that when you graduate, you’ll be confident, adaptable and skilled, ready to take on the world across the creative industries.

Our facilities at UCA Epsom will help you be the best you can – with everything on hand to help you with project proposals, concepts, presentations, editorial outputs, styled photoshoots, collaborations with students on other courses, and much, much more.

Facilities highlights

A range of flexible teaching and learning environments with video conferencing and interactive AV resources

IT environments configured for arts, technology and business study, with specialist software including Adobe Creative Suite, Dreamweaver and After Effects

A 250-seater auditorium with conference-standard facilities

– Digital print studio with large and small format printing, bookbinding, guillotine, perfect binding, vinyl cutting and dry mounting

A Gerber suite, a unique Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) facility for fashion including the latest 3D Gerber Accumark software

Dedicated area for large-format printing and hi-spec scanners

Screen-print studio for traditional printing

– Facilities for traditional oilbased print including intaglio, relief and hot metal letterpress equipment

Sound studio with fully equipped sound booth

– Five fully equipped photographic studios

– Laser cutter and 3D printing facilities.

A photographic studio, where you will be able to book photoshoots and document your portfolio of work

Advertising duo are hungry for success

Part of the UCA learning experience is, in many cases, putting your skills to the test in real-life situations, whether that’s competitions or industry briefs. Following the success of one such competition, BA (Hons) Advertising graduates Beti Bara and Kyle Gayle bagged themselves an exciting new career.

Beti and Kyle, who work together under the moniker of KurgerBing, leaped straight into employment after leaving UCA, and now work for an independent ad agency called Impero. We caught up with them about their UCA experience and how they’ve found the working world so far.

Hi guys! Thanks for chatting with us and congratulations on your success so far. What can you tell us about your time at UCA and what were the highlights of your course?

Beti: “The UCA advertising course was exactly what I expected and nothing like I expected at the same time — my experience was very self-paced. I chose which disciplines and mediums I wanted to explore and to what extent. This combination of exploration and practice proved to be so helpful in understanding who I am as a creative, and how to combine my creative skills with others. The biggest highlight is probably getting a taste for the industry’s highs and lows, from frustrating late nights to glorious revelations of cracking difficult briefs. So many of my favourite moments circle around those ups

and downs, they always remind me how much I love doing what I’m doing.”

Tell us how you got your roles at your agency. How’s the experience been so far?

Kyle: “Impero is an independent agency for ‘impatient brands’, specialising in stunts, experiential, social, and digital campaigns. They were looking to expand their tightly knit creative department with a fresh junior team, and our menu-themed portfolio was enough to get them to ‘order takeout’, so to speak!

“After our first interview, we were given a trial creative brief to solve and present to the creative director. We were hired shortly

after! Our experience so far has been stellar, we’ve been keeping busy with many new briefs. Despite their youthful energy, our colleagues have years of experience and have always been ready to support us since day one. While sometimes there are moments of calm, they are followed by high intensity work — something that seems to be the norm in this industry. Because the agency’s team spirit is so powerful, we rarely ever feel stuck.”

What would you say was your brand? How would people know a piece of work was by you?

Beti: “Our brand stems out of our shared belief in the potential of advertising - it wouldn’t be so hated if brands let their audience take the wheel of the creative. We approach all briefs with the same questions in the back of our minds – ‘What is the common denominator, and how can we make it more relevant?’

Our aesthetic is simple, we make ads for today’s ‘picky eaters’; our work aims to feel as little like an advert as possible! Whether it’s through direct interactions between brand and audience, or through an experiential stunt, our creative personalities complement each other to discover insights with a meaningful sense of humour and a rebellious twist.”

What’s a typical day in the office like for you both?

Kyle: Although working from home has helped us with the work-life-balance, going into the office always feels like a special occasion. The buzzing creative atmosphere is contagious and everyone has a friendly face. Since it’s only a few times a week, we actually look forward to going to the office and working in-person with everyone. We start our day with an agency-wide meeting discussing the plans for the day followed by a fun, daily quiz. Then, we get wrapped up in our tasks, be it ideation or creating social content! This hybrid way of working allowed us to ease into the creative industry rather than be bombarded with deadlines, costs, and stress, wherever we choose to work. It’s a great place to be.

Can you tell us about some of the campaigns you’ve been working on?

Beti: Aside from producing social content for Russian Standard Vodka, UGG, and FibreOne, our first campaign was for Impero’s own brand. It’s an agency tradition to partner with a charitable cause and send clients a Christmas present each year. With the very relevant cause of pandemic inequality the lack of vaccines in less fortunate countries, we devised a themed present that symbolized the significance of Impero’s donation.

“We came up with ‘Shots for Shots’, a set of shot glasses and vaccine-themed recipe cards in custom bum bags, because this year we felt everyone deserves to be offered a shot. It was the first campaign we saw through the entire process, from topline ideas to design executions. It feels surreal to see it brought to life, and we’re so proud of how it came out!

“We have a really exciting campaign coming out in January, but that’s all we can say for now.”

So, what advice would you both have for current students about getting into the industry?

Kyle: “Put yourself out there, people can’t know you exist if you don’t make a name of yourself. Whether that’s a unique website, an active LInkedIn profile, or a personal project. Make the most of anything that sets you apart from others, and don’t forget to celebrate every step forward, even if it’s small.”

Beti: “Though it’s always about being at the right place at the right time and it’s up to you to find it, it’s good to sit back every once in a while and let opportunities find you. There are opportunities everywhere you look, and it won’t matter if nothing worked out today. You won’t know what tomorrow has in store unless you are ready to embrace it.”

Read more student stories at uca.ac.uk/blogs

Celebrating future talent

At UCA, we’re all about recognising talent and to this end, the Business School for the Creative Industries launched its very own Business School Awards.

The awards were sponsored by a number of creative brands, including Elespee, RAEBURN and Goat, and graduates together with current students were nominated under eight categories.

BA (Hons) Fashion Management & Marketing graduate Siân Lewis won the RAEBURN Disruptor and Innovator Award for her proposal for a plant-based and biodegradable sneaker brand, La Maison de Margot, that decomposes in just 20 years, compared with the thousands of years it currently takes on average.

“La Maison de Margot is a project that I am proud of,” she said. “I am passionate about creating a more environmentally and ethically conscious fashion industry and to have received this recognition from RAEBURN, a leader in responsible fashion, means a lot to me.”

Habiba Wushishi won the Digital Marketing Strategy Award for their Virgin Atlantic Food App, that allows passengers to create a bespoke menu for their flight. The app was designed for the NigeriaLondon route, to generate conversation around Nigerian culture through its cuisine.

Habiba, a BA (Hons) Business Innovation and Management graduate said: “It is an amazing feat to have been chosen as the winner, I felt so honoured. My lecturers were instrumental in motivating me to produce my best work.”

Winning the Elespee Branding Award was Anton Williams, who proposed a new music streaming platform, Netflix Music, which puts the artist at the heart. Meanwhile, Angeliki Blessiou won the Lo & Behold Bright Future Award for her Wasted Fantasy app – an upcycling service for streetwear and sportswear brands and a platform to support and educate Gen Z. Both graduates studied BA (Hons) Fashion Management & Marketing.

Currently studying for her MBA, Sarah Nadine Charman won The Advisory & Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit for her environmentally conscious GreenHaus Bar business proposal. She also won a mentorship with Teresa Havvas, founder of The Advisory &.

“I am beyond grateful to The Advisory for their kindness, harnessing my curiosity for business, and their continued support,” Sarah said. “I would also like to acknowledge the support of staff members from the Business School for their guidance and belief in me.”

Winning the PR Mentorship Award was BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion & Imaging graduate Freya Jones, who won for her adaptable, accessible and customisable underwear brand for a diverse range of female body types.

Emily Wong, also a graduate in BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion & Imaging, won the Future Thinker Award, sponsored by Unique Style Platform, a forecasting service for the fashion and lifestyle industries.

She produced a digital book to educate readers on period poverty, the miseducation of periods, and the education of female anatomy, with all profits going to charity Bloody Good Period.

“It bridges the gap between education and the normalisation of periods in a new and fun way,” said Emily.

Finally, Business Management graduate

Faris Hattab won the Freelance Entrepreneur of the Year Award by UnderPinned’s COO and Founder Jack Williams. Jack described Faris’s consumer analysis as “mind-blowing” and added that it showed “UCA’s fantastic ability to teach this skill set”.

Faris won the award for SkipFit, a hybrid digital jump rope and fitness brand and app. He said: “I could not have done this without the support of everyone at UCA. The pandemic has been a creative block for every one of us, but our tutors have

inspired us and pushed us forward. And it was the pandemic environment which influenced my app for mental and spiritual wellbeing and physical support.”

The awards ceremony was hosted by Professor Philip Powell, Director of the Business School.

Read more student stories at uca.ac.uk/blogs

At UCA, we understand that you might need to develop your portfolio and skills, or maybe you haven’t studied creative subjects at college. We don’t believe these things should stop you from achieving your dreams.

Which is why we offer our Foundation Years to those students who need it. The Foundation Year is designed to bridge the gap from where you are now, to where you need to be so that you can begin your degree with confidence. All our courses feature a foundation year if you need to take one – whether you’re a UK or international student.

Integrated Foundation Year

For UK students, the Integrated Foundation Year is designed to give you the skills you’ll need to start your

degree in the best possible way –with confidence, solid knowledge of creative practice, study skills and more. You’ll explore a range of creative techniques and develop your portfolio, with your chosen subject in mind. We’ll work with you throughout the year to ensure you’re on the right track and give you the tools to achieve your highest potential on your degree.

Integrated International Foundation Year

For our students coming from a nonUK educational background, your Integrated International Foundation Year is exactly the same as for our UK students – but with a few small changes to help you settle in and be the best you can be, including the English speaking and writing skills you’ll need to progress.

success

Our courses

BA/BSc (Hons) Advertising

The best advertisements don’t just sell products — they become part of a wider conversation, taking on a life of their own. On our BA/BSc (Hons) Advertising degree, we’ll give you the tools to turn your ideas into eye-catching campaigns.

This course offers you a unique opportunity to blend academic excellence with professional experience, taught by highly experienced practitioners with connections to some of the biggest names in the industry.

You’ll be encouraged to create fresh and attentiongrabbing projects across a range of platforms, working collaboratively with students from other courses to bring them to life. You’ll build skills in critical analysis, research, production and communication, and graduate with high-level skills in art direction, copywriting and digital media.

Year 1

Your first year focuses on developing your analogue and digital design skills. Alongside this you will explore the historical and current place of advertising in a crowded digital marketing landscape and its use as an integral part of marketing campaigns.

Year 2

You’ll deepen your investigation into the creative, personal and business aspects of advertising. While you will continue to focus on your creative development, your exploration of advertising begins to focus on client requirements and your role as an advertising professional.

Year 3

In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the cutting edge of advertising as a global industry, developing your major degree project, undertaking trips to major international centres of advertising and preparing for your career in professional practice.

Credit: Gulem Ezer

BA/BSc (Hons) Arts & Cultural Management

If running an arts venue sounds like your dream career, then our unique BA/BSc (Hons) Arts & Cultural Management degree course will give you the tools and skills you need.

This course introduces you to the fast-moving world of events and promotions, where no two days are the same and you will find yourself working alongside creatives and performers, as well as industry executives.

You’ll gain an understanding of what goes on behind the scenes to stage an event – be it a local multi-arts venue or a major music festival such as Glastonbury – and how logistics, programming, ticketing, staffing and catering come together to create a unique experience.

You’ll build knowledge of the increasing role played by social media and digital communications in the marketing and publicising of events, and how new technologies are changing the face of performance –from immersive and interactive theatre to holograms and virtual reality.

Year 1

You’ll be introduced to the various aspects of arts management, learning how to design an experience, ensure it’s safe and how to cater for different consumers. You’ll also take part in the shared Business Seminars, giving you a chance to interact with several other courses at the school.

Year 2

In your second year of study, you’ll decide whether to continue your course under the banner of BA or take the BSc route. You’ll cover units appropriate to each, continue your Business Seminars with other students and you’ll have the option, if you want, to take an industry placement or study abroad.

Year 3

Your final year will see you continue your shared Business Seminars with other students, investigate the current trends and issues surrounding modern arts management and learn about fundraising and start-ups. You’ll conclude your studies with your final degree project.

BA/BSc (Hons) Business & Management

Make an impact on global business organisations with the practical skills, industry experience and entrepreneurial spirit you’ll gain on our BA/BSc Business & Management degree course.

Our course aims to make you a world-leading creative professional in a sector that is undergoing substantial growth. Each unit of the course will prepare you for a range of career opportunities in the creative business sector, and you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in one of five industry areas - Fashion, Games, Music, Cosmetics and Beauty or Lifestyle.

You’ll graduate with excellent understanding of the broader practices of business management and, armed with your specialist subject skills, you’ll be able to excel in the creative industries you love.

Year 1

In your first year you’ll be focused on developing your understanding of how the arts and creative

economy works and the place of businesses within it. Alongside this, you will explore the core business practices that are foundational to the effective management of creative businesses.

Year 2

Your second year will deepen your understanding of the financial, management and organisational skills within the business. While you will continue to focus on your development as a manager, your exploration will focus on client requirements and your role as an emerging creative industry professional.

Year 3

Your final year provides an opportunity to explore the cutting edge of the creative industries in a global context. You will develop your own major degree project, undertake trips to major international centres of the creative industries and prepare for your career in professional practice.

BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Marketing & Social Media

On this course you’ll discover the constantly moving nature of digital marketing and social media and gain the tools to think quickly and creatively to meet the demands of both technology and customer behaviour.

You will become an expert marketeer and a highly effective social media user, able to understand the role of the influencer and how to target your core audiences.

Year 1

You’ll begin your time at UCA developing your understanding of how the arts and creative economy works and the place of businesses within it. Alongside this you will explore the core business practices that are foundational to effective management in digital marketing and social media.

Year 2

The second year provides the platform to deepen your investigation into social media through influencers and Influence, alongside understanding how to plan campaigns and buy the media accordingly. You will explore financial, management and organisational skills that will continue to develop your understanding of business. While you will continue to focus on your development as a manager, your exploration will focus on client requirements and your role as an emerging marketing industry professional.

Year 3

In the final year, you’ll explore the cutting edge of creative industries within a global context and develop your own major degree project. You’ll also undertake trips to major international centres of the creative industries and prepare for your career in professional practice.

Credit: Faris Hattab

BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Media & Magazine Publishing

Are you a budding journalist, or keen to get into the publishing business? Our BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Media & Magazine Publishing degree is a unique course that combines the skills you’ll need for both areas.

This course covers the practical and technical skills involved in digital and print-based journalism, with a core focus on editing, production and a professional understanding of the business of publishing.

You will gain the knowledge to manage the publishing process from idea generation to publication, employ a range of different writing and visual skills, learn to pitch and commission stories and gain hands-on experience in producing a publication across print and digital media formats. Along the way, you’ll be taught by an experienced team of journalists and editors from the publishing world of Music, Fashion and Lifestyle media.

Working alongside students on a range of fashion, music and business courses, you’ll develop a deep understanding of the business of digital media, and the role of the journalist within it. You’ll also

gain important skills in networking, self promotion, interviewing and communication.

Year 1

Gain the basics of journalism, media, and publishing — developing your writing skills alongside learning the historical and cultural history of the industry, as well as how it impacts on today’s society. You’ll be able to specialise your skills in an elective unit.

Year 2

Alongside building your business knowledge, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a range of exciting elective units that cover everything from music journalism to influencers, and learn about the structures and processes involved in publishing customer magazines.

Year 3

For your final year of study, you’ll look into the future of magazine publishing and media, while also investigating influences in a chosen area of the creative industries. You’ll also complete a final major project, creating a distinctive piece of work alongside a professional portfolio.

Credit: Emily Higgins

BA/BSc (Hons) Events & Festivals Management

BA/BSc (Hons) Events & Festivals Management will give you the insight and skills to run exciting events for any purpose, scales or budget.

There are thousands of events which need organising - whether it’s a local charity fundraiser, a music festival, a business conference, a convention or a sporting event. This is a vibrant, dynamic sector, global in its scope, that demands adaptability and quick thinking.

This course will guide you through how to create an event, from the initial concept through to the organisation and curation of the participant’s experience, and on to the final staging.

You will learn about forward planning, venue choice, programming, equipment, experience design and the important role played by food and drink. In addition, you’ll learn how to set budgets, analyse data, comply with health and safety regulations and evaluate environmental concerns.

Year 1

Your first year will be spent focusing on foundations of events management, examining the development of the events industry and how it has shaped culture and society, and in turn, been shaped by technology and trends.

Year 2

You’ll deepen your understanding of the digital marketing and technology as well as the financial and logistics of planning and organising events underpinned by contextual theories.

Year 3

In the final year, you’ll explore the cutting edge of the events and promotions industry as a global business. You will develop your own major degree project, undertake trips to events and promotions and prepare for your career in professional practice.

Credit: Phoebe Fox

BA (Hons) Fashion Branding & Communication

Credit: Alex Rahneva

Fashion isn’t always about the catwalk - there’s a whole world of promotions, public relations and branding behind it. On our BA (Hons) Fashion Branding & Communication degree course, we’ll help you become an expert in the fashion business

.

This course will develop your knowledge in fashion promotion, help you create your own brand identity and give you skills across a wide range of creative media, including photography, film, graphics, print, digital design, and interactive media.

You will learn and explore how brands communicate and operate through business and innovative thinking and visualise your projects using software like the Adobe Creative Cloud suite as you develop ways to communicate your creative ideas to consumers.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be an expert in building lasting relationships and positive reputations through communication, selfpromotion, networking and technology.

Year 1

You’ll develop your understanding of key fashion promotion and branding theoretical and practical concepts and the importance of embracing visual literacy within it. Alongside studying how creative economies work and the place of businesses within them, you will explore the core business practices that are foundational to effective management of proposals in branding and communication.

Year 2

You’ll investigate art direction, live promotional and marketing briefs alongside understanding the wider fashion industry, for example, how public relations operates. You will explore digital marketing and analytics as well as organisational skills that will continue to develop your competencies in the communications business.

Year 3

The culmination of your studies includes your Final Major Project, and trips to agencies and in-house PR departments to help with your career preparations.

Credit: Emily Barwick

BA/BSc (Hons) Fashion Business & Management

Want to be a major player in the fashion industry? Join our BA/BSc Fashion Business & Management degree and learn all you need to take your place at the forefront.

This course focuses on developing your business sense and your planning skills so that you can thrive commercially. Whether it’s fashion buying, merchandising, forecasting, management strategy, PR and marketing, branding or international business, you’ll graduate with the knowledge and confidence to succeed.

Our graduates are highly employable, with a wide range of skills that are sought-after in the fashion business. Former students have progressed into careers working for household names such as Topshop, Burberry and Harrods.

Credit: Patraporn Dejprasit

Year 1

You’ll develop your understanding of how the fashion industry works and the place of business within it. Alongside this, you will explore the core business practices that are foundational to effective management of fashion businesses.

Year 2

As you continue developing your understanding of the fashion industry, you’ll investigate the financial, management and organisational skills associated with it, develop management skills and learn about client requirements and your role as an emerging creative industries’ professional.

Year 3

In your final year, you’ll explore the cutting edge of the fashion industry as a global business, develop your own major degree project, undertake trips to major international centres of fashion and prepare for your career in professional practice.

BA/BSc (Hons) Music Business & Management

If you have the drive to work in the music industry, then our BA/BSc (Hons) Music Business & Management course is for you.

Whether you picture yourself working in record company management, music marketing, A&R (talent scouting and development), artist management or live music, this course will give you everything you need to achieve your goals, including expertise in merchandising, e-commerce, social media marketing, branding, management and promotion.

The course will give you the opportunity to build a professional network in one of the UK’s most successful and competitive creative businesses. London is the centre of the music industry in the UK, Europe and, arguably, the world. And with our impressive array of contacts, you will leave the course with the knowledge, skills and professional network to operate in the music industry in the UK, or beyond.

Year 1

You’ll learn the foundations of the music business examining the history of music and how it has shaped culture and society, and in turn, been shaped by technology and trends. You will study how the principles of marketing and promotion have been developed to take advantage of online media and technology.

Year 2

You’ll deepen your understanding of the live music industry and how it fits in with the recorded music sector and you will be organising your own gigs or music events. Music publishing and the revenues available to creatives and copyright owners are studied to give you a grounding on international music copyrights, the business of song-writing, revenue streams and contractual relationships that bind music creators and commercial concerns.

Year 3

In your final year, you’ll put together all you’ve learned about the music industry to develop your final major project. You’ll also undertake trips to major international centres of the music industry and prepare for your career in professional practice.

Credit: Phoebe Fox

BA (Hons) Business Innovation & Management (top-up)

Equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree, this BA (Hons) Business Innovation & Management (top-up) course enables you to build upon an existing qualification such as a foundation degree or an HND.

You’ll join us at level 6 with your previous knowledge and accredited learning, achieving a greater level of independence with self-managed research, study and practice.

In the Marketing Strategy and Planning unit, you’ll develop knowledge and understanding of tactical decision-making, while learning how to capture and create customer value at a strategic level.

As ethical behaviour and corporate social responsibility come to inform the way consumers think about businesses, we introduce the concept of business ethics and develop your ability to examine their relevance to business objectives and responsibilities.

In the Entrepreneurship and Creativity unit, you’ll get an overall insight into enterprise as you investigate the factors that underpin successful entrepreneurial activities and explore issues related to individuals, as well as small and family businesses.

Your final project will allow you to develop your independent enquiry skills as you complete a sustained research investigation into an area you’re interested in.

Overall, the course will develop your ability to weigh up ethical and intellectual considerations and build on your commitment to becoming a business professional.

Throughout the year, the focus will be on learning through activities that enable you to practice, exhibit and develop your confidence in enterprise.

BA (Hons) Creative Industries Management in Fashion (top-up)

Our BA (Hons) Creative Industries Management in Fashion (top-up) degree is designed to hone your business and management skills specifically for a future career in the fashion industry.

Equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree, this course enables you to ‘top-up’ an existing qualification, such as a foundation degree or an HND. You’ll join us at level 6 with your previous knowledge and accredited learning, achieving a greater level of independence with selfmanaged research, study and practice.

This course focuses on building on your existing business and management knowledge of the fast-moving fashion industry. You’ll learn about capturing and creating customer value, ethical behaviour and sustainability within fashion, and the place of entrepreneurship in the development of the industry.

You’ll advance your professional practice in business while focusing on your fashion interests. You’ll benefit from the exceptional teaching staff and resources that UCA has to offer while studying a stone’s throw away from London.

During this top-up year you’ll achieve a greater level of independence with self-managed research, study and practice, resulting in a final business project.

Credit: Chanél Jordaan

Next steps

1. Applying

For full time undergraduate courses, fill out an application form via ucas.com (deadline 25 January). The institution name is UCA, the institution code is C93, and campus codes are C, E, F and M (for Maidstone TV Studios).

OR

For Further Education or parttime undergraduate courses, fill out an application form directly with us using the ‘Apply now’ link on the course pages at uca.ac.uk

2. Your application

Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive an email from us with your username and password for the UCA Applicant Portal.

3.

We really hope you’ve got all the information you need and are feeling excited about starting the next stage of your journey with us at UCA.

If you’d like to apply to become a student here, there are a few things you need to do. So, we’ve put together this checklist of tasks for you to tick off as you go.

5.

Come to your applicant day

You may be invited to an interview, where you’ll learn more about your course and meet the tutors.

4.

Read your offer email carefully

If your application is successful, you’ll receive an offer email from us that explains the full terms and conditions of your offer. You can also find details of your offer in your UCA Applicant Portal.

Accept your offer

For UCAS applications, accept by logging into UCAS Track

OR

For direct applications, accept using the task in your Applicant Portal.

International students: Pay your tuition fee deposit

Receive your CAS number

– Use your CAS number to apply for a visa.

Apply for accommodation

As soon as you can apply for accommodation, we’ll contact you to let you know. This is usually in March for courses starting in September.

7.

Apply for a student loan

To apply, visit: gov.uk/student-finance

Confirm your accommodation

For halls or local accommodation, make sure you’ve: Made your advance payment

– Confirmed your moving in date.

9.

Take your place at UCA Settle into your accommodation

Enrol on your course

– Meet your new friends Enjoy your creative journey!

Entry requirements

When looking at whether to offer you a place on one of our courses, we’ll consider your academic credentials.

Here’s a breakdown of the usual academic requirements for each of our courses.

Integrated Foundation Year of a BA/BSc (Hons) degree:

– A-level results adding up to 64 UCAS tariff points

– Or a Diploma in Art & Design –Foundation Studies (Level 3 or 4) with a Pass

Or a BTEC Extended Diploma/ BTEC National Extended Diploma with Merit | Pass | Pass

BA/BSc (Hons) degrees

A-level results adding up to 112 UCAS tariff points

Or a Diploma in Art & Design –Foundation Studies (Level 3 or 4) with a Pass

–

Or a BTEC Extended Diploma/ BTEC National Extended Diploma with Distinction | Merit | Merit

BA (Hons) Business Innovation & Management (Top Up)

– 240 credits from a relevant degree (120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5), with a minimum of 55% overall

Or a Foundation Degree in a relevant subject

Or a Higher National Diploma in a relevant subject

–

–

Or a UAL Extended Diploma with a Pass

Or a combination of accepted Level 3 qualifications adding up to 64 UCAS tariff points

Or an IB (International Baccalaureate) with a score of 24 or above

And:

Four GCSE passes at grade 9 to 4 and/or A* to C, including English (or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2)

Or a UAL Extended Diploma with a Merit

Or an Access to Higher Education Diploma

Or a combination of accepted Level 3 qualifications adding up to 112 UCAS tariff points

– Or an IB (International Baccalaureate) with a score of 27–30 (at least 15 IB points at Higher Level)

And: Four GCSE passes at grade 9 to 4 and/or A* to C, including English (or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2)

International students

International students can view typical entry requirements by country on our website. If your first language is not English, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language ability –usually a total score of 6.0 on the IELTS for UKVI Academic or IELTS Academic tests, with no less than 5.5 in any component. More information on our English language entry requirements and other evidence we can accept is available at: uca.ac.uk

Other qualifications

We can consider other relevant and equivalent UK/EU/international qualifications on an individual basis.

Sometimes, we make offers with lower entry requirements to students who have faced difficulties that have affected their performance, and who were expected to achieve higher results.

Open Days

Coming to an Open Day - whether virtually or in person - is a great way to find out more about UCA, the courses we offer, and whether this is the right place for you.

Whether you visit us in person or attend our online events, you’ll get a feel for life in our creative community and a taste of how our courses can help you turn your passions into an exciting and impactful career.

In-person Open Days

If you decide to come to an in-person open day, you’ll need to book a place on our website. It’s easy and free to do, and you’ll be able to register for any talks you’d like to go along to at the same time – from course-specific presentations to more general ones about life at UCA and funding your studies.

There will also be campus and accommodation tours, and a subject exhibition where you can meet lecturers and chat to our student ambassadors about what life here is really like.

Chat to a student: uca.ac.uk/chat

Explore our online talks: uca.ac.uk/ events/future-students

UCA Open Days 2022/23

Saturday 26th November 2022

– Wednesday 18th January 2023

Wednesday 26th April 2023

– Saturday 17th June 2023

Saturday 1st July 2023

Book your place

UCA Farnham

Heathrow Airport UCA Farnham

London Channel Tunnel

Maidstone Television Studios

UCA Canterbury Gatwick Airport

UCA Epsom

Heathrow Airport

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visit uca.ac.uk

WITH

Join us at #UCAlive

run live Q&A sessions where

can ask us anything you like about what it’s like to live and study here at UCA. Visit our

and follow us on social media to find out about our next #UCAlive session.

Chat with our students

you’re looking to find out more about student life at UCA, our Unibuddy scheme gives you the chance to chat with people who are studying here right now.

chat with a student in your subject area, visit: uca.ac.uk/chat