Study Creative Arts, why & how to study

CONTENTS

1. What’s Creative Arts?

2. What Creative Arts degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a Creative Arts degree?

4. What topics does a Creative Arts degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Creative Arts?

7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Creative Arts degree?

8. What do Creative Arts graduates earn?

9. What jobs can you get as a Creative Arts graduate?

10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

11. Similar subjects to Creative Arts

12. Have any questions?

What’s Creative Arts?

Creative arts encompasses a wide range of artistic disciplines including visual arts, performing arts, music, design, and media. The subject explores things like paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, music compositions, dance performances, theatrical productions, films, animations, graphic designs, and digital media projects.

A degree in Creative Arts will provide you with opportunities to produce works of art that develop your creativity and imagination so you can communicate your ideas as well as explore new ways of thinking and seeing the world. You’ll also be encouraged to interpret and analyse various existing art forms thinking about the historical and cultural context.

What Creative Arts degrees can you study?

Undergraduate Creative Arts degrees on offer in the UK include:

• Creative Arts and Humanities BA
• Creative Arts and Industries MA
• Creative Arts Practice BA

Options may include an integrated foundation year or professional placement year.

What do you need to get onto a Creative Arts degree?

Must have

Entry requirements for a Creative Arts degree at a university typically range from 56–168 UCAS points. This could include:

• A Levels: A*A*A*–DC
• BTECs: DDD–MM
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA– BCD (Advanced Highers: AAA–DD)
• International Baccalaureate: 45-31
• Most universities will ask to see a portfolio of your work

Good to have

• Evidence of how your creative and artistic skills and knowledge are developing through independent research, courses or online learning
• Finding out about careers through the websites of professional bodies like the Crafts Council, Artquest or the Artist's Information Company (a-n)
• Entering exhibitions or taking part in competitions
• Volunteering or work experience/shadowing related employers or freelance artists in a range of settings like a gallery, design agency, print workshop or supporting art clubs for children or families
• If eligible, attending an art summer school run by the Sutton Trust

What topics does a Creative Arts degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• 2D and 3D practice
• Graphic design practice
• Mixed media textiles practice
• Live art practice
• Printmaking
• Ceramics
• Creative writing
• Photography
• Music
• Creativity and culture
• Key concepts in cultural theory
• Global arts
• Business and marketing skills for creatives

How will you be assessed?

Depending on your modules, you could be assessed through:

• Coursework
• Essays
• Exams
• Group work
• Practical projects
• Portfolios
• Presentations
• A dissertation is usually a final year option

Why study Creative Arts?

Career-specific skills:

• Practical skills in your areas of interest, whether in the use of materials and methods or software and techniques
• Knowledge of historic, contemporary and cultural theory and practice that influences creative direction

Transferable skills:

• Creative and critical thinking
• Communication
• Entrepreneurial and business skills
• Research
• Time management
• Collaboration
• Presentations

Professional accreditations:

• Some universities may have links with professional organisations in the arts rather than accredited degrees

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Creative Arts degree?

Some universities offer Creative Arts students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants so it’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

What do Creative Arts graduates earn?

Creative Arts graduates will have a diverse range of skills and may go into a wide range of careers. Earning potential will depend on your specialism, location, and the size of the company you work for. For example, a community arts worker might earn between £20,000 and £29,000, a junior arts administrator around £20,000–£26,000, and an art therapist with the NHS upwards of £38,682.

Many graduates become self-employed. In this case, your income will vary depending on your networking skills, your capacity to take on clients consistently, and how much you charge.

Read more on what graduates do and earn.

What jobs can you get as a Creative Arts graduate?

A Creative Arts degree will give you a range of possible career opportunities to choose from. Depending on your interests and specialism, you might become:

• Animator
• Art administrator or co-ordinator
• Art therapist
• Content creator
• Creative writer
• Film and video editor
• Illustrator
• Graphic designer
• Multimedia artist
• Photographer
• Printmaker
• Teacher or lecturer

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of postgraduate courses available at universities in the UK:

• MA Creative Arts in Education
• Creative Arts and Mental Health MSc
• Masters by Research Creative Arts
• Doctorate of Creative Arts DCA

Similar subjects to Creative Arts

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

• Acting
• Art and Design
• Communication and Media Studies
• Creative Writing
• Drama, Dance and Cinematics
• Film Making
• History of Art, Architecture and Design
• Music

Have any questions?

Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.

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