Creative Futures

School of Creative Industries / Creative Futures

Jobs in the creative industries are diverse and exciting. Art and design graduates find work in advertising and marketing; crafts; product, fashion and graphic design; TV, film and radio; gaming and animation; photography; visual arts; illustration and publishing; museums and galleries; and teaching.

The Creative Industries contributed £115.9bn in GVA to the UK economy in 2019, which is greater than aerospace, automotive, life sciences and oil and gas sectors combined.

Source: Creative UK

The Creative Industries generate £21.2bn in turnover every year, and people employ over 2 million in the UK. The creative industries are an important part of the West Midlands too providing around 50,000 jobs, and generating over £4 billion “gross value added”.

Source: Arts Council

For every 1 job directly created by the arts and culture industry, an additional 1.65 jobs are supported in the wider economy.

Source: Arts Council

The creative industries - including film, TV, music, fashion and design, arts, architecture, publishing, advertising, video games and crafts - are an undoubted strength of our economy; indeed, they are at the heart of the nation’s competitive advantage.

Source: Government Policy Paper (Creative Industries Sector Deal)

The creative industries are at the heart of the UK’s competitive advantage, and - in the face of technological transformation at home and new possibilities globally - represent a major strategic opportunity.

Source: Government Policy Paper (Creative Industries Sector Deal)

Graduates from the School of Creative Industries work in a huge variety of interesting and fulfilling roles where they can apply their creativity and interests. Take a look at some of the career journeys of our graduates below to get a sense of what might be possible in your career.

Graduate stories

Lisa Barrett

Chris Day

Kate Farrell

Portrait of Photography graduate, Dan Eccleston he is smiling

Glenn Rossington

Basia Ulczok

Elliot Walker

Samuel Walsh

Portrait of Photography graduate, Brodie Weatherill she is smiling

Lisa Barrett

Student photographed in the motion capture suite, in the Screen school

Fine Art student sketching at their desk whilst chewing a pen

What happens on an arts, design and media degree?

Throughout your course you will be taught industry specific skills and work towards building a great portfolio of work

All our courses build career learning into their curriculum and you will have the chance to learn about the creative industries and build robust career plans that’ll help you achieve your goals.

There are also opportunities to hear guest speakers from industry, take part in creative briefs, undertake work experience, enter competitions and showcase your work in exhibitions.

The curriculum is geared towards your career success!

Our courses

Undergraduate Courses

Postgraduate Courses

Arts Foundation Courses

Inspiration for your creative career

The creative industries are exciting, vibrant and developing all the time, providing huge societal benefit, and creating new jobs in response to new technology and ideas.

There is a plethora of creative roles available to arts, design and media graduates, so you can be very optimistic about your career after University.

But first – let’s look at how a degree in an art, design or a screen based subject can help you get that amazing job in the creative industries?

When you enrol on one of our degrees you will start off learning lots of practical skills in our specialist workshops – academic and technical staff will be on hand to support and guide you through the process – it doesn’t always go right first time but as a student in our school you’ll find there’s lots of time in the week to practice!

As you move through the course you will be encouraged to use these skills and apply them to projects. In the early stages we will give you projects to work with but increasingly you will have the freedom to develop your own ideas and concerns through your work – when your skills and ideas come together your work will really start to become your own and you’ll find no-one else is doing the same thing as you!

When you join our school you join a creative community – you learn from your peer group, and other students working alongside you in studios and workshops but also you’ll be given lots of opportunities to work together and bring your different skills to the collective table to pull off more ambitious projects.

Every student in the school of art will have the opportunity to work on a ‘live project’ and get some ‘real-world’ experience. This might be a public exhibition, competition or commission, a work placement or you may find yourself working on a design brief set by someone from industry. These projects provide you with great feedback on your work from creative professionals and sometimes you’ll even find you get paid for your designs or even get offered a job (not to mention a great looking project in your portfolio)!

Finally, alongside all your course work you’ll need to become a ‘bit of an expert’ in your field. You’ll need to know about other artists and designers, something of the history of your subject (and its future) and how to talk to people about your own work and interests, write good applications and proposals for work – a graduate needs to be able to talk the talk and walk the walk! Throughout your degree you will have opportunities to travel to great events and exhibitions, challenge your thinking in our lecture and seminar programmes, listen to professional speakers and research and develop your own area of creative practice.

All this culminates in your launch pad into the creative world - a great Degree Show, a professional portfolio and a CV full of experiences and individuality.

These are some of the skills and attributes you gain on an arts, design or media course

Idea generation
Conceptual skills
Research skills
Creative problem solving
Project management
Managing time and deadlines
IT skills
Applying technology to design
Commercial awareness
Entrepreneurial skills
Working independently
Formulating independent judgements
Presenting your work visually, orally and in writing
Responding to a brief
Team working skills
Communication
Collaboration
Using your own initiative
Self motivation
Organising your workload
Prioritisation skills
Competence in using materials, media, tools and technologies
The ability to organise your work and manage your time effectively
Design processes
Lateral thinking
Leadership
Taking onboard criticism
Pitching ideas and solutions
Continuous learning
Flexible thinking
Resilience
Digital fluidity

Here are a selection of jobs WSA graduates were in 6 months after graduating

Running own pottery business
Trainee Ceramicist
Visual Merchandiser
Assistant Designer
Student Welfare Assistant in a school
Assistant Designer
Brand Specialist
Creative Assistant
Graduate Intern
Surface Pattern Designer
Teaching Assistant
Textiles Teacher
Visual Merchandiser
Freelance Artist
Accounts Manager in a hospital
Graduate Intern at a university
Support Worker for a mental health charity
Graphic Designer
Design and Marketing Manager
Administrator
Graphic Designer
Freelance Illustrator
Reprographics Assistant
Surveyor
Interior Designer
Junior Furniture Designer
Disability Assessor
Disability Adviser
Photography Assistant
Photographer
Photographer and General Assistant in a photography studio
Photographic Lab Assistant
Trainee Digital Marketer
Visual Merchandiser
Volunteer Promotional Assistant for a performing arts society
Design and Technical Manager
Product Designer
Design Engineer
Draughtswoman and Designer
Furniture Design Authoriser
Animator
Junior Creative Assistant at a fashion retailer
Poster Designer
Rep Supervisor for an online retailer
E-learning technologist
Game Artist
Level Designer
Inventory Control for an engineering company
Business Support Administrator
Curriculum leader
Customer Adviser
Editorial Assistant
Marketing Account Manager
Marketing and Internet Research Officer
Marketing Assistant
Personal Assistant to a Government Minister
PR Account Executive
Promotional Assistant for a newspaper
Recruitment Officer
Researcher for an arts development agency
Self-employed film writer
Social Media Assistant
Teaching assistant
Trainee Manager
Video Technician
Graduate Intern for independent charity
Videographer
Box Office Assistant
Business Support Administrator
Curriculum leader
Customer Adviser
Editorial Assistant
Marketing Account Manager
Marketing and Internet Research Officer
Marketing Assistant
Personal Assistant to a Government Minister
PR Account Executive
Promotional Assistant for a newspaper
Recruitment Officer
Researcher for an arts development agency
Self employed film writer
Social Media Assistant
Teaching assistant
Trainee Manager
Video editor
Media production intern
Trainee journalist
Media Technician
Administrator
Event Programmer
Student Records Intern
DJ

Female student working on a large abstract painting of mostly orange, blue and purple

2 students, one male one female, recording a TV newslot in the TV studio in the screen school

Gain industry experience before you graduate!

Live Briefs, Placements, Commissions, Projects and Competitions

We provide opportunities for our students to experience professional practice and work on subject-specific live briefs led by external clients. In addition, there are numerous opportunities to undertake professional placements and engage with interdisciplinary collaborative practice.

Enabling students to gain experience, develop skills and build confidence, forming a solid foundation on which to begin their creative journey.

Live Briefs include

Placements include

Our Commissions include

Our Projects include

Competitions include

Links with Industry

Discover how we empower creative careers through strong industry connections.

Students using the recording in the radio studio

Outstanding Facilities

We have outstanding facilities, including purpose-built workshops, specialist equipment and dedicated studio spaces

Illustration exhibition at 2019 School of Art Degree Show

Degree Show 2023

The Degree Show is a chance to see the work of our talented graduates in Animation, Illustration, Fine Art and more

Signpost with arrows that point you in direction of support for your creative journey

Helping you on your way

As well as the work you have done on your course, employers and clients want to see that you have sharpened your skills through extra-curricular projects, work experience and activities.

There are so many things you can get involved with to help you on your way, and there is support throughout your course and after graduation.

Whether you would like to speak to us about creative career options, how to get started in a particular field, work experience, job seeking or promoting yourself effectively for opportunities, there are appointments available daily.

Book at: www.wlv.ac.uk/careerspace.

Career SPACE is our careers information portal containing career pathway videos, interactive tools, and information and advice on a multitude of career topics.

See www.wlv.ac.uk/careerspace.

If you are a final year student or recent graduate, tap into all of the support available to you through booking a careers coaching appointment. We will help you clarify your goals, make a plan to achieve these and, if you would like to, have regular meetings to keep you feeling positive

See The Class of 2023 programme

Volunteering is a great way to practice your skills outside of your university course. Opportunities are with local and national charities and available in areas such as branding, web design, social media content creation, videography, photography, events co-ordination, mentoring, befriending and workshop facilitation.

See our volunteering section

Register with the University’s jobs board for a wide range of jobs, including graduate jobs, part time, internships, summer work and work on campus. The Jobs Board is a quick way to see creative and non creative jobs with employers who are particularly keen to recruit UoW students and graduates. If you’d like a part time job to earn some money whilst you study this is also the best place to look.

See www.wlv.ac.uk/jobsboard

In response to the pandemic and the trend for home working, many companies are now offering virtual experience opportunities. These range from 6 hours to 12 weeks and allow you to gain an insight into working for a particular company or industry. A wide range of companies and charities are offering these opportunities, right across the world.

See our virtual-opportunities section

Freelancing is working as a self-employed professional for multiple employers working full-time or part-time.

The Enterprise Department can help you reflect on your existing talents and hone your skills to begin your own viable business and turn your passion into a profit. Enjoy the work life balance: the flexibility, the autonomy, and the greater job satisfaction.

We are here to help you enhance your entrepreneurial flair.

See our Enterprise section

Creative Futures

Encouragement and insight to make your creative career a reality!

A great way to understand the opportunities available and how to start you career is to hear from people working in creative fields.

ArtsFest Online hosts a series of Creative Futures career talks where creatives share insider knowledge on forging a career pathway within the arts.

These talks are led by professionals working in the creative industries, many Wolverhampton graduates. Learn about their career journeys so far, the challenges they have faced and how they made it happen.