Creative and Cultural Industries (MA)

How will I be taught?

All teaching is informed by research and academic rigour, and lecturers are experts in their field – both as practitioners and academics. Teaching is also supported by policy makers and industry professionals, including (but not limited to) experts from Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy.

We apply a unique mapping of academic rigour, research and analysis and then move this theoretical underpinning into practical ‘real world’ applications.

Our experiential approach to teaching ensures you ‘learn-by-doing’. This means you'll develop as effective and confident creative forces in your own right.

The learning process is centred on creative practice ‘as learning’, you'll move through a process of creation, evaluation and analysis. You’ll feel empowered to recognise your own unique contribution to the creative and cultural industries and develop practical and academic skills by mapping the usefulness of these skills to real life scenarios, projects and case studies. With a firm connection to the creative and cultural industries in Cardiff and beyond, our programme is supported by visiting guest lecturers, networking opportunities, expert panels and formative feedback based in industry relevance.

Each module involves a pairing of academic material with various case study analyses. This practical application of learning will be assessed through real-life, industry-relevant assignments. You’ll gain insight and experience in presentation skills, pitching skills, social media management, preparing funding and project proposals, research and analysis, and being involved in freelance work experience as practice within the field.

Teaching will be through a mix of lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group supervisions.

 

How will I be assessed?

We’re committed to a ‘learning-by-doing' approach to assessments. This means that assessments are your opportunity to demonstrate and apply learning from our programme through the development of industry skills such as: presentations, responding to industry briefs, writing funding and project proposals and conducting independent research.

To demonstrate the learning outcomes have been met there are a range of learning styles embedded in the design of assessments. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in a range of written, spoken, project work, and creative assignments, carried out individually or as part of a group. This diversity of assessment is similar to the industry environment where the communication of materials should also consider the access needs of audiences and future clients.

Formative assessment will be provided throughout the modules at specific points to guide you in how to perform to the best of your capacity in summative assessments.

How will I be supported?

Feedback will ensure you understand what you achieved well, what was lacking and clear guidelines on how the work submitted could be improved for future assessments. This summative feedback will be given in written form. Formative feedback will also have face to face opportunities for discussion and evaluation within workshops and peer review.

You'll be assigned a personal tutor who you’ll meet at least once a semester. We also offer other support such as academic writing support with access to the Royal Literary Fellow, an independent writing expert who can guide you in written expression. All students who request it will be allocated a Welsh speaking personal tutor.

The University’s range of support services, located in the Centre for Student Life, will also be available to you covering topics including health and wellbeing, money matters, advice and guidance, and disability matters.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you'll achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you'll develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Evaluate contemporary issues and debates that inform discussions about the creative and cultural industries, with an awareness of their environmental and economic implications.
• Critically analyse industry developments and concepts through relevant theoretical frameworks, applying foundational knowledge from scholarly research within the creative and cultural sectors.
• Experiment with contemporary creative practices and production models, ensuring alignment with client and audience needs while cultivating a distinct personal identity and online presence.
• Adopt a reflexive approach to recognise and address the diverse needs of clients and audiences, integrating their perspectives into creative processes.
• Demonstrate entrepreneurial thinking by developing and implementing effective strategies for knowledge sharing and dissemination which are accessible, sustainable, and relevant in a digital context.

Intellectual Skills:

• Engage critically with key debates, principles, theories, and practices in the creative and cultural industries, positioning oneself as an emerging specialist in the field.
• Evaluate strategies, practices, and methods within the creative and cultural sectors, applying insights to enhance personal entrepreneurial ventures and research.
• Synthesise knowledge from professional and academic contexts to generate innovative insights, fostering a holistic understanding that bridges global and local perspectives.
• Analyse and address creative challenges while considering ethical implications, including cultural, human rights, economic, and environmental factors, making informed decisions in uncertain situations.
• Cultivate adaptability and self-reflection throughout the process of developing and executing industry-relevant projects, employing diverse collaborative research methods.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Select and apply creative techniques, methods, and practical approaches to generate original insights through ethical scholarship, nonlinear storytelling, and digital methods in the creative and cultural industries.
• Conduct independent research across various platforms, focusing on a critical examination of creative projects and digital technologies, embracing innovation and risk-taking.
• Create a variety of digital assets to communicate knowledge and creativity, utilising advanced digital production tools to establish a professional presence while committing to environmental sustainability and accessibility.
• Communicate effectively in diverse contexts, employing suitable formats and considering audience needs, including an awareness of bilingualism, to present ideas and findings clearly.
• Foster environments that promote personal and professional adaptability, creativity, and self-reflection in the conception, production, and delivery of industry-relevant projects.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Demonstrate initiative and self-direction in personal learning and development, reflecting on practices that consider accessibility and sustainability standards.
• Identify suitable methodologies for projects based on their scope and scale, managing necessary resources effectively for successful completion.
• Assess situations and solve problems by showcasing innovative solutions and sound critical judgment in both independent and collaborative contexts.
• Produce creative and academic work that meets specified requirements, maintaining proper referencing and embracing accessible and environmentally conscious problem-solving approaches.
• Encourage collaboration by negotiating shared outcomes, actively listening, and confidently setting goals and managing tasks.