Creative Industries London - Study Abroad Module | London College of Communication

College
London College of Communication Level
Open to all levels

Explore. Understand. Communicate. Creative industries are not just about making meaning: they are also about making money. When you join Creative Industries London you’ll get under the skin of contemporary communication practices in one of the most inspiring cities in the world.

This course is ideal if you want to learn more about the Creative Industries for 3 weeks in London and:

you are 18+ and a student

you work, or aspire to work in a creative industry

you have an interest in fashion, art and design

and

you want to study and live in London for 3 weeks.

Why choose Creative Industries London?

This course has been developed specifically for you if you are are joining an Integrated Study Abroad programme at University of the Arts London. You can add the Creative Industries London module at the start of the Autumn term or the end of the Spring term.

With a focus on disruptive design, media and screen industries it is ideal for students joining degrees in media communications, photography, advertising, PR, graphic design, information and interaction design, film, animation and games.

It is ideal for you if you need to gain additional credit or show evidence of intercultural competence.

However you can also join the course if you are not taking one of our Study Abroad programmes, as it works perfectly well as a standalone course.

During this intensive 3-week course you will:

experience studying Creative Industries London here at London College of Communication.
learn from tutors who are practicing in industry; benefit from access to specialist facilities at one of UAL’s six Colleges.
meet like-minded individuals from around the world.
get involved in UAL life through social events and activities.
All courses are assessed and you'll receive a record of study at the end of the programme if you wish to request credit from your home institution.

Course details

Content

Lectures and seminars: creative economy, copyright and copyleft, promotional industries
Workshops: blogging, DSLR photography and video making with smartphones
Visits: East London, creative cooperatives, Bussey Building and Museum of Brands
Individual project: Creative London

Course Aims

To enable you to develop a critical understanding of developments in the media and cultural industries and their economic and political context and significance
To support you to present your research and ideas confidently – in writing, face-to-face and online
To introduce you to a range of contemporary media and communications practices

Learning Outcomes

Awareness of the economic forces which frame the media, cultural and creative industries, and the role of such industries in contemporary political and cultural life (Subject Knowledge)
Ability to critically analyse issues relating to the production, regulation and consumption of media and cultural artefacts (Research, Analysis)
Initiate and realise distinctive creative work in visual or other electronic media (Technical Competence)

Requirements for Assessment

Contribution to online media presence
Presentation of ideas and concept development

Dates and fees

3 weeks, 45 class hours
3 credits – to be awarded by home university
September (Autumn term), January (Spring Term) and March (Spring term)
Location: London College of Communication

Autumn 2021:

Course not running for Autumn 2021.

Spring 2022:

5 – 28 January 2022 | Monday - Friday | 10am - 4pm | 3 Weeks | £1745Apply now

21 March 2022 – 8 April 2022 | Monday - Friday | 10am - 4pm | 3 Weeks | £1745

Apply now

Course handbook

Creative Industries London PDF [706kb] for more course information. Please note that this is a draft copy, the content will be mostly the same, although dates and tutors may vary slightly.

It is your responsibility to make sure that your UAL classes will transfer back to your home institution. In order for your credit to transfer back to your home institution, you and your advisors should read through the course handbook together to have a clear idea about what you will be studying while you are here, before you travel to London. You and your home institution should use the above handbook to determine credit transfer.

The Creative Industries London Study Abroad Module will be included on the record of study that you will receive at the end of your time abroad.

Entry requirements

English requirements

You should be proficient in written and spoken English and be able to participate in group discussions and make presentations. As a guideline we would expect you to have an English language level equivalent to IELTS score of 6.0 (list of language equivalencies). The Language Centre at University of the Arts London offers English courses for overseas students who wish to improve their English language skills.

Academic requirements

You do not need any prior study in media or cultural theory. If you have questions about your academic background, please email the UAL Study Abroad team.

Tutor information

Robert Urquhart

Robert Urquhart is a writer, contributing editor, a strategic consultant and a lecturer teaching BA (Hons) Design Management at UAL London College of Communication. Robert studied for a BA(Hons) in Fine Art at the University of Hertfordshire before moving in to sound design for television, producing sound effects for animations for television, on Channel 4 Learning

Robert then went on to curate an art gallery and programmed events in Hoxton Square, East London at a time when Shoreditch was becoming the hub of creativity that it is known for today. From there he moved into cultural event production, as well as research and development for technology start-ups in London.

In 2005, Robert started writing for design magazines and working in digital advertising as a copywriter, including international campaigns for Skype, Activision and Samsung. Bringing skills in storytelling, production and knowledge of design together, Robert worked for the London Design Festival heading up the new online vision in 2010.

Since then Robert has traveled a lot, lectured, written as a freelance journalist and futurist for many of the world's leading design press, worked as a writer and, latterly, as a strategic consultant working with product designers and architects on large-scale projects in USA.

Currently a contributing editor at Elephant, a quarterly international print magazine dedicated to arts and culture, Robert’s expertise lies in uncovering the narrative within the expanding world of design. Robert is a lecturer of Design Management at University of the Arts London, College of Communication and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Art, Design and Communication from UAL.

Robert won a D&AD award in 2012 for his editorial work.

Lamprini Tzanaki

Lamprini Tzanaki graduated with a BA (Hons) Photography from University of The Arts London, specialising in studio photography and moving image. She now works full-time for the university as a graduate recruitment officer. Her role involves extensive travel to Colleges around the UK and Europe where she leads workshops on photography and mixed media and offers seminars to prospective undergraduate applicants.

Megan St Clair

Megan St Clair is a freelance illustrator and creative media professional. After completing her BA in Fashion Illustration at London College of Fashion, she started a career of a fashion illustrator and social media professional, with clients such as JW Anderson, Dolce and Gabbana, Swarovski amongst others. Megan continues to work across Europe; both as a professional and tutor. She has taught at London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Amsterdam Fashion Institute amongst others. You can see her work here.

Course Outline

Week One

The first week will introduce you to some of the key issues and questions relating to the creative industries: What is the relationship between culture and commerce? What is it like to work in the creative industries, and what are the politics of creative labour? Should culture be free? What is the future of the creative industries in an era of file-sharing and social media?

Through a series of practical workshops, you will be introduced to blog writing and DSLR photography. Our visits to sites of cultural production around London will allow you to start gathering the raw material for your blog.

Week Two

In week two we will look at the way that the promotional industries have helped shape the media and the culture at large. We will also take an in-depth look at the state of two specific creative industries, music and television, and how they have adapted to the new digital media environment

You’ll further develop your practical skills in workshops on videomaking with smart phones, and put these skills to use on research visits around London. At the end of the week you will be briefed on the Creative London project, which will form your assessment at the end of week three.

Week Three

In the final week of the module you will complete an individual project about the creative industries in London. In lectures and seminars we will discuss issues around gentrification, cultural entrepreneurship and the way that the creative industries have shaped the physical and social structure of London. We will visit some of London’s “creative hubs,” where the impact of the creative industries on the fabric of the city has been most profound.

There will be more workshops to help you develop your project on Creative London, and at the end of the week you will be assessed on the presentation of your project, giving you the chance to demonstrate the communication skills you have developed over the three-week course.

Art on Brick Lane

European Art History

This 3-week module offers you the opportunity to engage with the art, history and culture of London and Berlin.
Image credit: Adam Razvi

Integrated Study Abroad

Study alongside local degree-seeking students for 1, 2, or 3 terms and immerse yourself into UK student life.
Image credit: Adam Razvi

Summer Study Abroad

Study from 3 to 8 weeks on one of our summer programmes.

Creative Industries London - Study Abroad Module