BA (Hons) Creative Industries [Top-Up] Degree
Start Date: 1st September 2026
- Length 1 Year
- Study Full-Time
- Location Kidderminster College
More about the course
The BA (Hons) Creative Industries [Top-Up] programme has been designed and developed as a final 'top-up' year progression route for learners who have successfully completed a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree.
Our exclusive one-year course is designed for students who have studied any discipline within the Creative Industries up to level 5, including Music Performance, Music Production/Technology, Dance, Media, Musical Theatre and Drama.
The philosophy of the course is to replicate the first year of industry practice rather than the last year of education. The course has a high focus on industry engagement, which provides a bridge between study and work that is both practical and academic.
The BA (Hons) Creative Industries programme puts you in the driving seat, where you will research and design your own project brief and see it through to completion. Whatever you propose should be closely tied to your career aspirations and the needs of the industry. In this way, the course will give you a professional attitude and the ability to deal with real-life scenarios and commercial ventures.
The course consists of two main elements, which are delivered across 5 modules:
Portfolio - The planning, development and real time completion of an agreed major project
Dissertation - Academic research into an agreed topic, usually directly related to the major project
The majority of taught modules occur during the first semester. The second semester is given over to the realisation of your project and production of a research dissertation. Across both you will work closely with an assigned mentor, who will have industry expertise in your chosen area.
Working and developing in this professional environment will enable you to produce an innovative portfolio of work and gain invaluable knowledge and experience that will help to give you the edge in this competitive market
Entry requirements:
In order to qualify for this Higher Education course you must have:
Successful completion of a Level 5 course: i.e. an HND or Foundation Degree in within the Creative Industries.
Have a passion for the creative industries, which can include music, dance, art etc.
Have a strong work ethic
Be extremely self-motivated
Shortlisted applicants are invited for an audition and interview.
What will I achieve?
Upon successful completion of this degree, you will receive a Level 6 BA (Hons) Creative Industries Degree (awarded by NCG).
What will I learn?
Over the course of the academic year, you will cover:-
CI601 Project Design & Proposal
CI602 Planning a Creative Project
CI603 Research & Dissemination
CI604 Developing a Project
CI605 Professional Project Realisation
The course is delivered across 2 days at Kidderminster College.
There is a high emphasis on independent study whereby students will work towards the completion of an agreed industry focused project and a research dissertation.
Students will be assigned a mentor for both aspects of the programme who will be have sufficient industry experience in the chosen areas of study.
How is the course taught?
Lectures will be a mix of theoretical and practical work.
You will be required to tackle various tasks and assignments throughout the course study period.
You will be taught through presentations, practical demonstrations, independent work, 1:1 support, tutorials and group critiques.
How am I assessed?
Throughout the year you will be working on two projects, a vocational project and a research project. As you progress through these projects you will be assessed at various stages. Assessments will be both practical and written requiring you to produce a combination of both practical portfolios, written reports and presentations.
Work experience opportunities:
The aim of the course is to replicate the first year of working in industry rather than the final year of education, as such you will be working to expected industry standards throughout the course. Depending on the vocational project chosen, you could be working towards a professional performance, working in a professional studio environment, or setting up a creative business.
Where can I progress?
Upon completion of this course you could progress to employment within the industry or onto further study at another institution by applying for a Master’s degree.
Course costs:
Tuition fees vary depending on the course and mode of study. Read more about tuition fees and financial support.
It's important that you know what your tuition fee includes and what other costs you'll need to plan for. Read what your fee includes.
Get in Touch
Meet our tutors and students
Richard Boxley
Tutor - Creative Industries Top-Up & MusicMost of my professional life has been devoted to developing and supporting musicians to thrive and unlock their creative potential, discovering their own unique style and voice. Music is a passion for me, whether it be listening to undiscovered artists, creating music in innovative new ways, or developing the next generation of artists.
What can I do with a qualification in Creative Industries?
Daily tasks:
- Produces works on commission basis for clients.
- Markets and sells finished work directly to customers.
- Liaises with writers and publishers to produce book illustrations.
- Uses artistic skills to restore damaged artworks.
- Approaches managers of galleries and exhibitions in order to get finished work displayed.
- Builds up composition into finished work by carving, sculpting, etching, painting, engraving, drawing, etc..
- Prepares sketches, scale drawings or colour schemes.
- Selects appropriate materials, medium and method.
- Onceives and develops ideas and ways of working for artistic composition.
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Daily tasks:
- Selects, contracts, markets and arranges for the presentation and/or distribution of performance, visual and heritage arts.
- Manages health and safety issues.
- Ensures necessary equipment, props, performers and technical staff are on set when required.
- Prepares rehearsal and production schedule for main events, design of sets and costumes, technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals.
- Breaks script into scenes and formulates a shooting schedule that will be most economical in terms of time, location and sets.
- Directs actors, designers, camera team, sound crew and other production and technical staff to achieve desired effects.
- Chooses writers, scripts, technical staff and performers, and assumes overall responsibility for completion of project on time and within budget.
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Daily tasks:
- Operates sound mixing and dubbing equipment to obtain desired mix, level and balance of sound.
- Manages health and safety issues.
- Operates equipment to record, edit and play back films and television programmes.
- Checks operation and positioning of projectors, vision and sound recording equipment, and mixing and dubbing equipment.
- Controls transmission, broadcasting and satellite systems for television and radio programmes, identifies and solves related technical problems.
- Takes, records and manipulates digital images and digital video footage.
- Photographs subject or follows action by moving camera.
- Operates scanning equipment to transfer image to computer and manipulates image to achieve the desired effect.
- Inserts lenses and adjusts aperture and speed settings as necessary.
- Arranges subject, lighting, camera equipment and any microphones.
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What can I do with a qualification in Creative Industries?
Artists
Daily tasks:
- Produces works on commission basis for clients.
- Markets and sells finished work directly to customers.
- Liaises with writers and publishers to produce book illustrations.
- Uses artistic skills to restore damaged artworks.
- Approaches managers of galleries and exhibitions in order to get finished work displayed.
- Builds up composition into finished work by carving, sculpting, etching, painting, engraving, drawing, etc..
- Prepares sketches, scale drawings or colour schemes.
- Selects appropriate materials, medium and method.
- Onceives and develops ideas and ways of working for artistic composition.
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Arts Officers, Producers and Directors
Daily tasks:
- Selects, contracts, markets and arranges for the presentation and/or distribution of performance, visual and heritage arts.
- Manages health and safety issues.
- Ensures necessary equipment, props, performers and technical staff are on set when required.
- Prepares rehearsal and production schedule for main events, design of sets and costumes, technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals.
- Breaks script into scenes and formulates a shooting schedule that will be most economical in terms of time, location and sets.
- Directs actors, designers, camera team, sound crew and other production and technical staff to achieve desired effects.
- Chooses writers, scripts, technical staff and performers, and assumes overall responsibility for completion of project on time and within budget.
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Photographers, Audio-visual and Broadcasting Equipment Operators
Daily tasks:
- Operates sound mixing and dubbing equipment to obtain desired mix, level and balance of sound.
- Manages health and safety issues.
- Operates equipment to record, edit and play back films and television programmes.
- Checks operation and positioning of projectors, vision and sound recording equipment, and mixing and dubbing equipment.
- Controls transmission, broadcasting and satellite systems for television and radio programmes, identifies and solves related technical problems.
- Takes, records and manipulates digital images and digital video footage.
- Photographs subject or follows action by moving camera.
- Operates scanning equipment to transfer image to computer and manipulates image to achieve the desired effect.
- Inserts lenses and adjusts aperture and speed settings as necessary.
- Arranges subject, lighting, camera equipment and any microphones.
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Good to know
Higher Education Funding
Student Support
Travel and Transport
Entry Requirements for Higher Education
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