Summary
- Faculty of Performance, Media & English
- School
- Birmingham School of Media
- Duration
- Full Time: 1 year
Part Time: 2 years
- Fees
- Please contact the Faculty for information:
Tel: +44 (0)121 331 7279
Email: media@bcu.ac.uk
Overview
The MA Media and Creative Enterprise programme focuses on developing individuals’ skills and confidence for professional development in the creative and media industries.
The course is designed to develop entrepreneurial skills for those planning to set up a creative business, go freelance or who want to be more entrepreneurial within their existing venture.
It is specifically aimed at those working in the creative sector, such as design, media, crafts, music industry, publishing, graphic design, film and animation, as practitioners, managers or consultants.
This course is appropriate for any stage of an individual’s career. It can act as an aid to launching a business, help those moving between careers or enrich an existing role in business.
Key Facts
This highly flexible course is for anyone looking to start or improve their career in the creative sector. Those who have already started up and are in business will be able to work on new or existing projects within their existing workload, while developing entrepreneurial skills.
The PgCert/PgDip/MA Media and Creative Enterprise is part of a wider suite of postgraduate programmes within the Birmingham School of Media.
All these courses seek to develop reflective professionals in the media, creative and cultural industries, who can operate at the forefront of the academic discipline and of professional practice.
The content and approach of the curriculum focuses strongly on enterprise skills, engagement with new communication technologies and promoting innovation. One of the key benefits of the course is the networking and exchange of ideas between students, lecturers and guest speakers.
Course Outline
Course Structure
The course involves high-level practice and theory, including live projects. Understanding of the cultural, economical and technological frameworks of the creative and cultural industries is applied to enhance creative and business opportunities.
In the Postgraduate Certificate phase you gain a critical overview of how media, social and creative enterprises operate. You can evaluate business and investment opportunities and facilitate growth through innovation and creativity.
In the Postgraduate Diploma phase there is the option of developing a virtual business, working on live briefs or working on a research project.
You will learn what it takes to be a cultural entrepreneur and how to apply your skills such as project management and finance to either a start-up business or to inform management and policy decisions within your organization.
The Masters phase focuses on setting up a company, developing an existing business or introducing enterprise initiatives into your organization.
Modules
Each taught module consists of 10 class sessions, in which students will be introduced to topics through lectures, seminar discussions and workshop activities.
There will often be guest lectures from leading practitioners in the field and we place a strong emphasis on lecturer and peer review of student presentations and work-in-progress.
These sessions are supported by structured material available on the university’s Moodle on-line system.
Each week, students are set independent study tasks, often based upon production activities, and there are two further weeks of directed study.
Many modules make significant use of new social media, and students will be asked frequently to contribute to fora, write blogs, or produce podcasts to chart personal and professional development. They will also examine and comment on the work of their peers.
| Creative Industries and Cultural Policy |
Enterprise |
| (30 credits) |
(30 credits) |
| Cultural Enterprise |
Production Lab or Research Methods |
| (30 credits) |
(30 credits) |
| MA by Practice or MA by Dissertation |
| (60 credits) |
Assessments
Assessments usually emphasise scholarly or professional practice through which the key learning objectives are tested. Three weeks are set aside for assessment work.
Placements
Full-time students have the opportunity to undertake placements during the postgraduate Diploma phase of the course.
Staff
Annette Naudin
Course Director in MA Media & Creative Enterprise
Annette Naudin is Award Leader of the MA in Media and Creative Enterprise Course with the School of Media. After setting up a textiles business Annette Naudin gained experience as a creative industries consultant running short courses before moving into academia.
"In the creative sector, people are much more motivated by creativity or cultural production and tend not to be focussed on developing high grossing businesses although that can happen too."
"Its about enabling them to do what they want as a creative person, and for the students at the University it's about developing those broad skills, giving them confidence to go into their chosen field. We are encouraging them to take risks and try something new and most importantly to experiment in the confines of this supportive environment."
"We can create an environment to develop people's careers, often as freelancers, and entrepreneurial attributes. All of us have the potential to be entrepreneurial whether that be to work within an organisation, to set up a social enterprise, work freelance or to start a new venture. In the School of Media, we look at entrepreneurship in a different way from the popular media concept of programmes such as Dragon's Den."
"Employers don't just want people with a specific set of skills; they want them to have the ability to learn, to progress and to engage with new ways of thinking."
Students are not confined in the "University bubble", they are required to network with appropriate sectors in the creative community and are encouraged to set up their own networks. It means they have developed vital contacts and are more prepared to enter the world of work.
Alumni also return to the school to talk to students about their experiences and are used as case studies. Annette is developing her own network of contacts across the globe and using it to extol the message about Birmingham City University being a world class innovative institution.
"There are opportunties to develop European partners and that is exciting. We have got a lot to offer and learn by working with our European partners in curriculum development for the creative industries."
After your studies
Further Studies
For anyone interested in taking their research interests forward into an MPhil or PhD speak to the course director about your particular area of expertise.
Employment Opportunities
Completing this course will provide graduates with an in-depth understanding of the practical and theoretical frameworks that guide the setting-up and running of a successful creative business or social enterprise.
This is a highly flexible course, which emphasises individuals’ personal and professional development, they will also have developed an awareness about how creative businesses operate.
How to apply
Entry Requirements
Candidates should have a First or Second Class degree and two references and/or, appropriate professional experience, other qualifications or achievements, as judged by the MA Media and Creative Enterprise team.
Applicants are advised to read around the subject of media enterprise. International Students need a minimum IELTS level of 6.5.
Application Details
Please apply direct to faculty:
Online Application Form
Telephone: +44 (0)121 331 7279
Email: media@bcu.ac.uk
For general information about applying to study at Birmingham City University, please refer to the Making your Application section.
International enquirers may contact the International Office for further help and advice.
Fees Notes
For information on postgraduate fees please contact the faculty: Telephone: +44 (0)121 331 7279 Email: media@bcu.ac.uk
Further Information
More course details can be found on mediacourses.com
Birmingham School of Media
Birmingham City University
City North Campus
Perry Barr
Birmingham
B42 2SU
Telephone: +44 (0)121 331 7279
Fax: +44 (0)121 331 6501
Email: media@bcu.ac.uk