Creative Advertising and Art Direction, BA Hons
Our Creative Advertising degree blends practice, theory and industry knowledge to prepare you for careers in the creative industries.
Co-designed with internationally renowned advertising agency M&C Saatchi, our Creative Advertising and Art Direction degree has a strong employment focus, and an important feature is that you will spend time with practitioners from a range of creative agencies. Previous years have included M&C Saatchi, Ogilvy, Saatchi & Saatchi, The&Partnership, Cravens, Landor and Fitch amongst others.
You will learn how to produce advertising and creative content, in a range of media, to enable you to be adaptable for any creative department for a diverse range of audiences. You can specialise in art direction, copywriting, moving image, experiential, digital content and a variety of other visual and written branded communications. Your skills are built up over practical modules, critical and research modules and industry modules. There is a lot to learn but we all believe it should be fun.
Graduates will be able to pursue careers in private and public companies, for creative advertising agencies, 360° agencies, experiential, content and digital agencies and for the charity sector.
UCAS points
112 (full requirements below)
Course/institution codes
W201 G BA/CAAD
School
Location
Duration
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
Start month
September
Home fees 2024/25
£9,250
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
You will be taught by an experienced team of academics, industry teaching professionals and current advertising creatives. Our teaching is informed by research, consultancy work and the day-to-day business of advertising. The team employs a range of innovative teaching and learning methods, and this has been built in to the design of the programme. The majority of our lecturers hold teaching qualifications.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
- 112 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, Access to HE and all other qualifications with UCAS Tariff points.
- In addition, you will need: GCSE English Language/Literature at grade 4/C. Equivalent qualifications may be considered.
- Mentees from the collaborative M&C Saatchi/UOG programme ‘The Carbon Academy’ starting from 2022, will be given special consideration with a reduced tariff of 16 UCAS Tariff points.
Contextual Admissions
- We make Contextual offers to this programme. Applicants that meet specific eligibility criteria will be made a contextual offer with a reduced tariff of up to 16 UCAS Tariff points. Other entry requirements such as GCSEs, Interview, etc., will still need to be met. For further information, please see our Contextual Admissions Policy.
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
- Application and selection: Suitable applicants will be required to submit a portfolio of ten creative pieces, including a one minute self tape explaining your reasons for wanting to join the course. The remaining creative pieces can be in any medium and should include, from art & design to creative writing to tiktoks and short films.
Available to overseas students?
No
Can I use Prior Learning?
For entry: applicants with professional qualifications and/or four years of full-time work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
For exemption: If you hold qualifications or courses from another higher education institution, these may exempt you from courses of this degree.
How you will learn
Teaching
Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
This degree is largely studio-based. The number of lecturers available for support in the studio varies depending on the intake each year. We intend a ratio of 1 for every 22 students. Students also take part in shared / collaborative modules with students on other creative arts courses. These collaborative classes are taken by around 70 students, with workshops and lab sessions working in smaller groups of around 22-25 students.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate time to self-study. This will include working on visual projects, writing and group-work.
Working through the studio sessions on a regular basis is essential. Each week builds on the previous week so it is important not to get behind. We recommend that you read widely to keep on top of the subject.
In addition, during the week you can also:
- Attend additional support classes in some modules
- Attend guest lectures from industry experts
- Take part in employability and enterprise workshops
- Join student societies
- You can use studios, our Stockwell Street Library and online resources to support your self-study.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying. Each module you study towards this degree is worth 30-credits. They represent around 300 study hours respectively. If you receive 100 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 200 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
Students are assessed through a combination of assessment methods depending on the modules chosen.
You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Official statistics on Discover Uni
Full time
Part time
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
| Full time | Part time | Distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | £9,250 | £2,312 per 30 credits | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from just over £100 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Trips: There are a number of trips to galleries to inform students. There are also visits and sessions in a range of creative agencies. The main requirement for all of these is some form of travelcard and occasionally may involve an entrance fee.
For creative courses, you will produce portfolios of creative work. You may be required to print your work out in colour for presentation, costs will vary but could reach £50 a year for printing.
Software: We provide Adobe software and Linkedin Learning online video tutorials. You will also have access to Adobe Creative Cloud. Any licenses for software outside of our range will come at your own cost.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
We have two dedicated modules that give experience of agency work and address professional practices, establishing networks, and development of creative advertising portfolios.
In addition, in Year 2, students respond to a series of live industry briefs and attend award shows – Our lecturers have had a number of student winners for D&AD competitions.
M&C Saatchi and other agencies will take a small number of competitive placements from the degree group between year 2 and year 3.
How long is my placement?
Work-based learning module placements normally last a week to a month depending on the individual companies.
What are the financial arrangements?
Dependent on individual companies.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Graduates will be able to pursue careers in private and public companies, for traditional agencies, 360° agencies, experiential, content and digital agencies and for the charity sector.
Industry Skills and Mentoring
The unique partnership with industry means you will be supported in your live projects by current working creatives. You will also have presentations and advice from professionals from the broad range of creative professions that feed into advertising and branding work. You will get to present to industry and clients and come to feel more at home in these environments.
Are internships available?
Students are encouraged to take up Summer internships during the Summer holidays, though it is up to the student to find them. Support is available to students from the Employability and Careers Service when applying for placements and internships.
Do you provide employability services?
Employability activities take place all the time at Greenwich and students are encouraged to take part in as many opportunities as possible. The central Employability and Careers Service provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops. In addition, your School has a dedicated Employability Officer who will be organising work-related activities throughout the year which will help you to build you industry knowledge and networks.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We have a great range of books and journals that support the creative industries in the library. We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills, support through your personal tutor, your lecturers, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Support from the department
The School provides pastoral support throughout your studies with us. Students have a personal tutor and access to training in study skills, dissertation preparation, methods and ethics and have access to advice on employability and careers. There are also a range of student services including Wellbeing.
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