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Take your creative skills to the next level with our MA Creative Practice. The Creative industry continues to grow in the UK, adding new posts at twice the rate of the rest of the economy. This degree will help to hone your creative skills to become part of the growing and rewarding creative industry.
TYPICAL OFFER
BA (Hons) degree: 2:2 or above in a BA (Hons) in a creative subject.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.
Mature applicants: We welcome applications from candidates who may not precisely match the academic criteria but can demonstrate experience in their chosen field as well as academic achievement at level 5. Candidates in this category will be interviewed to assess their
suitability for the course and asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL Claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
The Masters in Creative Practice is a practice-led modular programme designed for creative graduates from a range of disciplines to enhance their knowledge and skills.
On this programme you will develop specialist practical skills while refining your practice and enhancing your employability skills. You’ll build a professional creative network to support your career in the Creative industry.
You are supported throughout the programme to critically engage with your creative practice and to refine your creative identity. You will develop your ability to attain work as a creative freelancer, to work for creative agencies and employers, or to progress to further study.
We welcome applications from a range of creative disciplines including Art, Graphic Design, Film, Make-up and Photography. The programme is designed for students with strong technical skills in their specialist practice, but you will work in a multidisciplinary environment, enhancing the potential for cross-subject work and reflecting the collaborative nature of the creative industry.
This course is validated by The Open University
BLANK_ working Art Gallery
BLANK_ is an online project space with an accompanying publication that showcases new contemporary creative practice in Leeds. There are plenty of opportunities for MA students to be involved, including assisting artists and technicians with online curation, in-person launch events, publishing work and networking with other practitioners.
Find out more about BLANK_ here https://www.blank.org.uk/
We're still accepting applications for 2026 entry.
You can also apply directly to University Centre Leeds.
To access your account again and complete your application, use the second link provided in your verification email.
Please Note: The 'Apply direct' link works for direct applications to this course only. For each course you wish to apply for, you will need to find the course on our website and use the ‘Apply direct’ button on the correct page for that course.
Modules may include:
Creative Studio (20 credits) – This module allows the student to test a range of practical ideas to explore topics for final resolution. The Creative Studio Module invites students to critically engage with their own creative practice and to situate their work within the creative industries. In this module students will consider the relationship between their creative practice and other contemporary practitioners to demonstrate the breadth of practical investigations.
Industry Project (40 credits) – Students will have the opportunity to develop a rigorous understanding of current issues or problems within a given industry context by working on a live brief with a company/employer. They will have the opportunity to experience the complexities of working as part of a creative team whilst also engaging with the focus and priorities of industry professionals, companies or employers.
Contemporary Cultural Studies (30 credits) – Contemporary Cultural Studies is a forward-thinking module that provides graduates with the opportunity to position themselves, and their practice, within contemporary culture. Students will be encouraged to make creative connections between contemporary culture, its historical foundations, conflicts, and contingencies, allowing students to develop projects vertically and laterally across and between traditional subject boundaries.
Collaborative Practice (30 credits) – Collaborative practice within creative arts is wide and diverse in its approaches and there is a broad range of creative and professional opportunities within the creative fields. This module allows students to strengthen their collaborative skills in reaching an agreed creative outcome. The Collaborative Practice Module invites students to critically engage with their own creative practice and to navigate their work within other areas of the creative industries.
Major Project (60 credits) – Whether working in a cultural or commercial context, as a creative practitioner you will create large scale projects that need to engage an audience. The Major Project module provides the opportunity for students to create an ambitious extended practical project for public display that reflects the students’ individual creative practice, critical concerns, and professional identity.
You will develop the following skills:
Specialist creative and technical skills
Plus, you’ll have the benefits of:
This is a practical programme and the majority of the assessments are practical submissions, either through the submission of a portfolio or via an exhibition. Throughout the programme you will be asked to produce presentations and written tasks.
TYPICAL OFFER
BA (Hons) degree: 2:2 or above in a BA (Hons) in a creative subject.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.
Mature applicants: We welcome applications from candidates who may not precisely match the academic criteria but can demonstrate experience in their chosen field as well as academic achievement at level 5. Candidates in this category will be interviewed to assess their
suitability for the course and asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL Claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
Following this programme you can progress into a career in the Creative industry or further study.
Job opportunities may include:
For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.
For the latest version of the course handbook please click here.
For the latest version of The Open University regulations please click here.
Step into creativity at our newly built Mabgate Campus, designed to support animators and digital artists. You’ll have access to Mac suites, industry-standard software, TV and photography studios, recording facilities, and drawing tablets, everything you need to develop, experiment, and bring your animated ideas to life in a professional environment.
You will have access to a Creative Arts library on campus, where specialist literature and journals are found. Our academic librarian can support you with your academic and research skills. There’s also a Creative Arts exhibition space, that’s used by local artists to exhibit their work. This space is used for launch nights and networking events, allowing you to work alongside contemporary artists while learning the process of exhibiting. This will enable you to expand your network in Leeds’ creative community and to exhibit your own work.
At Prime Studios, you'll find more than just a place to develop your skills with access to state of the art facilities including digital scanners and 3D printers and bespoke workshop space for mould making, sculpting and application. Prime Studios is a hub of creativity. Experience the atmosphere of a functioning studio, used for TV and Film production, fashion shoots, commercials and music videos. This setting ensures that you're not just learning but actively applying your knowledge in a professional setting, gaining hands-on experience that mirrors the realities of the industry. Prime Studios opens doors to numerous networking opportunities; connect with industry professionals, collaborate with fellow students, and engage with experts in the field. These interactions go beyond the classroom, providing you with insights and potential avenues for future collaboration.
Materials for resources and trips
You will attend an interview and will have a portfolio review.
To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please see the direct apply link further up this page or visit our 'How to apply' page and complete the steps.
You can also apply through UCAS.
For more information please visit our 'How to apply' page.
Course fees for Undergraduates are £15,000 (GBP)
Scholarship available £4,000 (GBP) all courses.
For more information about fees and scholarships, please click here.
Please see our entry requirements page for additional requirements as an international student
International students will study 5 additional hours on top of the regular timetable.
For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.
Our online and in-person Open Events give you a chance to hear from tutors, discover the range of student support available, and find out for yourself why University Centre Leeds has the highest rating for student satisfaction in the city (NSS 2025).
Open Days
Want to find out more about the wide range of courses, student support and more available for students at University Centre Leeds?
Access your University Centre Leeds Prospectus now.
