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Explore the arts and creative industries, from Fine Art to Social Media Management, with our insightful articles, blogs, interviews and case studies.
Are you considering a creative career? Do you wonder what it’s really like to work in the creative industries? This sector can offer you an exciting and varied career, where no day is the same and creative thinking is actively encouraged. There are so many creative job roles up for grabs and there’s something to suit everyone’s career goals.
Learn more about careers in the creative industries.
The film industry is an exciting, dynamic and fast-paced place to work, full of creative people who are passionate about what they do – and you could be part of it. But how do you get into the film industry? One way to start your journey on this career path is to study for a film degree at university.
Here's why you should study film at Sunderland
Why study for a fine art degree? What does fine art mean? And can you find a job as a fine artist?
Read more to find out why you should study a fine art degree
Read more about university life with our student blogs
UNILIFE: UNLOCKEDWe work closely with Sunderland Culture, an independent charity based in Sunderland which delivers a fantastic programme of cultural events and activities in the city’s cultural venues. We caught up with their Chief Executive, Rebecca Ball, to find out more about the organisation, what they do, and how our students get involved.
Learn about Sunderland Culture
As a BA (Hons) Film and Media student, not only do you get to combine your love of film with the fascinating world of media, you’ll also get the opportunity to get involved with extracurricular activities. One of our most popular activities is our organised trips, which aim to enhance your learning experience on the course.
Discover our organised trips
Are you thinking of studying BA (Hons) Film and Media? Looking forward to sharing your thoughts on film and cinema? You’re in luck – not only will you get to engage with these topics in class, but you’re also invited to our CineClub.
Learn more about CineClub
Our BA (Hons) Screen Performance course offers a good balance between performance, production, and theoretical knowledge and experience, preparing you for an exciting future in the performance and screen industries.
Discover how to get the most out of your screen performance degree
For anyone who has a passion for performing, a degree in performing arts can be your path to a fulfilling and hugely engaging career. Our Performing Arts department has a proud history of delivering quality degrees that are an immersive, enlightening and interactive experience for students.
Read more about studying performing arts
Do you love fashion? Do you dream of becoming the next top fashion designer, stylist or fashion journalist? We offer two distinctive courses that will provide you with the key skills you’ll need for a successful career in fashion: BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Promotion, and BA (Hons) Fashion Journalism.
Here are five reasons to study fashion at Sunderland
By studying BA (Hons) Photography, Video and Digital Imaging or MA Visual Practice: Photography, you’ll have access to well-equipped photographic and studio facilities at the Northern Centre of Photography. Learn more about our photography facilities.
Learn more about our photography facilities
If you’re interested in media or film production and getting hands-on with the latest technology, look no further than the University of Sunderland. In addition to our established equipment, you’ll have access to new and upgraded facilities, including our 4K-UHD virtual studio, broadcast standard HD TV studio, and our refreshed Spark Sunderland radio studio.
Read on to find out more about our media production facilities
The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) provides a world-class education and training system that develops current and future journalists for the demands of the ever-changing media industry. By studying an NCTJ-accredited course, you’ll be opening the doors to whole range of careers in the media sector.
Learn about the benefits of studying an NCTJ-accredited course
Creative Industries Week is an exciting opportunity for all Arts and Creative Industries students. Offering a change of pace from the usual class timetable, Creative Industries Week gives you a chance to consider career options, network with staff and students from different courses, and get a wider view of the creative industries.
Learn more about Creative Industries Week
Do you have a passion for drawing, creating characters, and storytelling? Are you curious about how to create an animation? Do you dream of working on the next big animated movie or game? If you’ve said yes to any of those questions, you may be interested in studying BA (Hons) Animation and Games Art.
Find out more about studying animation
With a journalism career spanning 25 years, Carole Watson is now Programme Leader in Fashion Journalism at the University of Sunderland. Here, she shares an insight into her distinguished career and talks about the opportunities Sunderland has to offer aspiring journalists.
Get an insight into Journalism at Sunderland
Our Art and Design students are encouraged to gain as much creative industry experience as possible, and in 2021, a group of students took part in a student takeover for a virtual exhibition called ‘Paint the Town in Sound’.
Learn more about the Paint the Town in Sound exhibition and our student takeover
Are you an artist looking to develop and sustain your creative practice while growing your professional profile? Introducing the MA Visual Practice – an innovative course that aims to encourage original ideas, creativity, and imaginative thinking, in a relaxed and supportive artistic community.
Learn more about the MA Visual Practice
Want to know what it’s like to study the BA (Hons) Photography, Video and Digital Imaging course? And what it's like to work as a freelance photographer? Here, graduates Esme Fletcher, Charlotte Draper, and Nat Wilkins share their experiences.
Read more about working as a freelance photographer
There are many key skills that journalism students need to learn, including interviewing, writing, shorthand, and digital storytelling on social media. Senior Lecturer and National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Media Law board member, Carole Watson, explains why learning the law is also essential for any accomplished reporter.
Find out why learning the law is essential for any accomplished reporter
For any budding filmmaker, receiving recognition from the Royal Television Society is not only acknowledgement of the quality of your work, but can also lead you to a career within the industry. Natacha Richardson and Ellie King achieved this at this year’s awards, triumphing in the Comedy and Entertainment category for their film, The Family Food Fight.
Learn how to triumph at the RTS Awards
Each year, our good friend Lord David Puttnam, Oscar-winning film producer, takes a handful of students under his wing in a unique mentoring opportunity. The Puttnam Scholars attend a series of interactive seminars about the film industry, while undertaking a project set by Lord Puttnam himself.
Learn more about The Lord Puttnam Scholars Scheme
A few years ago, the idea of being a ‘Social Media Manager’ would have been almost laughable – how hard can it be to ‘manage’ your notifications!? Social media is so much more than taking selfies, instagramming your breakfast or sharing memes on Facebook though; it’s a powerful business tool that's resulted in an explosion of exciting jobs and careers.
Find out where a degree in social media can take you
Sunderland has a thriving creative writing community that draws expertise and passion from a diverse group of people including many of our students and staff.
Learn more about Sunderland's community of creative writers