About This Course
This Creative Arts degree combines the study of film, digital and print media, journalism, audio and visual production and cultural studies.
You will learn techniques and develop skills to produce media material as well as essential key skills needed for a career in the creative industries. One major advantage of our degree in Creative Arts is the fact you don’t have to choose between the creative or technical, theory or practice, you can tailor your studies to your interests. Studying at Bangor University will give you an understanding of how the news, film, and media industry work. You’ll learn a broad range of production skills within different areas of the media, including documentary filmmaking, screenwriting, and journalism practice.
As well as keeping you up-to-date with the fast-changing world of multimedia practice, this BA in Creative Arts will introduce you to a broad range of theoretical perspectives that will enrich your research skills. Whilst studying with us you’ll gain confidence and learn how to excel and adapt in an ever-changing industry.
Taught by leading analyst and practitioners, staff within the School regularly engage with research in advertising, media regulation, privacy, digital journalism, political communication, gender, visual culture, gaming, global media, social networks, publishing and documentary to name a few. Many of the teaching staff are also practicing professionals and consultants.
Nestled in a breath-taking location between the Snowdonia Mountains and the sea, Bangor is also the perfect place to get out and about and find news stories or create your own media productions. Our spectacular beaches and mountains feature in Tomb Raider, Clash of the Titans, House of Dragons and The Crown.
Why choose Bangor for this course?
- Our course offer a flexible structure so you can tailor your degree to your interest.
- You will study in a creative atmosphere, working closely with leading scholars and practising industry professionals and consultants.
- Our facilities include editing suites, production studios and industry-standard digital media equipment.
- You will gain practical experience by contributing to organising events, e.g. screenings, film festivals, performances.
- Discover drama, films, music and more at the University’s Arts and Innovation Centre, Pontio.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch.
This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year. You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinations and partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on the Student Exchanges section of our website.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
Preparing you for a career in the creative and cultural industries, this Creative Arts degree gives you freedom to experiment with different media, discover what truly inspires you and find your unique creative voice.
It provides a solid theoretical grounding and historical understanding of how the film, media and entertainment industries work; how they influence, inform and engage with audiences. At the same time, you will develop a broad range of practical skills related to creative writing, performance, audio and visual production.
You can examine innovations in the book and publish industry, look at how films communicate meaning and express your own creative choices as a filmmaker. The difference between fictional and factual writing can be explored alongside preparing and honing your skills for interview.
At Bangor University we’ll encourage you to find new ways to express yourself, your messages and meaning. You will be given opportunities to create original media, communications, productions and performance pieces, both as an individual and part of a team.
Alongside your studies Bangor University offers a range of opportunities to engage with the creative industries. From conferences, video conferences and events to regular visits from creative writers, filmmakers, journalists, designers, dramatists and new media makers.
Facilities
- Extensive loans service for equipment such as digital recorders, video cameras, stills cameras and more.
- Professionally equipped radio studio.
- Audio editing suites running Adobe Audition.
- Digital video edit suites running Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express on Apple Macs.
- Auditoriums.
- Pontio arts and innovation centre, which includes a 200-seater cinema space with Dolby Surround Sound.
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Course Costs
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
- The fee for all integrated study abroad years is £1,385 (2025/26).
- The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).
More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
Offers are tariff based, 96 - 128 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- A Levels: General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: MMM - DDM
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM- DDM
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080): considered on a case-by-case basis
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: accepted
- Access: pass required
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- T Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
- Extended Project Qualification: Points can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on our International pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
General University Requirements
To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.
EU and International Students' Entry Requirements
For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
Careers
Graduating from this Creative Arts degree prepares you to enter a range of creative careers at a time when consumption of creative and cultural outputs is on the rise.
You will be familiar with the artistic practices, concepts and creative processes involved in producing literature, media, music, film, theatre and other art forms. Furthermore, you will understand how text, image and sound can be used to convey meaning across a variety of writing genres, styles and media forms.
Typical roles include:
- Casting director
- Choreographer
- Copywriter
- Creative director
- Digital media assistant
- Editor/filmmaker
- Post-production assistant
- PR consultant/manager
- Production runner
- Publisher
- Researcher
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.
Internships
Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.
Foundation Year
'With Foundation Year' options are available for this course. Apply for Media Studies and Production (with Foundation Year) or English Language and English Literature (with Foundation Year)
What is a Foundation Year course?
If you don’t have the required qualifications for the degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, then a Foundation Year Programme might be the right choice for you.
The Foundation Year is an excellent introduction to studying this subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to go on to study this course at degree-level.
When you have successfully completed the Foundation Year, you can progress on to the first year of this degree-level course.
