Creative Advertising MA

Program Overview

Falmouth University's Creative Advertising MA is a one-year, full-time program that develops strategic thinking and creative execution skills for a successful advertising career. Through intensive agency-style project work and industry connections, students create engaging ad campaigns, build professional portfolios, and exhibit their work at the D&AD New Blood competition. The program emphasizes ethical and practical approaches to advertising, preparing graduates for careers as Art Directors, Copywriters, and Creative Directors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Course Type: One-year, full-time MA program
• Duration: 45 weeks divided into 3 study blocks of 15 weeks each
• Location: Falmouth Campus
• Mode of Delivery: Intensive, full-service agency environment
• Course Aim: Develop strategic thinking and creative execution skills for a successful advertising career
• Learning Outcomes:
• Create engaging ad campaigns by focusing on planning, concept, and execution
• Graduate with a professional portfolio and industry contacts
• Exhibit work at the D&AD New Blood competition
• Interact with top international advertising agencies during London Study Week

Outline:

• Study Blocks:
• Block 1 & 2:
• Specialize in art direction or copywriting
• Learn vital layout, typography, photography, film, illustration, and fine art skills (art direction)
• Participate in London Study Week for agency visits and workshops
• Campaign Development: Develop creative concepts for integrated campaigns and problem-solving for a range of communication objectives.
• Block 3:
• Partner with another student to produce a live project portfolio from agencies and clients
• Refine communication and negotiation skills
• Research and analyze advertising in different cultures
• Learn IT skills in InDesign, Photoshop, imaging, file conversion, typography, and web development
• Exhibit work at the D&AD New Blood exhibition in London
• Study modules:

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods:
• Visual, verbal, and written assignments
• Combination of assessments at the end of each study block
• Final, external assessment in September
• Assessment Criteria:
• Creativity and originality of ideas
• Technical skills in design and copywriting
• Presentation skills and portfolio professionalism
• Critical thinking and analysis

Teaching:

• Learning Methods:
• Seminars and workshops
• Individual and team tutorials
• Agency-style project work
• Industry professional lectures and insights
• Research and project work information in the Virtual Learning Environment
• Faculty:
• Industry professionals with experience in renowned agencies (Y&R, Grey, DDB, Saatchi & Saatchi) and brands (VW, Audi, Dyson, BBC, Cadbury, Heinz, Sky, Jeep, Honda)
• Examples of staff:
• Anthony Swede, Course Leader
• Dr. Cui Su, Head of Advertising
• Joseph Payne, Senior Technician
• Joel Ferguson, Lecturer
• Lucy Cokes, Senior Lecturer
• Dr. James Branch, Senior Lecturer

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Art Director, Copywriter, Creative Producer, Creative Director
• Graduate Destinations: Agencies like Accenture Song, Fold7, Gousto, Mother, TBWA
• Career Success Examples:
• Jo Taylor: Award-winning creative working for KitKat, CoppaFeel, and Cannes Gold Lion
• Santiago Losado: Creative Director for Mercedes-Benz in Latin America
• Barney Spiro: Cannes Lions award-winning creative, worked for Saatchi & Saatchi
• James Sellick: Disrupting the industry with creative campaigns and unique approaches

Other:

• Program Costs:
• UK students: £9,200 per year (£250 acceptance fee)
• EU/International students: £17,950 per year (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee)
• Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Policy and Procedure available
• Postgraduate funding opportunities available

Additional Points:

• The program emphasizes a hands-on, practical approach to learning, mirroring real-world agency experience.
• The program encourages ethical, economic, psychological, and socio-political awareness in advertising.
• Students develop key online and social media skills through the program.

Tuition fees 2024-25 £9,200 per year - full-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees.) £17,950 - full-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees) Tuition fees for September 2025 will be confirmed in summer 2024. Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs