Creative Sectors

Vacancies across the creative sector

Arts Jobs

Fashion Workie (includes paid and unpaid work experience and internships)

Designweek

ScreenSkills

The Guardian

The Dots

Step (paid internships)

Architecture & Interiors

Find out more about careers in Architecture, Interior Architecture and Design.

The sector expands and contracts in time with construction industry cycles. Government figures show this sector has increased from £3.6 billion in 2008 to £4.3 billion in 2014.

These sources will deepen your knowledge of opportunities, entry points and recruitment practises linked to Architecture & Design.

Communication & Design

Find out more about careers in these industries.

The UK is a thriving design and illustration base, with the second largest design industry in the world. The biggest demand is in ‘digital’, especially the on-line advertising and marketing sector which requires web based skills and understanding of key software alongside creativity.

These sources will deepen your knowledge of opportunities, entry points and recruitment practises linked to Graphic Design and Illustration.

For vacancies:

This sector has been growing rapidly. It is fast moving and ground-breaking, with the UK having a particular reputation for digital innovation. Jobs for ‘creatives’ as well as more traditional graduate positions are offered.

These sources will deepen your knowledge of opportunities, entry points and recruitment practises linked to Advertising, Marketing and Promotion.

For vacancies:

The UK is at the forefront of Animation, Games and Visual Effects development and the sector has rapidly increased in importance with skills shortages at higher levels. Nevertheless, standards are high and competition at graduate levels is strong.

These sources will deepen your knowledge of opportunities, entry points and recruitment practises linked to Animation, Games and VFX.

For vacancies:

This sector has been impacted dramatically by the digital revolution. Print publishing and journalism have declined, while the on-line sector grows, with new and innovative business models emerging. Self-publishing is now much easier, leading to growth in self-employment.

In large companies good graduates are still in demand, but competition is strong, so candidates should be ready to hit the ground running! 

These sources will deepen your knowledge of opportunities, entry points and recruitment practises linked to Journalism and Publishing.

 

For vacancies:

Craft & Product Design

Find out more about careers in Craft and Product Design.

According to the Crafts Council, there are 43,250 people employed in craft industries in the UK, with an estimated additional 9,630 employed in craft occupations outside the creative industries. For most, a career in crafts is more of a lifestyle choice than a way to make money. Over 50% of businesses in the UK were found to be operating below the threshold at which they need to pay tax.

These sources will deepen your knowledge of opportunities, entry points and recruitment practises.

Fashion & Textiles

Find out more about careers in Fashion and Textiles.

According to Fashion United, around 555,000 people are employed in fashion and textiles in the United Kingdom. Most jobs are in the retail sale of clothing.

These sources will deepen your knowledge of opportunities, entry points and recruitment practises linked to Fashion and Textiles.

Film, Broadcasting Media & Performance

Find out more about careers in Film, TV, Radio and Performance.

There has been an increasing demand for actors and performers in the UK, particularly fuelled by the increase in media channels and advertising. Nevertheless only a few performers earn a good wage and most will supplement their acting and performing career with other income.

For performance vacancies:

According to government estimates the Film, TV, Radio and Photography Sector was worth £10.8 billion in 2014 compared to £8.2 billion in 2008. This represents 12.9% of the creative industries in the UK. Experience and contacts are important to help get a foothold in this competitive sector.

For film and broadcast media vacancies:

 

 

Fine Art & Photography

Find out more about the careers in art, community arts/education and photography.

To be an artist is a labour of love; it often takes years to become established. Figures show many artists have more than one job and they need to think creatively about how to market their work to find audiences and income streams.

For fine art vacancies:

Creative Skillset calculates there are 43,374 people working in the Photo Imaging sector in the UK. The sector has undergone rapid change to digital over recent years. Our links will help you understand it and navigate your way around.

 

For photography vacancies:

Galleries, Libraries, Archives & Museums (GLAM)

Find out more about careers in this sector.

There is a strong interest from graduates in this competitive sector, particularly for galleries and museums. It is strongly recommended you seek work experience or volunteer to give the best chance of success.

 

IT, Software & Computer Services

Find out more about careers in the digital, media and technology sector.

This sector is the largest part of the Creative Economy, accounting for 43.5% of Creative Industries Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2014. Further growth is anticipated across most areas of digital media, notably with smartphones, data visualisation, virtual reality, motion capture, advertising and games.

Business for the Creative Industries

Find out more about careers in business for the creative industries

Working for yourself

Start Up Donut

Start Ups

Start Ups: 10 steps to starting a business

Start Ups: Start up guides

The Prince's Trust

Freelance UK

GOV.UK: Set up a business

  • Freelancing

    Freelancing continues to grow in popularity in the UK, with record numbers of people self-employed.

  • Working with others
    • GOV.UK: Set up a business outlines and describes alternative business structures for those planning to take on staff or work in a partnership.
    • Social Enterprise UK: Start up guide describes how social enterprises are not legal structures, but businesses that aim to support a community or segment of society. 
  • Business planning

    Writing a business plan might not sound like the most exciting activity, but there are many benefits. Plans not only help turn dreams of running a business into reality, but make things clearer - they help you understand the market you are entering and make sure the numbers add up to check if your business can be profitable. Many banks and funding bodies insist on business plans before offering cash or help.

  • Funding your business

    Free money is hard to come by but there are schemes and organisations happy to offer grants or loans - with various conditions.

  • Crowdfunding

    Crowdfunding has emerged as a strong alternative to get members of the public to buy into projects and start-up businesses that may not easily access funding through traditional ways. People can invest as much or little as they want in exchange for various benefits.

  • Studio space/premises

    It may not be suitable to run your business from home. You'll have many things to consider when thinking about studio space - costs, benefits, facilities and location.

  • Intellectual property

    It is important for any creative business to discourage other people from stealing their ideas or designs. You don’t need to be a legal expert, but it might be useful to know about how you can protect your work.

  • Portfolio working

    A common work pattern for people in the creative industries is to have more than one job. This has become known as 'portfolio working'. Some do it by necessity - they need a stable job while, for example, building up their freelance work; while others enjoy the versatility and variety of multiple jobs.

Contact us

Click on the tab for your campus to access Careers and Employability support.

Careers & Employability

Use your student email to create your free Creative Futures account. You can book an appointment with a Careers Advisor via the Appointments tab. 

For assistance in setting up an account you can ask at the Gateway Desk in the Library or email careers@uca.ac.uk.

 

Gateway

Telephone: +44 (0)1227 817 314

Email: gatewaycanterbury@uca.ac.uk

Careers & Employability

Use your student email to create your free Creative Futures account. You can book an appointment with a Careers Advisor via the Appointments tab. 

For assistance in setting up an account you can ask at the Gateway Desk in the Library or email careers@uca.ac.uk.

 

 

Gateway

Telephone: +44 (0)1372 202 461

Email: gatewayepsom@uca.ac.uk

 

Careers & Employability 

Use your student email to create your free Creative Futures account. You can book an appointment with a Careers Advisor via the Appointments tab. 

For assistance in setting up an account you can ask at the Gateway Desk in the Library or email careers@uca.ac.uk.

 

Gateway

Telephone: +44 (0)1252 892 709 

Email: gatewayfarnham@uca.ac.uk 

 

Library, UCA Farnham

Students
Coloured fabric squares - Textiles

Graduates
Graphics studios room UCA Epsom

Employers
Glass blowing

Creative Sectors