MA Creative Advertising (Full Time)

With a strong emphasis placed on work based learning, you will learn how to devise campaigns for real products to ensure that you graduate with a portfolio of work that effectively showcases your talents to prospective employers.

2013 Entry

  • One year Standard Entry

2012 Entry

  • One year Standard Entry

Entry level

An Honours degree at 2:2 or above, in a related discipline.

It is a pre-requisite that you have creative ability and are able to express your ideas through words and images.  

Evidence of your creative aptitude will be required before you will be offered a place on the course.

International students are required to show evidence of their English level as part of their entry requirements. See English entry requirements|.

Modes of study

  • Full Time

Career opportunities

Employers recognise the benefits of Masters courses in helping to differentiate students, especially when the course provides the student with industry relevant skills.

The professional focus of the MA creative Advertising will open doors to a career within this competitive industry.

The core career path of our graduates will be towards securing work in the creative departments of national and international advertising agencies. You will also be equipped with the skills to work ‘in-house’ for clients or in web-design agencies or graphic design agencies.

Career paths include:

  • copywriting,
  • media buying,
  • account management,
  • art direction

Want to know more?

Tel: +44 (0)23 8031 9653Email: fcis.registry@solent.ac.uk

International recruitment Tel: +44(0)23 8031 9129 Email: international@solent.ac.uk|

2012

Course overview

This challenging Creative Advertising Masters course has been designed by industry professionals, and is aimed at graduates who wish to work in the creative side of the advertising industry. The course is unique in the emphasis placed on the importance of creative thinking and ideation, and by simulating the advertising industry, you will be constantly challenged to push the boundaries of your creativity to find innovative solutions to the briefs that you’re set.

You'll explore the theories behind advertising, and will work to live agency briefs to create advertising across a wide range of media.  

Our experienced teaching team has strong links with professional bodies, enabling you to develop invaluable contacts in the advertising world and to meet key industry figures. Through our close links with Design & Art Direction (D&AD) and the industry, your work will be critiqued by top creative directors and you will also participate in agency visits, guest lectures and careers events. 

The MA Creative Advertising is a really exciting opportunity to focus on your creativity, develop your professional portfolio and to prepare yourself to suceed within this dynamic industry.

Industrial focus

You will be encouraged to embark on some work experience during your time on the course as part of the Professional Practice unit. Key to your professional success will be having worked in an agency environment, and this unit has been specifically designed to assist you in planning your future career.

Course content

The shared units within the School of Communications aim to foster discussion and debate across different disciplines and will enable you to develop a much broader appreciation of media and culture. This will be invaluable to your success in an industry which reflects the fast-changing nature of our society.

Creative portfolio building

This unit is designed for practicing advertising creatives and/or those who have completed a relevant first degree and wish to further build and enhance their portfolio of creative work. You will have the choice to either work individually on a veriety of creative briefs, or within in pairs; simulating the traditional two-person creative team format favoured by a majority of mainstream advertising agencies.

Ideation

This unit will promote and develop creative thinking and problem solving (CTPS) skills and will address the need for individuals and teams who can ‘think outside the box’, and apply fresh thinking to practical, ‘real world’ problems. These skills are manifest in ideation: the process of generating ideas that offer new and innovative solutions to such problems. 

Cultural influences on media and writing

This unit will focus on key themes and issues that effect society, and therefore impact on the creative industries, journalism and writing, from the cult to celebrity to the impact of globalisation. You’ll identify the cultural, ethical, social, political and technological implications of the area of communication practice that interests you and then explore the theoretical and practical connections between ideas and debates raised in the unit.

Professional practice

This unit has been specifically designed to equip you with an in-depth knowledge of your chosen industry and to provide an insight and understanding in order to plan your long-term career. Key to this unit will be an element of work-based learning. You will be required to secure a work placement, freelance assignments or relevant work related experience for one month in order to strengthen your knowledge of the industry and to refine your skills.

Major project

The Masters Project will enable you to design, execute and present an individually demanding piece of work that deploys a systematic and in-depth understanding of the skills and debates relevant to your particular discipline of study.

Assessment

This course is taught and assessed using a vast variety of methods that mirror industry practice. In addition to lectures and seminars, you will take part in workshops, work on live commercial briefs, presentations, and use the Faculty’s industry standard media production facilities.

We also have our own e-learning facilities, social networking sites and blogs to enrich your learning experience, and the majority of course material will be available electronically via our online learning platform myCourse.

Key career skills

Creative thinking and problem solving, copywriting and art direction, report writing, presentation and teamwork.

Projects/Work experience

You will be encouraged to gain work experience as part of the course and we will support you in your quest for a placement at a top agency.

Solent's special features

The course team have links with a number of agencies through both their Alumni and through the D&AD. Prospective employers will be invited to view your work at the D&AD New Blood Exhibition and at other events throughout the year.

  • The course has close links with the D&AD and prospective employers will be invited to view your work at the D&AD New Blood Exhibition, and at other industry events throughout the year.
  • You will benefit from the Faculty’s wealth of facilities and equipment, but our most valuable resource is our teaching staff and their extensive professional and academic expertise. You will be taught by a talented team of tutors who have strong links with industry through Employer Liaison Panels, industry bodies (CIPR, D&AD, IDM, NAWE). as well as directly with relevant businesses.
  • You will become part of a creative, stimulating Faculty, working alongside students studying photography, film, graphic design, visual arts and fashion. The shared units within the School of Communications aim to foster discussion and debate across different disciplines and will enable you to develop a much broader appreciation of media and culture , which will be invaluable to your success in an industry which reflects the fast-changing nature of our society.
  • You will be encouraged to join ‘Solent Creatives’, a newly formed agency within Solent University that aims to match student talents with local business needs. This will provide you with an invaluable opportunity to enhance your portfolio with the work you complete during freelance assignments.
  • Special facilities such as Solent Creatives Agency, dedicated MAC room and studio facilities.
  • You will have the opportunity to gain a first hand insight into the industry by visiting numerous local and national advertising agencies, and relevant exhibitions. Recent trips have included; the IAB, Mother, Rapier, We Are Social, and Fallon. 

Fees

Fees for the 2012/13 academic year are:

Full-time
UK and EU students: £4,500 per annum
Overseas students: £10,000 per annum

Part-time
UK and EU students: £2,250 pa
Overseas students: £5,000 pa  

Why people choose Solent|