Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English and Creative Writing

at Leeds Beckett University - City Campus United Kingdom

The role of acoustics in the built environment and the impact of sound and noise on society is a growing area of research and practice.

As part of this course, you’ll:

• Understand acoustic design and practice as a vital component in environments where creative industries function
• Recognise the intrinsic relationship between audio systems and the environments in which they operate
• Develop a broad understanding of the behaviour of sound in all scenarios
• Build technical and practical skills in the measurement, evaluation and design of audio systems and acoustic environments
• Explore the areas of interfacing, interactivity and spatial audio
• Practise listening to audio systems and acoustic environments and develop your ability to complete their set up and evaluation independently

Open up a world of opportunities by exploring some of the most pressing challenges facing nations today. From climate change and conflict to trade negotiations and social inequality, you will gain an understanding of these challenges at a local and global level.

You will discover how the subject of international relations has evolved, considering traditional theories and how they compare with contemporary thinking and current events. By studying global institutions such as the World Bank, the United Nations and the EU and the role they play on the political stage, you will gain an insight into how they deal with the shifting political and social issues that influence decision making at a regional, national and worldwide level.

You will also explore the impact of globalisation and its consequences for international society, enhancing your expertise and giving you the confidence to tackle the ethical challenges occurring in the world around you.

Our course incorporates a focus on employability, personal effectiveness, advocacy, activism and research skills. You'll have access to both student and academic members of staff with a variety of interests and expertise related to the study of International Relations, all of whom share an interest in rigorous academic study and a desire for progressive social change locally and globally.

Gain the skills required in design, law, management and technology to become a chartered surveyor on this Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited degree.

As part of your course, you’ll:

• Study the design and construction of new buildings as well as the repair, refurbishment and management of existing structures
• Consider the historic elements of the built environment and discover how different aspects work together
• Learn how to maintain and enhance buildings that are important to our heritage
• Gain hands-on experience during site visits to modern developments and historic projects
• Develop your collaborative working skills
• Study software application and modelling tools

We have strong relationships with companies in the region and you’ll be taught by building surveyors. Visiting planners, architects, researchers and civil and structural engineers will deliver guest lectures and share up-to-date experience of their work in the field.

As a graduate, you’ll be eligible for full membership of the RICS following a period of approved professional practice. You’ll also need to complete a successful final assessment of professional competence by the RICS.

Develop the specialist skills and knowledge to enter the games, digital and creative entertainment industries.

As part of your course you’ll:

• Focus on three main areas: programming and software engineering; art, concept and asset production; and game design studies, practice and theory
• Take products from an initial idea through the design, visualisation and technical implementation stages
• Be encouraged to foster your individual creativity
• Produce games based on your ideas
• Work with other students and tutors who have a passion for games and gaming

 Placement opportunities, networking events and guest lectures from industry experts such as Disney animator Aaron Blaise and codemasters Team17 Digital and Dan Gray from UsTwoGames will enhance your awareness of the career opportunities open to you.

We are also members of industry network, Game Republic, where past students have won awards from industry judges in the Student Showcase Competition.

Final year students also have the opportunity to showcase their work in front of leading employers at the end of year degree show. You can see some of their work in the Leeds School of Arts Festival. Previous years have seen many of our students gain job offers through the showcase opportunities.

Take a 'whole child' approach to the study of children and the issues that affect them and their families.

As part of this course, you’ll:

• Specialise your study through one of two distinct routes - Early Years and Children & Young People
• Choose the Early Years route if you want to focus on applying a critical lens to young children's education and care within a variety of settings
• Choose the Children & Young People route if you’re interested in focusing on critically examining concepts, contexts and practice related to childhood
• Recognise and champion every child. Using the latest research you’ll explore the theoretical and conceptual terrain of childhood to inform and develop your own practice
• Study modules designed to highlight the importance of the child's voice and children's participation

As part of your course you’ll:

• Develop your expertise in the strategic management of integrated marketing communications and advertising
• Study broader marketing areas such as market research and digital communications
• Understand how to use your communications expertise to build relationships with specific target audiences
• Learn how to support the achievement of business objectives and development through marketing and advertising management
• Have the opportunity to be mentored by marketing practitioners

Industry placements
Students have completed placements with companies including Asda, Disney and Creative Race.

The CIM is the leading professional body for marketers worldwide and exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners. Leeds Beckett University has joined forces with CIM to give you the opportunity to gain professional qualifications through the CIM Graduate Gateway. CIM qualifications are highly sought after by employers, and their content is reflected in our own degrees which ensures we are equipping you with the best opportunities for a successful marketing career.

Gain a comprehensive range of knowledge and skills relevant to business and management. This degree will help you excel in a wide range of jobs once you graduate.

As part of your course you’ll:

• Learn how to manage dynamic and complex organisations
• Develop an expert understanding of how businesses operate and build the skills needed to become a strategic and successful manager
• Gain the practical experience needed to impress potential employers
• Learn to understand business and management issues at both a national and global level and across a wide array of industries and sectors
• Put your knowledge into practice through in-class case study work, internships, study abroad and volunteering
• Enhance your entrepreneurial skills through active participation in national student competitions, such as the IBM University Business Challenge

 You’ll also engage with real businesses through live projects, chair discussions and guest lectures. Past speakers include the CEO of the London Stock Exchange, the Chief Executive of the British Bankers Association and the Chief Economist of Yorkshire Bank.

As part of this course, you’ll:

• Develop knowledge of the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of policy making and challenges to it
• Gain in-depth understanding of public policy informed by current scholarship and research, including a critical awareness of current issues, theories and developments
• Study the concepts, theories and methods used in the study and practice of public policy
• Consider issues from a range of disciplinary perspectives
• Understand the implications of complexity, risk and uncertainty in policy-making
• Use a range of techniques and research methods and digital literacy skills to access, process and evaluate information
• Apply your knowledge with originality and creativity
• Explore how new knowledge is created and synthesised by producing a dissertation

You will choose one of three strands to specialise in fashion design, visual communication for fashion or fashion writing.

The fashion writing strand will be taught through an engaging mix of lectures, seminars and workshops. If you study either the fashion design, or visual communication for fashion strands, the majority of your course will be delivered in a hands-on studio environment. Regardless of your specialism, you will be taught in our industry-standard facilities.

In addition to your chosen specialist strand, your will complete a core module in Research Methods, which will equip you with the knowledge you will need to complete in-depth research and produce a proposal for your independent projects. You will also complete a dissertation, which will be related to your Independent Project modules.

Depending on your chosen specialism, you will delve deeper into an area of personal interest. The fashion-writing strand offers you the opportunity to develop skills related to the creation of editorial content – be it print magazines, online writing, or promotional work. There is scope on the course to enhance your written skills to a professional standard, specifically in relation to fashion journalism, but you’ll also be encouraged to think creatively and innovatively with regards the publishing industry as a whole.

If you are a visual communication for fashion student, your work may explore concepts for traditional and digital visual marketing, or simply develop a relevant technique or process, such as fashion photography, styling, illustration, or film. If you choose the fashion design route, you could concentrate on developing traditional and/or experimental pattern cutting and construction processes. You will be encouraged to explore craft and innovation to inform materials and fabrication within your work.

You will specialise in either contemporary literature or creative writing. Taught in workshops held on weekday evenings, you will be able to fit your studies around your existing commitments.

Contemporary Literature
Specialise in researching contemporary literature. You will be introduced to a range of recent literary texts in English and develop an advanced, critical understanding of recent debates on the contemporary creative process.

You will be encouraged by expert tutors to develop your skills in close reading, creating and delivering presentations and formal discussions. Modules will explore how contemporary literary studies is a creative process, and will enable you to specialise in topics at the cutting edge of the discipline.   

Your independent project will enable you to experience the process of defining your own area of investigation and conducting in-depth research and writing.

Creative Writing
Study creative writing at an advanced level. From the outset, you will focus on developing particular expertise in the writing process, and the texts and theories you study will enhance your writing practice.