Where career-ready creatives are made

Creatives breathe life and color into the simplest things and take them to greater heights.

When such talent is realized or discovered, it must be harnessed in order for it to reach its full potential.

Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) is the ideal place for budding creatives to achieve this.

A combination of discipline and imagination to balance the School of Art, Design and Performance Here students prepare themselves, learn and acquire knowledge for their future. It is ranked 3rd in the UK for fashion, textiles and costumes and 4th for graphic design, according to The Guardian University Guide 2023.

Work-based learning opportunities ensure that they enter the working world directly – with enough experience and a lot of self-confidence.

From live briefings and internships to guest lectures, all teaching theories are brought to life. All of this is part of the school’s goal of instilling self-authority and multidisciplinary confidence in its students. The first relates to empowering students to use their point of view and vision to identify and communicate ideas and information that are central to their own personal interests, opinions, and core values. The latter focuses on developing the ability to perform creative tasks across a range of mediums and client bases.

Here, students have many opportunities to achieve these goals. In the second and third year of study, students learn how to use their creativity and talent for later professional life in the “Professional Studies” and “Professional Practice” modules. In the project work, they get to know both traditional and manual skills and merge them with modern technologies and digital skills. After completing the project, the students deal critically with the analysis and evaluation of their own work and that of their fellow students.

“We want our students to have every opportunity to develop and explore their own innovative thinking and creativity,” says Principal Professor Sri-Kartini Leet.

Ask graduates and many find their alma mater to be the best starting point for a creative career one could ever have.

Interior architecture and design student Trixie Swiderek agrees. Since joining, she has worked on several projects that have fueled her fascination with translating body movement into spatial representations.

In a collaboration with her sister, a professional dancer, she conceived a staircase design. “I have studied how dancers move their bodies according to certain rules and their movements are their mode of expression; Much like architecture expects the viewer to move,” she says.

She is now working on another project inspired by Trisha Brown’s bodywork. The creation incorporates both interior and exterior architectural elements based on an improvised visual quality reminiscent of abstract dance choreography.

Swiderek credits the innovative technology and prototyping machines for increasing the quality of their projects. “In addition, guest lecturers with a lot of experience in our field of work, stimulating research trips and, of course, many creative projects have supported me in strengthening my skills and in conceptualizing with confidence.” Swiderek says.

Inspired? BNU offers many programs to start your creative career with as much panache and impact as Swiderek has.

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

This BA examines traditional skills (such as typography and data analysis) and manual skills (such as letterpress and screen printing) applied through the use of digital software.

An exhibition by Lorenzo di Zennobia, a BA (Hons) Graphic Design student. Source: Buckinghamshire New University

BA (Hons) Illustration

From movies to games to virtual reality, this program trains students to identify and solve problems by working with ideas, information, and visual storytelling.

BA (Hons) Photography

Focused on commercial applications and artistic practice, this BA provides students with core technical skills from analogue to digital, academic knowledge and professional know-how.

BA (Hons) Fine Arts

Interdisciplinary, socially engaged, collaborative and entrepreneurial – these characteristics ensure that students master the conceptual, theoretical, cultural and ethical frameworks that underlie the contemporary arts.

BA (Hons) Hair and Make-up for Film and Performance

Taking place between the High Wycombe campus and the BNU teaching base at Pinewood Studios, this program allows you to build a portfolio that showcases your talent as an experienced storyteller.

BA (Hons) Fashion Design

Students master the design process, from concept through design to production and product placement. In their senior year, they’re completing a capsule collection, an industry-ready portfolio, and a promotional package.

BA (Hons) Textile Design

This BA is the ideal program for aspiring designers and practitioners. It’s fast-paced and responsive, with modules spanning fashion, interiors, sportswear, automotive, and more. Exposure to a variety of materials, techniques, structures, compositions, and other elements is included.

BA (Hons) Costume Design and Making

From film to fashion shows, television to theater, costumes bring to life virtually every creative production around the world, and this program will help students discover just how important they are.

BA (Hons) Fashion and Textiles

Explore creativity, innovative thinking and contemporary approaches as you develop your own unique styling and identity with this fast-paced program.

BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion and Communication

The fashion industry relies on content in the form of images, events and words – and this BNU program provides students with the theory and practice to build a portfolio that will inspire future employers.

BA (Hons) Interior and Spatial Design

Accredited by the Society of British and International Design, the program lets students remodel and refurbish existing buildings and design new structures and spaces.

BA (Hons) Set Design for Stage and Screen

This exciting program prepares students for careers in television, film and theater. Students will learn how to leverage design, aesthetics, form and function for stage and screen settings.

BSc (Hons) Sustainable Product Design

Do you want to create elegant products from scratch and take them from scale drawings to final prototype? This program shows you how to complete design projects from client consultation to final product presentation.

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