Advertising: Creative

Why Advertising?

If your prime concern is to get a great job in the communications industry after graduating, then look carefully at the links between your chosen course and industry. Alternatively, phone up a London agency and ask their advice on the best courses around. If you choose to study Advertising at Bucks you will be joining a course that has built impressive reputations with industry, based on student successes in the job market and in international awards.

Consider this... in London; there are more jobs in the creative industries than anywhere else in the whole of Europe. We won’t guarantee you your dream job but we will certainly help you become the person capable of achieving your goal. If we were to highlight one overriding reason for you to consider Bucks, then it would have be the opportunities we create for you.

Key features of the course:

Our proximity to London provides for top-flight industry links. In addition, students are further informed through contact with numerous lecturers and keynote speakers. Students develop abilities to think conceptually and strategically, employing creativity, research and analysis to inform their solutions. Much emphasis is placed on reaching the target audience employing the most appropriate media.

Advertising is competitive and intensive. Students work in teams (art director/copywriter) and often stay together long after university. They constantly seek advice and criticism from tutors and industry practitioners to inform their own judgement. International students are advised to ‘cut their teeth’ in London before returning abroad.

Teaching:

All staff on the course are drawn from industry and come with extensive contacts. The course team has, over the years, developed strategies to successfully combine the academic requirements of a degree course with the commercial realities of industry. All aspects of creating successful advertising are taught: from formulating creative briefs to strategic planning. The continuous dialogue between tutors and industry ensures the course is not only current but is also in on future developments. A key factor to the success of this course is the informal and cooperative relationship between staff and students.

What will I learn?

Level One is about changing the way you see the world. It is about opening your eyes and encompassing new experiences. It is about not accepting things at face value and always asking why? It is a time when you come to terms with lateral thinking and problem solving and learn to take an idea further than you ever thought possible. It is also a period in which you shed your inhibitions and find your voice. You will learn how to project your personality to influence and persuade others and, with any luck, your parents won’t recognise you at the end of the year.

This first year is also broad-based and aims to give students an orientation within the scope of the programme. Students work on conceptual briefs that will stretch them intellectually, whilst developing methods of research and investigation which will inform future work. The programme is hard work but is hugely diverse, stimulating and also great fun. You will get the opportunity to work on live briefs set by design and advertising companies and come into contact with many industry practitioners. London will quickly become a focus of your attention.

Level Two is when students become immersed in their chosen degree and begin to acquire skills and insights, which will prepare them for the future. Problem solving and ideas remains core, with a greater emphasis on appropriateness of solutions.

Contact with industry becomes a regular feature of your work with the possibility of agency workshops and work experience in London agencies. Our register of host agencies and student destinations reads like a ‘who’s who’ of the design and advertising world.
Several major events take place in this level - Professional Practice week, when as many as twenty-five speakers take part in lectures, workshops and seminars. The New York trip in February is a line-up of twenty or more visits to agencies, design and film companies and post-production houses. Typical visits include: workshops, talks, portfolio reviews, presentations and critiques. We can guarantee a New York experience that you won’t forget.

To further our international ambitions, we have established a diverse exchange programme with many European centres. Students in Level Two can if they wish, receive funding to study in Barcelona, Amsterdam, Ghent or Milan. Exchanges are also possible in Hong Kong and America.

Level Three By the time students reach Level Three they are more self sufficient and directed. This is a time to explore personal interests and negotiated briefs are the mainstay of the final year. Workshops, placements and critiques continue and London takes on an increasingly pivotal role in student’s schedules. This is the time to do the rounds of the agencies with the all-important ‘book’. International awards are integrated into the programme as is a substantial Final Major Project.

What are my career prospects?

We now have a considerable network of successful Bucks graduates, built up over a decade and a half, in all types of advertising and marketing agencies, actively promoting the course and keen to encourage new talent. Many return to show their work or host a workshop or do book crits. Only talent, personality and timing will land you a job or a choice placement but being a Bucks student will certainly help to get your foot in the door.

Application information Your Interview and Portfolio

At interview, we want you to impress us with your sparkling personality, surprise us with your boundless creativity and convince us that you are worth investing in. Then, before we can get a word in edgeways, talk us in to giving you a place.  You should be highly motivated, passionate, confident and articulate. Your portfolio should be exciting with lots of surprises. It should also evidence unquestionable creativity and ability to problem solve.

For portfolio and interview guidelines, click here.

Entry requirements: 
Relevant ‘A’ levels + portfolio
160-200 UCAS points

Want to find out more?
To find out more about our End of Year Show, Bucks EYeS, please have a look at our short film.

To find out more about our art and design courses and what our students get up to, please have a look at our newsletter.

Why not come along to an Open Day? - click here for dates or see our short film.

Our recruitment team would also be happy to help:
Tel: 0800 0565 660
Email: advice@bucks.ac.uk