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CertHE Business & Management for Creatives

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Arts University Plymouth is an independent specialist university run by artists and designers for artists and designers, widely regarded as a dynamic catalyst for creative learning and social justice.

Arts University Plymouth

CertHE Business & Management for Creatives. Learn marketing, finance and project skills tailored to creative industries and freelancers.

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Arts University Plymouth is an independent art university established in 1856, offering extended diplomas, BA degrees, masters and more in art, design and digital subjects.

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CertHE

Full Time

Communication

Content Creation

Film

Media

Publishing

Business

30 credits
Success in business and management requires knowledge and understanding of a range of key fundamentals. Business Essentials provides an overview of business skills required for today's business world, including types of business ownership, laws and regulations, principles of financial management, and an understanding of business practices in light of ethical and social responsibilities.
Alongside developing your knowledge of business, you will acquire practical digital capabilities using software tools and digital working processes, and will develop your employability attributes, enabling you to think and operate in a professional and commercial context. 
This unit is designed to support and accelerate your individual development as an independent learner, developing skills in self-organisation and critical reflection. which is an essential part of Level 4 study.
This unit will introduce a range of methodologies through a combination of classroom and/or workshop based activity to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in topics that will include: 
<ul><li dir="ltr">The Business mindset</li><li dir="ltr">Employment vs self employment</li><li dir="ltr">Tax &amp; National Insurance</li><li dir="ltr">Income, expenditure &amp; cashflow</li><li dir="ltr">Finance, accounting</li><li dir="ltr">Information systems &amp; digital capabilities</li><li dir="ltr">Legal &amp; regulatory frameworks</li><li dir="ltr">Ethics, sustainability &amp; social responsibility</li></ul>

30 credits
Business management covers a broad spectrum of activities concerned with the oversight of all the functions and operations within a business including strategic planning, generating sales and revenue, managing overheads, resources and staff. Effective management is critical to the success of any business, and this unit will introduce you to the important aspects that will help you develop the knowledge, and skills to successfully and responsibly manage your business.
Effective business management is often delivered through the creation of a strategic and deliverable plan for the business, a roadmap that outlines goals, strategies and operational plans, enabling business owners to structure their operations efficiently, make informed decisions and manage their finances both effectively and sustainably. For this unit you will create a Business Portfolio, consisting of appropriate research and information, strategic ideas, and business-focused concepts to form a clearly articulated and forward-looking plan for a specific enterprise, which demonstrates your business and management knowledge, understanding and creative vision. You will further strengthen your digital capabilities and employability attributes, developing your confidence and competence to think and operate effectively in the business environment. 
This unit will introduce a range of methodologies through a combination of classroom and/or workshop based activity to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in topics that will include: 
<ul><li dir="ltr">Principles &amp; practice of selling</li><li dir="ltr">Understanding consumer behaviour</li><li dir="ltr">Generating sales</li><li dir="ltr">Managing customer relationships</li><li dir="ltr">Protecting and monetising intellectual property rights</li><li dir="ltr">Information systems and business intelligence</li><li dir="ltr">Operations and overheads</li><li dir="ltr">Human Resources </li><li dir="ltr">Management &amp; leadership</li><li dir="ltr">Enterprise &amp; business innovation</li></ul>

30 credits
Marketing is a strategic business and management process, responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying both customer and business needs.. The marketing process is central to the performance of businesses of all sizes because it addresses the most important aspects that determine business success. It is about understanding the competitive marketplace and ensuring you can tap into key trends, reaching consumers with the right product or service at the right price, place and time. 
Successful marketing plans need to be delivered through effective branding. The identity of a business and its product or service offerings are fundamental to the way in which they connect with their consumers, build customer loyalty and establish reputation. 
This unit will introduce you to the fundamentals of marketing, branding and identity. You will be introduced to the thinking and working processes that underpin a marketing led approach to business. In the light of market and consumer research, you will be encouraged to consider and evaluate your own business ideas, to begin to develop your business identity and your own marketing and branding strategy. You will begin to explore the role of creativity and importance of effective visual communication in business, developing a visual portfolio of work that demonstrates your understanding. You will continue to develop your digital capabilities, developing skills in creative software applications, and will further develop your employability skills. 
This unit will introduce a range of topics and methodologies through a combination of classroom and/or workshop based activity to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in topics that will include: 
<ul><li dir="ltr">Markets and economies, </li><li dir="ltr">Market Research &amp; analysis</li><li dir="ltr">The Marketing Mix: The 7Ps</li><li dir="ltr">Segmentation, targeting, positioning </li><li dir="ltr">Creativity. innovation and enterprise</li><li dir="ltr">Principles of branding</li><li dir="ltr">Branding &amp; Visual identity</li><li dir="ltr">Marketing planning &amp; strategy</li><li dir="ltr">Marketing communications, advertising &amp; promotion</li></ul>

30 credits
Most successful businesses, particularly in the creative sector, thrive through collaboration and effective team working, with individuals sharing their ideas and skills to achieve their goals. Even the most individual and single minded entrepreneurs often need the input and support of others to realise their business ideas
This unit places some focus on collaboration as an approach to business as a way of working and an experience. This will support your engagement in teams, including with staff, in the development of creative business methodologies, from the generation of ideas and concepts to practical outcome and delivery. You will have opportunities to engage with the wider creative community, and with students from other disciplines, exchanging different ideas and perspectives. You will explore ways in which you can work together to support the development of your individual business projects and will be encouraged to share your creative attributes in pursuit of creative problem solving. This will further develop and enhance valuable employability attributes.
Supported by creative input from collaborative working, you will develop and finalise your individual business project. This will represent the culmination of your level 4 study, demonstrating your knowledge, understanding and skills in the presentation of a 10 minute pitch.
This unit will introduce a range of methodologies through a combination of classroom and/or workshop based activity to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in topics that will include: 
<ul><li dir="ltr">Business Planning &amp; strategy</li><li dir="ltr">Project Management</li><li dir="ltr">Collaborative working &amp; partnerships</li><li dir="ltr">Networking &amp; negotiating </li><li dir="ltr">Enterprise &amp; Entrepreneurship</li><li dir="ltr">Funding &amp; Investment</li><li dir="ltr">Pitching &amp; Presenting</li><li dir="ltr">Upscaling your business</li></ul>

Our unit structure applies to all of our undergraduate courses and creates a culture that promotes curiosity and creative thinking that extends beyond subject boundaries. Thematic approaches encourage an environment of free-flowing creative learning and opportunities for collaboration. Each unit will be contextualised by the subject specialism, and delivery will manifest uniquely through the specialist lens of each course.
For more detailed information, including the content of each unit, assessment criteria and reading lists, take a look at the full course information within our <a href="https://aup.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/files/courses/Arts-University-Plymouth-CertHE-Business-Management-for-Creatives-USFs-2026-27.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unit Specification Form</a> and our <a href="https://aup.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/files/courses/Arts-University-Plymouth-CertHE-Business-Management-for-Creatives-CSF-2026-27.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Course Specification Form</a> documents. To request alternative formats of the full Unit Specification Form, please email <a href="mailto:admissions@aup.ac.uk">admissions@aup.ac.uk</a>.

CertHE Business & Management for Creatives

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