Change of focus: are creative industries being overlooked?

This sense of grievance appears as a powerful subtext in Creative Futures, the new report on HE and the UK's creative industries. Jokes about media studies degrees have clearly worn thin: the authors call explicitly on government and creative industries to work with universities to "challenge popular misconceptions that… some creative industry courses are academically trivial and lack professional relevance".

As Creative Futures repeatedly points out, the UK's creative sector is vast: at 7.3% of GDP it is the largest in the EU, and on a par with the UK's financial services industry. The professional relevance of creative industry degrees should, the report implies, be judged in this context. The report cites numerous 'case studies' of vocational degrees – for example, BA Art Event Performance at Leeds Metropolitan University; Product Design, Innovation And Marketing at Derby; Design Studies with Fashion Promotion at Southampton Solent – which, say the authors, encompass both the 'generic' skills of teamwork, communication, leadership etc., and the particular requirements of highly specialised industries.

The research concludes that 'innovation-active' universities which have formed relationships with and responded to developments in the creative industries have made a significant contribution to the success of the sector, which now employs over two million people in the UK.

Professor Les Ebdon, chair of Million+ and vice-chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, said: "Creative universities and creative industries have delivered sustainable employment, encouraged entrepreneurship and have been key drivers in revitalising cities and regions. Government has raised the strategic importance of science and engineering, and a similar strategy would boost the UK’s position as world leader in the creative economy and promote the graduate qualifications, research and knowledge transfer activities in universities that have been a cornerstone of this success. A new AHCIRC would send a powerful message that this strategy is centre-stage."

He added: "This needs to be matched by innovation in HE teaching and research funding regimes to recognise interdisciplinarity of courses and the innovative blends of teaching and practice-based research, and state-of-the-art, industry-standard facilities that are crucial to delivering employability skills and the creative entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Creative Futures shows, without any shadow of doubt, that universities have added significant value to the creative economy, adding cultural capital – including venues and facilities – of wider value to local communities."

The idea of a new arts funding council has drawn significant support from among Million+’s members, including the University of Northampton. Wes Streeting, president of the NUS, added student backing to the idea of a review. Streeting said: "The links between the creative industries and innovative universities have offered new opportunities in higher education and resonated with students… There is certainly a case to review funding models to ensure all universities have access to investment in research infrastructure."