Creative Industries

Welcome to Glasgow Caledonian's Department of Creative Industries, where we combine expert teaching, professional opportunities and leading research.

We offer a broad range of courses across Events, Fashion, Marketing, Media, Journalism, and Tourism. We're proud to say GCU is in the UK top 10 for Media and Communications as well as Hospitality, Leisure, Recreation and Tourism (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).

GCU is the only Scottish Higher Education partner for the Albert Sustainability initiative. This is a collaborative BAFTA, independent production and broadcaster-backed project that provides the film and TV industries with sustainability expertise. The project aims for all UK screen productions to benefit individuals, industry organisations and the planet.

We're also ranked in the UK top 10 for Communication and Media Studies research, with 100% of communications, culture, and media research impact rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).

As part of the Glasgow School for Business and Society we offer consultancy, research and knowledge transfer services to business and public sector organisations. We can connect you with academic experts, commercial centres and research partners.

Research and global influence

Our staff are actively shaping the creative research landscape, including within traditional academic publication and wider public outreach. Our research feeds closely into teaching, with some of our most innovative course developments resulting directly from staff research interests. This means GCU learning is informed by experts who are influencing professional practice across the creative and cultural sectors.

Media research areas include television production, formats and genres, rural creative economy and cultural policy for music, digital and fan cultures, and regional journalism.

As for fashion, events tourism, lifestyle and food, our researchers tackle sustainability, ethical practice, customer engagement, branding, and more. We've hosted international events such as the Global Fashion Conference (GFC23: Fashion for the Common Good), where our Consumer Lifestyles and Experiences research was circulated to over 300 industry leaders and entrepreneurs.

We've also received project funding from many prestigious organisations, such as:

as well as national and global cultural institutions including:

Industry links

Our industry partners have an active role in ensuring our graduates are at the forefront of the latest industry practices. GCU Media and Journalism alumni have gone on to work for major media outlets as writers, script editors, storyliners and producers.

Graduates of our Fashion, Marketing, Tourism and Events (FMTE) courses are known for their creativity, strong commercial awareness, and academic competence. We work closely with The Marketing Society Scotland (MS) which directly supports our student-led GCU Marketing Society (MACU).

We've collaborated with major organisations such as:

Our facilities

Our courses have a vocational focus that will arm you with valuable hands-on experience with industry-standard tech.

GCU has purpose-built facilities including our Media Suite, consisting of a realistic newsroom, a HD TV studio, and two digital radio presentation studios. You'll access modern digital and web design software to give you transferable skills to thrive in your chosen multimedia or journalism career.

The Fashion Factory is our contemporary Design and Cutting studio, equipped with industrial machinery used in design and production. This includes tools for modern manufacturing and Computer-Aided Design (CAD). We also hold annual student showcases to celebrate work in fashion design, branding, and marketing and give you a taste of industry events and networks.

Our International Tourism and Events Management course is delivered by a research-active team including staff from the GCU Moffat Centre. The Moffat Centre is the UK's largest university-based consultancy for tourism and travel market research and business development. The Centre connects with almost 1,000 Scottish organisations and offers data-led advice in attraction development and marketing.

See more of the Media Suite.

Visit the Moffat Centre webpage.

Study with us

We'll ready you for a career in the dynamic and fast-moving global creative industries. As a GCU student, you'll benefit from professional connections in Scotland's most creative city.

Our extensive industry links have helped us earn accreditation from leading organisations. For example, our unique BA and MA Multimedia Journalism courses are the only double-accredited journalism degrees in Scotland. They both hold dual accreditation from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (since 2005) and Broadcast Journalism Training Council (since 2008). Our MSc Marketing and MSc International Fashion Marketing courses are accredited by the internationally recognised Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

We'll connect you with guest experts who share masterclasses, find relevant placements and open up fantastic graduate employment opportunities. Past speakers include actor and GCU honorary graduate Martin Compston, and Jed Mercurio, writer and producer of the BBC’s Line of Duty. We've also hosted broadcasting figureheads such as Scottish presenter Kirsty Wark, who spoke to Multimedia Journalism students about the rise of fake news.

Through key networks, hands-on learning and a commitment to the Common Good, you'll graduate ready to make your creative mark in Glasgow and beyond.

Digital Design (direct entry)
BSc (Hons)

Digital Design (direct entry)
Mode of study Duration Start date Location UCAS code
Full time
 2 years Sep 27 Glasgow 3K7Q

Study the creation of visual design, user experience for web, mobile and motion graphics at degree level. Solve complex problems with innovative, visually creative solutions and progress as a Digital Designer or UI/UX Designer.

Fashion Design with Business
BA (Hons)

Fashion Design with Business
Mode of study Duration Start date Location UCAS code
Full time
 4 years Sep 27 Glasgow 8U9N

Using your creativity and innovation skills, you can study textiles, illustration, CAD, design and production, together with business and marketing at degree level. Progress to an exciting career as a designer or start your own fashion business.

International Fashion Branding
BA (Hons)

International Fashion Branding
Mode of study Duration Start date Location UCAS code
Full Time
 4 Years Sep 27 Glasgow W2N5

This course is your gateway into one of the world’s most dynamic industries. It combines creative flair with strategic business thinking, helping you develop the skills and confidence to shape the fashion industry of tomorrow.

International Tourism and Events Management Pathway
BA (Hons)

International Tourism and Events Management Pathway
Mode of study Duration Start date Location UCAS code
Full Time
 4 Years Aug 27 Multiple Locations N821

Study an HND at college for two years and progress to Year 3 of this degree. You'll continue at university for a further two years to graduate with a BA (Hons) International Tourism and Events Management.

Meet the department

Our teaching and support staff are here to help.

For course and programme enquiries:

T: +44 (0) 141 331 8630

E:  studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk