

Mode of Study
Part-time, Full-timeDuration
1 year full time, 2 years part-timeStart date
September 2023, January 2024Overview
If you're a creative ready to take your studies to the next level, our MRes in Creative Industries is a postgraduate taught degree that can help you achieve your ambitions and land your dream job.
On this course, you'll complete a large research project and tailor your studies to match your career path, while receiving the support you need to develop your skills in research. You can choose to study in any of the schools within the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries: Architecture, Art, Design and Performance, Creative Technologies and Film, Media and Communication.
Whether you're planning to go on to further research – such as PhD study – or looking to start your career in a creative industry such as architecture, the media, teaching or the performing arts, then the MRes in Creative Industries will give you the skills you need to succeed.
And when you graduate, you'll do so with one of the following degrees, depending on what you choose to focus on:
- MRes Architecture
- MRes Creative Practice
- MRes Design
- MRes Design Practice
- MRes Digital Curation
- MRes Curation
- MRes Media Industries
- MRes Sustainable Innovation
- MRes Theatre Performance
- MRes Urban Design
- MRes Visual Culture
- MRes Visualisation
- MRes Journalism

The University of Portsmouth is ranked third of all modern post-92 universities in the UK for research power
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
Read more about our excellent research
Entry requirements
MRes Creative Industries degree entry requirements
Qualifications or experience
- An upper second-class honours degree in a related subject.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Selection process
You will be asked to write a short research proposal upon receipt of your application.
Applicants may be subject to interview.
Applicants may need to submit a portfolio as part of the process.
For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our MRes Creative Industries portfolio guide.
What you'll experience
On this Creative Industries course, you'll:
- Conduct a detailed research project in the creative field of your choice
- Learn from experienced and enthusiastic staff who are experts in the field
- Get experience working in a productive research community, and benefit from satisfying intellectual challenges
- Take part in formal research training sessions, including peer and critical reviews, grant application, and conference presentation
- Have access to the faculty's sound and TV studios, technical labs which feature 3D printing facilities, photographic workshops, VR lab, motion capture facilities and computer suites, and our 92-seat theatre with lighting, sound and AV technology
- Have 24/7 access to our library's resources, including books, ejournals and DVDs
Careers and opportunities
The MRes in Creative Industries will place you in a strong position to pursue doctoral or research related roles as a career. You'll graduate from the course with valuable research skills and training, which will place you in a strong position to secure employment across private and public sector industries.
Areas you can go into with a Creative Industries degree
Career opportunities include:
- Research-related careers
- PhD study
- Architectural or creative practice
- Curation
- Design
- Teaching
- Theatre Performance
It was one of the only courses in the UK that gave me flexibility of study and the support I needed, as well as the facilities in the Eldon Building. On the open day, everyone was also extremely friendly. I can join onto modules from other courses, tailored to my research for the year.
Work experience and career planning
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the creative and cultural industries.
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
Learning support
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- taught sessions
- face-to-face meetings
- independent study
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- project proposal
- literature review
- reflective practice
- presentations
- dissertation
Course costs and funding
Fees subject to annual increase.
Tuition fees
- Full-time: £8,100
- Part-time:
- Year 1 (60 credits): £2,700
- Year 2 (120 credits): £5,400
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £8,100
- Part-time:
- Year 1 (60 credits): £2,700
- Year 2 (120 credits): £5,400
- Full-time: £16,200
- Part-time:
- Year 1 (60 credits): £5,400
- Year 2 (120 credits): £10,800
Funding your studies
Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government postgraduate loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Cost breakdown
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
You may be required to spend £100 - £200 per annum on sundry materials.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
If you choose to complete a project not supported by existing University resources, you may wish to purchase extra materials or software. These costs will depend on the nature of the project.
Also, if the project involves working with an external client, you may have to pay travel costs for attending occasional development meetings. These may be in the region £50 - £100.
Apply
Start your application by following the link below:
September 2023 start
- Full-time study (1 year)
- Part-time study (2 years)
January 2024 start
- Full-time study (1 year)
- Part-time study (2 years)
International students
If you're from outside of the UK, you can apply directly to us (above) or you can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.