Master of Creative Industries

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Master of Creative Industries course guide.

Study a Master of Creative Industries

Become a leader in the creative or cultural sector with UC's Master of Creative Industries.

Study fully online, on campus or a mix of both in this customisable course. Choose from electives in Digital Marketing, Creative Leadership, Design or Heritage Materials to follow your passions, deepen your expertise or move into a new field. Get inspired with guest lecturers and course content from leaders working in the nation’s top creative and cultural institutions.

Across the course, you'll expand your network as you study, providing a supportive community for career development.

Adobe Creative Campus

We're Canberra's first Adobe Creative Campus, giving you free access to industry tools.

100% online

Study fully online, or campus or a mix of both to suit your schedule.

Reduced fees

Commonwealth Supported Places available for domestic students. Conditions apply.

Adobe Creative Campus

We're Canberra's first Adobe Creative Campus, giving you free access to industry tools.

100% online

Study fully online, or campus or a mix of both to suit your schedule.

Reduced fees

Commonwealth Supported Places available for domestic students. Conditions apply.

Study level

Postgraduate

Delivery mode

Online
On campus
Blended

Duration

2 years, full-time

Intake dates

10 August 2026
15 February 2027
09 August 2027

Course cost

Commonwealth Supported Places available.
Conditions apply.

Want to know more?

Schedule a call with our friendly team to learn more about the Master of Creative Industries and the specialisations available.

Smiling man sitting with a laptop studying a Master of Creative Industries.

Course highlights

Build your qualification in stages, from a certificate, diploma to a Master's degree.

Study Creative Industries online, part-time and around your schedule. This course is designed for working professionals.

Refine your professional judgement, negotiation skills, strategic planning and analytical thinking.

Enhance your ability to form and nurture business relationships.

Course details

Core units

Our Master of Creative Industries is designed for flexibility, giving you the freedom to tailor your study around your interests and career goals. Core units build a strong foundation in creative practice, research, audience insight and the role of the creative industries in today’s evolving landscape.

You’ll develop skills in analysing trends, audiences and behaviours, while strengthening your approach to research, planning and evaluation, preparing you for specialised study and real-world application.

Choose to specialise in Digital Marketing, Creative Leadership, Design or Heritage Materials Conservation.

Explore your core Master of Creative Industries units:

Learn more

Career outlook

Between 2023 to 2024, the cultural and creative sector contributed $67.4 billion to the economy, with advertising and promotion among its largest contributors.

For creative and cultural professionals, that points to strong long-term relevance across culture and heritage, media, marketing, business, government and the arts.

Source: Cultural and Creative Activity in Australia, 2014–15 to 2023–24, Australian Government, 2025.

Career opportunities include:

Agency Director
Art Director
Creative Business Owner
Creative Director
Curator
Entrepreneur
Gallery Manager
Marketing Manager
Multimedia Artist
Publicist
Screen Director
Senior Designer
Senior Public Servant in the Creative or Cultural sectors

Entry requirements

You can apply for the Master of Creative Industries if you meet one of the following:

An undergraduate degree (AQF Level 7) or equivalent
Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Academic Foundations (EDC201)

Students who have completed a graduate certificate, graduate diploma and/or relevant Bachelor’s degree at UC may apply and receive credit for the units completed. Conditions apply. Additional credit may be available depending on your previous study.

UC also considers a range of factors when assessing your application, including your academic record, English proficiency and relevant work experience.

Professional and alternative entry

Professional Pathway Entry: If you have significant work experience or industry-recognised qualifications, you may be eligible to enter without a prior degree.
Veteran Tertiary Support Program: Defence members at O-1 level or above, or E06 and above, are eligible for direct entry.

Explore our alternate pathway programs and admissions schemes.

Build your degree in stages

You can build your qualification step by step, with the flexibility to start where it suits you. Begin with a Graduate Certificate in your chosen Creative Industries specialisation, then continue on to a Graduate Diploma and when you’re ready, complete your Master’s degree.

Build your qualifications as you study, with knowledge you can put into practice straight away.

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

Study your course with reduced fees.

A course with Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) means the Australian Government has subsidised a portion of your degree, reducing the total balance you are required to pay (known as the student contribution amount).

The CSP amount is determined by the course you are undertaking and the industry you'll be working in after graduation.

Learn more

FEE help

Some students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may be eligible to apply to defer payment of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government's FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP schemes.

Visit our fees page for useful information about eligibility and how to apply and pay. You can apply for FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP once you have enrolled in a course.

Visit FEE-HELP

Meet your program director

Bilquis Ghani

Welcome to the Master of Creative Industries at the University of Canberra! Your Program Director is Dr Bilquis Ghani and she is looking forward to meeting you. Bilquis is passionate about supporting students, like you, to have rich and fulfilling careers in the creative and culture sector.

She completed her doctoral thesis on the role of culture and creativity in war afflicted contexts, releasing her book A Sociology from Art Praxis in Afghanistan in 2026. She is also the lead and founder of a not-for-profit organisation called Hunar Symposia, bringing creatives and thinkers together in innovative ways as they explore the role of the creative industries in society.

Before coming to Canberra, Bilquis was the Head of Inclusion at the iconic Sydney Opera House. She has also managed outreach programs in the tertiary sector, so she brings with her a deep understanding of the importance of equity, belonging and support for a positive student experience.

What you will learn

Choose to specialise or mix and match units to suit you and then complete either a work integrated learning or research unit (total of 16 units required).

FAQs

What is a Master of Creative Industries?

UC’s Master of Creative Industries is a postgraduate degree designed for professionals looking to build advanced expertise and leadership capability in the creative and cultural sectors.

The course explores how creative work operates across industries and communities, with a focus on innovation, strategy and real-world application. You’ll engage with areas such as digital marketing, design, creative leadership and heritage materials, while developing the skills to navigate change, apply emerging technologies and deliver impactful creative outcomes.

It is suited to those looking to deepen their knowledge, move into more creative roles, freelance or start their own business, or progress into leadership positions across the creative and cultural industries.

Can I study the Master of Creative Industries online?

UC’s Master of Creative Industries can be studied fully online, allowing you to complete your degree from anywhere in Australia.

An on campus study mode is also available for students who prefer to learn in person.

With full-time and part-time options, the course offers flexibility for professionals balancing study with work, family and other commitments. Additionally, your work experience or other qualifications may reduce your total study time and even reduce your course fees.

Learn more about prior work and study recognition.

Will a Creative Industries degree help me start a business?

UC’s Master of Creative Industries is designed to build the skills and confidence you need to turn creative ideas into real opportunities. You’ll learn how to develop concepts, pitch projects and create strategies for creative work and businesses.

Whether you’re aiming to start your own business or begin a creative side hustle in marketing, design or content creation, the course gives you practical, real-world experience to get started. You’ll also explore pathways into more rewarding roles across the creative, cultural and heritage sectors.

With flexible study options, industry connections and opportunities to apply your learning through Work Integrated Learning or projects, you’ll graduate ready to build your own venture, grow a freelance career or bring an entrepreneurial mindset to any creative role.

A Creative Industries degree can take you in many different directions, depending on your interests. You could build a career in fields like marketing, design, media production, arts and cultural organisations, or bring creative thinking into business and strategy roles.

It’s also designed to build on what you already know. You’ll deepen your expertise while developing confidence in leadership, project management and strategic thinking, helping you step into more senior roles and take on greater responsibility within creative teams and organisations.

What can you do with a Master of Creative Industries?

A Creative Industries degree can take you in many different directions, depending on your interests. You could build a career in fields like marketing, design, media production, arts and cultural organisations, or bring creative thinking into business and strategy roles.

It’s also designed to build on what you already know. You’ll deepen your expertise while developing confidence in leadership, project management and strategic thinking, helping you step into more senior roles and take on greater responsibility within creative teams and organisations.

Can I get help with the application process?

At UC, we’re here to help you succeed! Once you’re ready to apply to UC, our process depends on your student type and course. You can find all the requirements, criteria and processes on the Apply to UC page.

If you have further questions or would like assistance with your application, you can get in touch with our Future Student team.