Business Management for the Creative Industries (Animation)

Course overview: Step confidently into business in the creative world. This course combines your passion for animation and visual storytelling with the commercial insight, entrepreneurial mindset and strategic skills you need to thrive as a leader and innovator in the creative industries. Whether you aspire to manage animation studios, produce feature films, launch your own creative business, or lead production teams in global media organisations, this course gives you the knowledge and experience to lead your creative ambition.

You study core business principles, such as marketing, finance, project management, innovation and leadership, through the lens of the creative economy. Explore the unique challenges and opportunities of the animation industry, from securing funding and managing IP, to working with multidisciplinary teams and navigating rapid technological change. Throughout your studies, you will work on live projects and collaborative briefs with students from animation, games and visual effects – mirroring the dynamic, cross-functional environment of industry. You also engage with real clients, developing practical know-how while building a portfolio of creative business experience.

Whether you dream of running a studio, producing content for global platforms or launching the next big animation brand, this course equips you with the creative and commercial toolkit to bring your ideas to life – and lead them to success.

Top reasons to study this course

1. Global recognition: benefit from Teesside’s international reputation in animation education, ranked 19th globally (Animation Career Review 2024) and ScreenSkills Select accreditation.
2. Industry connections: engage with global brands and creative leaders at events like Animex – one of the world's biggest festivals of animation and computer games – and through client briefs, mentoring, and live collaborations.
3. Entrepreneurial opportunities: access support from Launchpad, our on-campus start-up incubator, where over 500 student-led businesses have launched.
4. Career-ready skills: explore emerging technologies, digital business models, and the impact of AI on animation production and distribution.

After the course: You build skills to become a creative business leader equipped to shape the future of animation and screen-based media. Combining a passion for the creative digital sector with strategic business skills, you become prepared to work in studios, produce creative projects, and lead production teams in global media companies.

From managing intellectual property to working in multidisciplinary teams and adapting to digital disruption, you graduate with real-world skills grounded in the realities of today’s industry.

Recognised for excellence in animation education, this course gives you the professional edge to succeed in the global creative economy – whether you're launching your own venture or stepping into leadership within established media organisations.