Creative Entrepreneurship
- Level(s) of Study: Short course; Professional
- Course Fee:
£875
- Start Date(s): 11 August 2025, 3 October 2025
- Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week or Fridays 10 am - 4 pm, five weeks
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
11 - 15 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
3 - 31 October 2025, Fridays 10 am - 4 pm
Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 99.9% of the UK’s business population. They play an important role in the national economy. Many of these SMEs are creative micro-businesses specialising in design, craft and retail.
This intensive course responds to this by introducing entrepreneurship to designers and makers. It is aimed at innovative creatives who are seeking to launch their own business wishing to gain important industry insights and build upon their current skill set. It's aimed at anyone interested in graphic design, fashion design, textile design, product design, interior design, photography, accessories, jewellery and more.
Professionals, graduates as well as those from non-traditional education backgrounds will benefit. It will led be expert tutors and industry specialists who will impart their knowledge and help you plan your creative venture. The course will support you in:
- accessing the knowledge needed to launch a business
- developing your creative skills
- learning to innovate
- increasing your confidence in your ideas and ability
- bringing your business to market.
The course offers five university credits at a postgraduate level.
-
You’ll be part of a design community in a lively, energised classroom environment (rather than online solo working); one that promotes discussion, collaboration and the constant swapping of ideas. -
In addition to the classroom time, you'll have a one-hour one-to-one session with a tutor after the course to help develop your ideas further. -
Benefit from learning with experienced tutors who have significant experience working in varied creative professions. -
On successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance, a digital badge, and five credits at postgraduate level.
What you’ll study
The Future of Jobs Report 2023 indicates that the top skills of 2025 will include:
- innovation – responding to changing consumer habits
- originality
- problem-solving – and how small businesses can flex
- analytical thinking
- ideation.
This course will include of all these themes, and more. There will be exercises in:
- design thinking theory from Stanford University
- creating customer segments and customer personas
- implementing the business model canvas
- creating a minimum viable product
- testing and innovation
- primary and secondary research
- defining brand values and vision.
Within the classroom, you will brainstorm ideas as a group. The design of the course allows you to work with peers, pitch entrepreneurial ideas, and provide and receive feedback, thus allowing you to reflect, pivot and amend your plans. Building confidence in your business ideas and products is key.
It will provide the foundations for the incubation of new ideas in a ‘business sprint’ format, collaborating with other entrepreneurs during both the course and mentoring session.
After studying this course, you should be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of entrepreneurship
- research innovative practices and sustainable opportunities
- formulate a viable business plan
- communicate clearly and efficiently your business idea
- show confidence in your entrepreneurship and innovation skills
- develop your core business skills and bring these to the market.
- learn to build confidence in your entrepreneurial ideas, learn how to validate your products and services, and explore innovation and design thinking
- define your business strategy and purpose - your mission, vision and values, including stainable and ethical practices
- identify your audience via consumer profiles, target customers and market research, gaining clarity on your customers, USP and brand positioning
- create a business model and plan that includes financing, pricing and viability, and come away with actionable next steps to take your business to market.
How you’re taught
The course combines entrepreneurial theory, innovation, and creative problem-solving through a series of lectures, seminars, and workshops with industry experts.
It will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University’s city campus.
There will be a final assessment based upon your business plan. You will receive a pass/fail mark. Written feedback from your tutors will identify strengths evident in your business proposition and ideas on what to focus on to improve your entrepreneurial skills.
You will also receive a one-hour one-to-one mentoring session after the course to support your progression.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with your experienced tutors, plus there will be time outside of class to undertake research and reading. Information about this will be shared before the first session.
Careers and employability
The course is designed to prepare you to succeed in creating your own small business.
Certificate of attendance and digital badge
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by Accredible.
Your digital credential is more than just a certificate – it’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.
They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.
Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.
Campus and facilities
You will be based on the NTU City Campus.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
Entry requirements
Level: Professional
Entry requirements: No previous experience is required. You should have an idea of the business you which to grow in mind. This can be at the early stages or something more developed.
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £875.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
11 - 15 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
3 - 31 October 2025, Fridays 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all our design and digital arts courses.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813