May 3 2024 – Global Academy, a unique media school founded by Global, the Media & Entertainment Group, has launched a brand-new alternative to University for young creatives in Manchester who want to pursue a career in the creative industries. The course is based in Global’s North West broadcast centre and is free for school and college leavers aged 18. Applications are open now.

Successful applicants will study two days a week from September – May and they will work towards a Level 4 Professional Diploma in Creative Enterprise created by University of the Arts London Awarding Body. The course is meticulously crafted to equip students with vital skills, knowledge, and industry insights for a thriving career in the creative sector. It will help expand their networks, build entrepreneurial skills, and kick-start their career in media.

Global Academy has partnered with industry experts to offer hands on experience and tailored training to prepare young creatives for a prosperous career. The course is backed and supported by Global, Europe’s largest media and entertainment company.

Based in the vibrant XYZ Building in Spinningfields – the centre of Manchester’s creative hub – students will be working from Global’s broadcast centre alongside state-of-the-art radio studios, home of Capital and Heart North West.

“It’s fantastic that we’re able to bring our specialist training to the North West to help kick-start the careers of young creatives in the region. Manchester has such a rich creative history so it’s the perfect place to launch the second Global Academy.

Last week, Creative UK unveiled research revealing that 75% of 18-25 year-olds want to work in creative sectors but more than 42% say it’s too hard to break into. The organisation released a manifesto stating that its number one priority is to grow the workforce of tomorrow by prioritising creative skills and education. We share that same ambition.

University isn’t for everyone so for any young person wanting to launch a media venture, or have their creativity nurtured, this Year 14 Global Academy course in Manchester will be a game-changer.

The immersive course will open doors to unparalleled industry experience, it will connect them with world-class brands and leading media companies, and it will ensure essential business skills are mastered and put into practice.

I can’t wait to see a brand-new cohort of passionate young people thrive and develop both personally and professionally over the course of the year.” – JONATHAN JACOB, DIRECTOR OF SPECIALISM AT GLOBAL ACADEMY

The Year 14 course launched at Global Academy’s West London campus in 2022 and has seen nearly 100 school leavers set up a creative business or develop industry experience in radio, social media, podcasting, creative design, marketing and events.

Ronnie Koldashi, aged 20, graduated from the programme in 2023 and has since set up his own freelance video production and marketing business. His current clients include Savoys Properties and he oversees their social media and content creation.

“Global Academy opened doors to a host of opportunities for me and I am glad to have been part of the journey and forever grateful. The Year 14 course gave me the confidence, knowledge and skills to manage other creatives and run my own business.” – RONNIE KOLDASHI

Course Outline

The Global Academy Manchester curriculum echoes the approach of Global Academy in Hayes where students are taught the skills, knowledge and behaviours to help them build a long-lasting career as creative professionals and entrepreneurs. It provides opportunities for passionate individuals to delve into entrepreneurial activities and hone vital business and management skills essential for identifying and seizing creative sector opportunities.

September – October: Unit 1: The Creative Entrepreneur

This unit introduces students to the essential enterprise skills necessary to kick-start a creative business venture.

October – January: Unit 2: The Creative Practitioner

This unit provides students with opportunities to define their creative ambitions by providing time and space to research and develop creative ideas. Students will also position and contextualise creative concepts and will create case studies to identify and distinguish competitors operating within their chosen field.

January – May: Unit 3: The Creative Enterprise development project

This unit requires students to develop, formalise and present a sustainable creative enterprise business plan. Students will take control of their professional development by independently initiating a feasibility study, which will support and inform an in-depth creative enterprise business plan. The business plan will outline all the budgetary, legal, branding, marketing and health and safety requirements while also contextualising the student’s creative practice within the wider creative industry.