What do our students think?
Jess' Creative Advertising Story
Hear from Jess what it's like to study Creative Advertising at the University of Lincoln! He talks about his experiences, the facilities on offer, and much much more.

Clearing offers from 48 UCAS tariff points. Subject-specific requirements still apply. See the entry requirements section for details.
Brayford Pool
3 years (4 years with Foundation Year)
W213
Advertising is about more than selling products. It's about understanding people, generating original ideas, and creating campaigns that influence culture, behaviour, and conversation.
At the University of Lincoln, BA (Hons) Creative Advertising is designed for students who want to combine creativity with strategy. You'll learn how professional advertising campaigns are developed - from insight and concept creation through to copywriting, art direction, social content, branding, and multi-platform campaign execution.
Whether you see yourself working in a global agency, creating social-first campaigns for brands, becoming a copywriter or art director, or building your own creative business, this course helps you develop the practical skills, industry experience, and portfolio needed to enter the advertising industry with confidence.
What makes Lincoln stand out is the balance between creative freedom and professional preparation. You'll work on live briefs, collaborate across creative disciplines, hear directly from advertising professionals, and build a portfolio that showcases your ideas to employers before you graduate.
With strong industry links, award-winning student work, and graduates working at agencies including BBC Creative, VCCP, Saatchi & Saatchi, Wieden+Kennedy, and Ogilvy, Lincoln offers a course focused on where creative careers actually begin.
Advertising is a career built on the power of your imagination and your ability to make people listen to, and care about, what you have to say. On this course you'll learn how to develop original ideas and bring them to life in the most compelling way while using your creativity and communication skills to change the way people think.
We'll explore conceptual thinking, copywriting, art direction, and the different types of media a professional advertising creative will need to know, as well as helping you present your ideas effectively and persuasively. The course has close relationships with advertising agencies and brands around the world, so you'll also get to practise your skills with briefs from real clients.
This programme is also available with an Arts Foundation Year, which can provide an alternative route of entry on to the full degree programme. Find out more at https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/afyafyub/.
Jess' Creative Advertising Story
Hear from Jess what it's like to study Creative Advertising at the University of Lincoln! He talks about his experiences, the facilities on offer, and much much more.

✔ Build a professional creative portfolio
Develop campaigns, concepts, and creative work that can help you stand out to employers and agencies.
✔ Work on live industry briefs
Respond to real-world creative challenges set by agencies and brands, gaining experience of professional advertising practice.
✔ Learn from industry-experienced creatives
Study with staff who have professional experience across advertising, branding, communication, and creative industries.
✔ Explore multiple creative career paths
Develop skills in:
✔ Gain exposure to the advertising industry
Take part in:
✔ Join a highly satisfied student community
Lincoln’s subject area has been ranked highly for student satisfaction, helping reassure students and parents looking for a supportive learning environment.
It is encouraging to see students overflowing with ideas that are both insightful, fresh and challenging. I have set the brief I gave to the Lincoln second years to a number of other courses, yet the work produced by the Lincoln students was head and shoulders above the rest.
Simon Lloyd
Global Creative Director, adam&eveDDB
This course focuses on how creative ideas are developed, refined, and communicated professionally.
You’ll learn how to:
You’ll also explore how advertising is changing through:
Teaching combines studio practice, workshops, tutorials, collaborative projects, and independent creative development. Rather than simply studying theory, you’ll spend time creating, testing, refining, and presenting your own ideas.
By your final year, you’ll produce a professional portfolio designed to help you move directly into employment or freelance creative work.
This module focuses on fostering curiosity and enquiry based learning. It provides students with opportunities to question and interrogate a variety of themes. This module aims to encourage students to think critically and solve problems laterally and move away from prescribed and predictable outcomes. Audience and human observations are central to this module, students are therefore encouraged to move beyond the studio setting to engage with real world problems directly at source.
This theory-based module introduces you to key concepts, debates, and case studies surrounding creativity and the creative process, forming a foundation for a reflective and informed creative practice. By engaging with these ideas, you can gain insights that enhance and support your hands-on studio work across your program. This module aims to deepen understanding, encouraging you to think critically about creativity while connecting theory to practice in meaningful, impactful ways.
This module focuses on creative disciplines, introducing students to the foundations of visual communication, art direction, and copy writing. Students will be encouraged to play and experiment with a variety of media, to foster a stronger sense of visual awareness and consideration for craft. Through storytelling, character development and typography, students will be encouraged to explore and experiment to produce visually compelling work which is both considered and unexpected. Whilst building on the prerequisite skills needed for the creative industries, students will be encouraged to challenge existing practices whilst looking outward towards emerging trends.
This module focuses on the developing students' unique, creative voices. It provides opportunities to discover new ways of working and reinvent some tried and tested methods. Utilising our industry links, we have tailored this module to create mavericks, creative rebels, in short those who will stand apart from the crowd when looking for employment. This module aims to encourage students to take risks, embrace failure, and ultimately find fresh, novel approaches to problem-solving. As this module is largely focused on discovering the individuality of the students, teaching will be delivered in a range of ways to accommodate differences in learning styles, from large group discussions, to personal tutorials.
The module aims to develop a deep and fundamental understanding of advertising practice through the scrutiny of ‘strategy – concept – execution’ as an important creative process. Students can explore different practical techniques for idea generation, copywriting, and strategies to solve a wide range of advertising problems. The module is underpinned by teamwork. Psychology and communication theories inform the practical projects and explore a wide variety of current advertising media.
This module links to industry with a focus on employability. The advertising industry is examined and contextualised through studio-based activities. Central to this module is the opportunity for the student to elect a self-initiated work placement, or alternatively a live brief from either an agency or end client. Students may gain real life experience and the opportunity to engage with industry in a contextualised manner as they start to prepare for their career.
The "Interdisciplinary Collaboration" module offers an exciting and dynamic learning experience for students in graphic design, creative advertising, illustration, and product design. Each year, the module's projects are tailored to reflect the latest trends and needs in the design industry, ensuring that students gain relevant and cutting-edge skills. With a focus on user experience design, AI in design, influencing and content creation, virtual reality, and design for social change, students will work on projects that challenge their creativity and technical abilities. This module is ideal for those looking to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of design and make a meaningful impact through their work. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for students to shape their own degree, offering pathways for further elective specialisms in Level 3. Students will also have the chance to learn and utilise new industry tools and technologies, and work in new groups outside of their existing course, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration that reflects the current design industry.
The module explores in more depth the skills and experience of visual communication, copywriting, and creative advertising developed in the first year of the programme. Central to the module is the process of making informed decisions that result in visually appropriate creative solutions to advertising problems. Students can explore different methodologies, practical techniques for realising and executing creative ideas, and creative concepts and strategies.
The Industry Placement Year is an exciting opportunity for students to take a year out of formal study to gain real-world experience in the creative industries. Whether you’re looking to build industry connections, develop professional skills, or explore career options, this year will give you a full-time, hands-on experience within a creative organisation.
This year is a collaborative experience between you, your employer, and the University—ensuring that you get the most out of your time in a professional setting.
This module provides an opportunity for students in the Lincoln School of Design & Architecture to spend a semester in Year 2 studying at one of the University’s partner institutions. This opportunity has both academic and personal development dimensions.
In academic terms, during the semester abroad students undertake models that are equivalent to 60 credit module and content at one of the UoL partner institution in semester B.
Participation in study-abroad also offers unique opportunities for personal student development in the wider sense. Although students will be supported through the application process by the Module Co-ordinator and colleagues at the partner institution, much of the responsibility for organising the time abroad rests with the student. Study abroad offers the opportunity for students to develop graduate attributes, a global mindset and transferrable skills as exercise resilience, flexibity and open mindedness when adapting to and working effectively within a different academic culture and environment.
Students must submit an application to the School discuss why they wish to participate in a study period abroad.
This module is optional for undergraduate students within the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. Study Abroad enables you to study at one of the University’s approved partner institutions.
During the time spent abroad, you can share classes with local students and study modules at the partner institution which have been approved in advance by the University. As many partner institutions support internships, you may choose to combine study with work and/or a period of volunteering.
This module aims to develop the visual craft skills and experience associated with creative advertising. Through the exploration of the visual and copywriting craft of their ideas students can engage with respected national and international competitions as a means of understanding and gaining insight and knowledge of qualities appropriate to the industry. Presentation skills may be developed to create high standards of verbal presentation and visual communication of the work.
Contextual Studies 3 is an independent research study module which takes the form either of a dissertation and/or a number of other options. The module offers students an opportunity to explore in depth a topic of their own choice, chosen generally, but not exclusively in relation to the practice and/or context of their programme-specific studies and studio practice.
This studio-based module covers the exploration and production of engaging advertising campaigns that creatively exploit a wide range of different media and demonstrate the factors that impact upon effective communication such as insight and human truth. Innovation, initiative, teamwork, and creative independence are core components enabling students the chance to develop a higher level of autonomy. Students are expected to produce a final portfolio of highly effective and creative work that explores important themes and demonstrates an advanced understanding of strategy origination, concept creation, and effective execution.
At the core of this module is the production of a portfolio of work in preparation of entry to the advertising industry. This studio-based module enables the students to explore opportunities and requirements of the advertising and wider creative communication industries. An appreciation of professional practice standards and expectations may be developed through contact with current practitioners within advertising and related communication disciplines. Students can develop a high standard of visual and verbal presentation skills to demonstrate creative ability and comprehension of the discipline.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
This module focuses on fostering curiosity and enquiry based learning. It provides students with opportunities to question and interrogate a variety of themes. This module aims to encourage students to think critically and solve problems laterally and move away from prescribed and predictable outcomes. Audience and human observations are central to this module, students are therefore encouraged to move beyond the studio setting to engage with real world problems directly at source.
This theory-based module introduces you to key concepts, debates, and case studies surrounding creativity and the creative process, forming a foundation for a reflective and informed creative practice. By engaging with these ideas, you can gain insights that enhance and support your hands-on studio work across your program. This module aims to deepen understanding, encouraging you to think critically about creativity while connecting theory to practice in meaningful, impactful ways.
This module focuses on creative disciplines, introducing students to the foundations of visual communication, art direction, and copy writing. Students will be encouraged to play and experiment with a variety of media, to foster a stronger sense of visual awareness and consideration for craft. Through storytelling, character development and typography, students will be encouraged to explore and experiment to produce visually compelling work which is both considered and unexpected. Whilst building on the prerequisite skills needed for the creative industries, students will be encouraged to challenge existing practices whilst looking outward towards emerging trends.
This module focuses on the developing students' unique, creative voices. It provides opportunities to discover new ways of working and reinvent some tried and tested methods. Utilising our industry links, we have tailored this module to create mavericks, creative rebels, in short those who will stand apart from the crowd when looking for employment. This module aims to encourage students to take risks, embrace failure, and ultimately find fresh, novel approaches to problem-solving. As this module is largely focused on discovering the individuality of the students, teaching will be delivered in a range of ways to accommodate differences in learning styles, from large group discussions, to personal tutorials.
The module aims to develop a deep and fundamental understanding of advertising practice through the scrutiny of ‘strategy – concept – execution’ as an important creative process. Students can explore different practical techniques for idea generation, copywriting, and strategies to solve a wide range of advertising problems. The module is underpinned by teamwork. Psychology and communication theories inform the practical projects and explore a wide variety of current advertising media.
This module links to industry with a focus on employability. The advertising industry is examined and contextualised through studio-based activities. Central to this module is the opportunity for the student to elect a self-initiated work placement, or alternatively a live brief from either an agency or end client. Students may gain real life experience and the opportunity to engage with industry in a contextualised manner as they start to prepare for their career.
The "Interdisciplinary Collaboration" module offers an exciting and dynamic learning experience for students in graphic design, creative advertising, illustration, and product design. Each year, the module's projects are tailored to reflect the latest trends and needs in the design industry, ensuring that students gain relevant and cutting-edge skills. With a focus on user experience design, AI in design, influencing and content creation, virtual reality, and design for social change, students will work on projects that challenge their creativity and technical abilities. This module is ideal for those looking to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of design and make a meaningful impact through their work. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for students to shape their own degree, offering pathways for further elective specialisms in Level 3. Students will also have the chance to learn and utilise new industry tools and technologies, and work in new groups outside of their existing course, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration that reflects the current design industry.
The module explores in more depth the skills and experience of visual communication, copywriting, and creative advertising developed in the first year of the programme. Central to the module is the process of making informed decisions that result in visually appropriate creative solutions to advertising problems. Students can explore different methodologies, practical techniques for realising and executing creative ideas, and creative concepts and strategies.
The Industry Placement Year is an exciting opportunity for students to take a year out of formal study to gain real-world experience in the creative industries. Whether you’re looking to build industry connections, develop professional skills, or explore career options, this year will give you a full-time, hands-on experience within a creative organisation.
This year is a collaborative experience between you, your employer, and the University—ensuring that you get the most out of your time in a professional setting.
This module provides an opportunity for students in the Lincoln School of Design & Architecture to spend a semester in Year 2 studying at one of the University’s partner institutions. This opportunity has both academic and personal development dimensions.
In academic terms, during the semester abroad students undertake models that are equivalent to 60 credit module and content at one of the UoL partner institution in semester B.
Participation in study-abroad also offers unique opportunities for personal student development in the wider sense. Although students will be supported through the application process by the Module Co-ordinator and colleagues at the partner institution, much of the responsibility for organising the time abroad rests with the student. Study abroad offers the opportunity for students to develop graduate attributes, a global mindset and transferrable skills as exercise resilience, flexibity and open mindedness when adapting to and working effectively within a different academic culture and environment.
Students must submit an application to the School discuss why they wish to participate in a study period abroad.
This module is optional for undergraduate students within the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. Study Abroad enables you to study at one of the University’s approved partner institutions.
During the time spent abroad, you can share classes with local students and study modules at the partner institution which have been approved in advance by the University. As many partner institutions support internships, you may choose to combine study with work and/or a period of volunteering.
This module aims to develop the visual craft skills and experience associated with creative advertising. Through the exploration of the visual and copywriting craft of their ideas students can engage with respected national and international competitions as a means of understanding and gaining insight and knowledge of qualities appropriate to the industry. Presentation skills may be developed to create high standards of verbal presentation and visual communication of the work.
Contextual Studies 3 is an independent research study module which takes the form either of a dissertation and/or a number of other options. The module offers students an opportunity to explore in depth a topic of their own choice, chosen generally, but not exclusively in relation to the practice and/or context of their programme-specific studies and studio practice.
This studio-based module covers the exploration and production of engaging advertising campaigns that creatively exploit a wide range of different media and demonstrate the factors that impact upon effective communication such as insight and human truth. Innovation, initiative, teamwork, and creative independence are core components enabling students the chance to develop a higher level of autonomy. Students are expected to produce a final portfolio of highly effective and creative work that explores important themes and demonstrates an advanced understanding of strategy origination, concept creation, and effective execution.
At the core of this module is the production of a portfolio of work in preparation of entry to the advertising industry. This studio-based module enables the students to explore opportunities and requirements of the advertising and wider creative communication industries. An appreciation of professional practice standards and expectations may be developed through contact with current practitioners within advertising and related communication disciplines. Students can develop a high standard of visual and verbal presentation skills to demonstrate creative ability and comprehension of the discipline.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
Starting university, especially in a creative subject, can feel exciting and intimidating at the same time. Lincoln’s approach combines creative challenge with strong student support.
Academic support
Students can access:
Creative confidence and development
The course encourages experimentation and idea development in a supportive studio environment where students are encouraged to test ideas, take creative risks, and develop their own voice.
Careers and employability support
Lincoln provides support with:
Community and collaboration
You’ll work alongside students from related creative disciplines, helping you develop the teamwork and communication skills used throughout the creative industries.
After generating a great deal of positive interest from the industry through their now-famous 'black cab book crit' idea, graduates Shannon Cripps and Beth Wood now work for the in-house creative team at Channel 4 – picking up prestigious Cream and D&AD New Blood awards along the way.
Creative Advertising graduates can work across advertising, branding, marketing, media, content creation, and creative communications.
What can you do with a Creative Advertising degree?
Typical graduate roles include:
Graduates from Lincoln have gone on to work with agencies and organisations including:
The course is designed to help students graduate with:
These are the qualities employers often look for when recruiting junior creatives and agency talent.
Further study and progression
Graduates may also progress into:
This course could be a strong fit if you:
You do not need to know exactly which creative role you want yet. The course is designed to help you explore different areas of advertising while building transferable creative and communication skills.
Our degree show is an exciting opportunity for our Lincoln School of Design students to showcase their work both physically and digitally to the public and businesses.
The University of Lincoln has a comprehensive range of facilities designed to provide a supportive environment for creative practitioners. Students have regular access to workshops, labs, studios, and industry-standard equipment, as well as highly knowledgeable technicians. This environment can help students to develop their knowledge and skills, and complements our purpose-built design studios.

104 to 112 UCAS Tariff points.
This must be achieved from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications. For example:
A Level: CCC to BBC
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction Merit Merit
T Level: Merit Overall
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 104 to 112 UCAS points to be achieved from 45 Level 3 credits.
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
GCSE's: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English . Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
104 to 112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications.
If you are eligible for a contextual offer, a one grade or 8 UCAS Tariff point reduction to the standard entry requirements will be applied.
A Level: BBC
BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
T Level: Merit Overall
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 112 UCAS points to be achieved from 45 Level 3 credits.
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
GCSE's: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English . Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Additional requirements:
- Applicants will asked to produce a digital portfolio of work.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
Don't meet the full entry requirements?
The Arts Foundation Year at Lincoln is the first year of a four-year degree programme, offering students the chance to explore a range of creative subjects including Animation, Architecture, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, and Product Design before progressing onto a specialist degree.
University Study is a major investment, so it’s important to understand the costs and support available. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found below. Eligible students may be able to access scholarships and bursaries to help with study costs.
Standard workshop induction costs are covered by the University, as are some initial printing and material costs. However, depending on the media/materials chosen by the student, there may be additional costs incurred.
The Creative Advertising programme aims to run trips to London advertising agencies once during the second year of study and once or twice during the third year. These trips are optional and will not impact upon student grades. Travel costs for these trips are the responsibility of the student. These can vary, however students are all given ample notice.
The programme also aims to run a trip to New York advertising agencies once during the second year of study. This is optional and does not have an impact on any grades on the course. The cost of the New York trip is approximately £850 (based on recent figures).
The School aims to subsidise third-year showcase work. However, students can expect to collectively raise additional funds between themselves towards a 'private view' entertainments budget, should they choose to do so. A figure of £200 is approximate and depends on the size of the year group and the number attending.
Other additional costs can include notebooks, A3 layout pads (approx. £5-£10 each), and marker/fineliner pens (approx. £1-£3 each).
University Study is a major investment, so it’s important to understand the costs and support available. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found below. Eligible students may be able to access scholarships and bursaries to help with study costs.
Standard workshop induction costs are covered by the University, as are some initial printing and material costs. However, depending on the media/materials chosen by the student, there may be additional costs incurred.
The Creative Advertising programme aims to run trips to London advertising agencies once during the second year of study and once or twice during the third year. These trips are optional and will not impact upon student grades. Travel costs for these trips are the responsibility of the student. These can vary, however students are all given ample notice.
The programme also aims to run a trip to New York advertising agencies once during the second year of study. This is optional and does not have an impact on any grades on the course. The cost of the New York trip is approximately £850 (based on recent figures).
The School aims to subsidise third-year showcase work. However, students can expect to collectively raise additional funds between themselves towards a 'private view' entertainments budget, should they choose to do so. A figure of £200 is approximate and depends on the size of the year group and the number attending.
Other additional costs can include notebooks, A3 layout pads (approx. £5-£10 each), and marker/fineliner pens (approx. £1-£3 each).
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.