The creative industries sector is one of the largest contributors to the UK economy, and the Art and Design Department at Loreto College is dedicated to informing and inspiring young learners to consider pursuing creative careers after their A levels.
According to the 2024 QS World University Rankings, the UK is home to the most prestigious higher education institutions for art and design, with the Royal College of Art ranked first and the University of the Arts ranked second.
Throughout the winter season, we created numerous opportunities for our art and design students to connect with arts universities and employers. Last November, our Lower Sixth students attended the Create Your Future Showcase at Manchester Central, where they met with representatives from hundreds of universities and creative industry employers to gather information about their next steps. The same week, our art and design team organised an in-house arts progression event featuring speakers from the University of Leeds, the University of Huddersfield, and the University of Central Lancashire. Following this, the University of Central Lancashire invited a group of our graphics and photography students to tour their design facilities, and the University of Huddersfield provided 50 spaces for our students to explore their creative arts facilities in March.
This month, the Manchester School of Art (MMU) welcomed 30 of our students to visit their Art & Design Foundation studios and workshops to learn more about their popular pre-degree diploma (pictured). Our arts progression season has also included visits from representatives of the University of Salford, the University of Falmouth, and the Northern School of Art during lunchtime.
Over the past decade, the creative economy has grown more than 1.5 times the rate of the wider economy. At the Creative Industries Growth Summit in Gateshead, the UK Government announced a £60 million package of support to drive growth, with a considerable sum earmarked for creative businesses outside of London.
The Loreto Art and Design Department is committed to fully informing and supporting our students as they become part of this exciting future, and we look forward to seeing where their paths lead.