- This course has closed.
Start Date | Duration | Cost | Max Participant Numbers |
---|---|---|---|
Dec 11th (Induction Only) / Classes January 8th | 1 year P/T | €950 | 15 |
Strategic Development For Creative Professionals | Level 9
This course is offered in collaboration with the Institute of Art, Design & Technology and the National College of Art & Design and is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. It is offered as a pilot programme for creative professionals at a special CCIS partnership rate of €950 (normally the fee for this course would be €2500).
Overview
The Strategic Development for Creative Professionals programme is a new part-time postgraduate course tailored for the creative industries. Developed collaboratively by Cultural and Creative Industries Skillnet, IADT and NCAD, this programme addresses a recognised need within the creative sector.
Aimed at creative professionals from various disciplines, including filmmakers, designers, photographers, actors, theatre and event professionals, game developers, animators, painters, sculptors, and more. The learning will be relevant to any creative professional seeking a deeper understanding of the business landscape within their sector.
The course is designed to help them formulate strategies for their practice, livelihood, or business. It supports those looking to expand an existing business, launch a new venture, or enhance their positioning within the creative marketplace.
Participants will gain advanced knowledge and critical skills essential for contemporary professionals and practitioners navigating the increasingly unstable and disrupted creative industry. This programme is ideal for those ready to transform their passion into a more commercially viable venture.
Aims & Objectives
This part-time postgraduate course is designed for creative professionals from all disciplines (filmmakers, designers, photographers, actors, theatre and event professionals, game developers, animators, painters, sculptors, and more) who want to develop a strategy for their practice or business, and to take the next step in transforming their passion into a more commercial venture. This may involve expanding an existing business, launching a new venture, or better positioning yourself within the creative marketplace.
The course will give you the opportunity to:
- Learn tools to analyse yourself as an entrepreneur or business in a creative professional context
- Network with likeminded creatives across a range of discipline areas
- Develop essential accounting and finance skills to effectively manage budgets, forecast expenses, and make informed financial decisions for a sustainable and successful creative business
- Examine emergent legal aspects relevant to creative professionals, enabling you to safeguard your work and manage your business operations more effectively
- Build a strategic, sustainable, and inclusive plan tailored to your context for future growth
- Evaluate strategic development methodologies for creative businesses, looking at investment and financing options to drive growth and enhance competitive advantage
- Critique the latest trends in digital transformation and its impact on the creative industry.
What will you study?
In contrast to general business courses, our course is designed for forward-thinking creative professionals offering a unique mix of four key modules, worth 5 ECTS each, tailored to help you thrive in the ever-evolving creative industries.
- The programme begins by exploring Entrepreneurship for Creative Professionals, developing the skills to lead your business with confidence, vision, and innovation.
- Next, you will learn how to gain essential business insights in Accounting and Finance for the Creative Industries, equipping you with the financial tools and understanding needed to manage resources effectively and support sustainable growth.
- The programme then reviews principles of Ethics, Law, and Sustainability for Creative Professionals, enabling you to navigate the complexities of the creative business landscape with awareness and accountability.
- Finally, you will learn to drive innovation and adapt to change with Business Design for Strategic Transformation, where you will develop strategies for future-proofing your creative enterprise.
Together, these modules will empower you to unify your passion, potential, and practice into a successful, sustainable future.
Participant opportunities
Each module will have specific industry experiences built in that will enhance and support the teaching.
Each participant will be paired with a business mentor to support them through their learning journey. Where possible/appropriate, the mentor will be from their individual creative sector.
Field trips and networking events will form part of the overall experience.
Planned Industry Engagements include:
- Module 1: Pitching & Brand Workshop Specialist
- Module 2: Briefing from Accountancy Firm
- Module 3: Creative Sector and Entertainment Law Specialist
- Module 4: Briefings from funding bodies and a final pitching opportunity with a panel of industry experts
On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
- Pitch a creative business concept to address market needs while staying true to a creative vision.
- Critique financial and other relevant information for effective business management and strategic growth.
- Command critical analysis tools in the creation of a contemporary professional environment.
- Synergise professional networks and new partnership opportunities in a professional creative context.
- Create or update business plans and formulate sustainable, purpose-driven career strategies.
How will you be assessed?
You will be assessed based on a final business plan/strategy for an existing or new business/venture and supported by your work across all the modules.
Participant profile/Who can apply
This postgraduate certificate is designed for both established and emerging creative professionals who have experienced success in their creative endeavours and who want to further develop and enrich their business potential.
This programme is designed for anyone who wants to develop a strategy for their practice, livelihood or business, and to take the next step in transforming their passion into a commercial venture. This may involve expanding an existing business, launching a new venture, or better positioning themselves within the creative marketplace.
Creative professionals, including successful artists, will gain the business acumen needed to fully realize the potential of their work. The programme equips participants with the confidence, connections, and knowledge necessary to enhance their creative skills and maximize their impact and success in the marketplace.
In contrast to general business programmes, this programme is tailored specifically to the creative sector, applying strategic thinking to empower creatives with valuable insights and agency within their industry networks.
The programme supports professionals from all areas of the creative industries, including filmmakers, designers, photographers, actors, theatre and event professionals, game developers, animators, painters, sculptors, and more. The learning will be relevant to any creative professional seeking a deeper understanding of the business landscape within their industry.
Minimum Entry Requirements
We welcome applications from people with an established or emergent creative career at least 3-5 years post-graduation.
This course is suitable for those who have an undergraduate qualification of 2nd Class Honours or higher at Honours Degree level.
Applicants without a Level 8 qualification may be considered provided they can demonstrate Honours Degree equivalence which can be verified through the RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) process.
You will be required to submit on the IADT application form the following:
- A letter of intent / personal statement
- A CV
- Details of one referee
- You may be called for interview.
IADT operates a rolling admissions policy for graduate taught courses, with decisions issued in 4 weeks after a submitted and complete application is received. An application is incomplete until you provide all required items on the checklist (including the application fee, if applicable). Generally, courses will remain open to applications until all places are filled.
Other Requirements
A desktop/laptop, camera, microphone and reliable wi-fi connection is required for online classes.
CCIS Membership Support
THIS PROGRAMME IS CO FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND AND THE EUROPEAN UNION (EUFUNDS.IE)

CULTURAL & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES SKILLNET APPLICANTS MUST BE RESIDENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TO QUALIFY FOR CCI SKILLNET MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT & NOT IN RECEIPT OF a) a bursary b) a scholarship or c) grant aid
All programmes are provided without discrimination. This includes discrimination based on gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. An inclusive environment that welcomes participants from diverse communities is promoted.
Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet is required to collect Special Category Data from those who wish to avail of supports for this programme. If you are successful in your course application to CFA/IADT, you will be asked to fill out a special category data questionnaire which will be present on the registration/payment page. Further data will be collected at the following milestones.
- the course completion date
- 6 months post certification
Location
This programme will take place primarily between IADT& NCAD as well as online.


IADT, located on Kill Ave, Dun Laoghaire, is a leader in higher education with a specialist focus on the development of future makers, shapers, technologists, thinkers, storytellers and creators who lead and innovate in a changing digital world.
NCAD is situated in Thomas Street, in the historic Liberties area of Dublin. In 1998 the College opened its new wing, the School of Design for Industry, and now houses all of its activities on the Thomas Street campus or nearby.
Costs/fee
This pilot programme is supported by the European Social Fund and as such the fee is a special CCIS/IADT partnership rate of €950 per person (normally €2,500).
Payment will be due in full before the course commences.
Application steps
- Fill out the Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet membership application form below.
- If your CCIS Membership application is successful, you will be notified and given access to the IADT Course application link.
Or
Fill out the IADT Course Application if you have not already done so via the CFA/IADT site and they will direct you to the CCIS membership Application if your course application is successful. - If your Course Application is successful and you accept an offer, you will be notified and given access to a CCIS Registration/Payment Link
- You will be asked to complete a Special Category Data questionnaire before proceeding to CCIS registration/Payment
CCIS membership application deadline
CCIS Membership Application Deadline: We will be accepting applications into January but the Christmas break may cause a delay in processing.
If you experience any difficulties with your CCIS membership application please contact susantalbot@furthr.ie with a Subject Heading of: IADT | CCIS Application | [Course Name]
Important: All Course Applications To Be Made Separately via IADT/CFA.
Dates & Times
Delivery is blended with online weekly lectures and intensive in-person sessions to allow you to continue your usual projects and activities whilst also developing your business strategy and future aims.
The programme will run Wednesday evenings primarily from 6.30pm-9pm
Module 1:
- Wednesday evenings | 6.30pm – 9pm: 11th December 2024; 8th, 15th, 22nd + 29th January 2025
- Weekend Workshop | 10am – 3pm: 11th January 2025
Module 2:
- Wednesday evenings | 6.30pm – 9pm: 5th, 12th, 19th + 26th February
- Weekend Workshops | 10am – 3pm: 8th + 22nd February
Module 3:
- Wednesday evenings | 6.30pm – 9pm: 5th, 12th + 26th March; 2nd April
- Weekend Workshops | 10am – 3pm: 8th March + 5th April
Module 4:
- Wednesday evenings | 6.30pm – 9pm: 30th April; 7th, 14th, 21st + 28th May; 4th June
- Weekend Workshop | 10am – 3pm: 17th May
Capstone Weekend:
28th June 2025 (TBC)