Apply now! Creative Shift x The KUSP: Take your ideas to the next level

This 6-week programme is co-created with industry specialists and designed specifically for students & graduates who are underrepresented in Higher Education and in the Creative Industries. We take into consideration your lived experiences, what you might be going through, and use the power of community to facilitate a journey that leaves you feeling empowered!

⭐ Want to test out an idea you’ve been thinking about?

⭐ Need help figuring out how to turn it into a business or a profitable side hustle?

⭐ Maybe you need a push to keep the momentum going or know what steps to take next?

If so, this is the project for you!

Over 6 weeks (running from Feb – April 2025) you’ll get support to develop a creative idea or side hustle in a way that is meaningful to you. Get the chance to try things out, connect with other students from across UAL, and have one-to-one tailored feedback from our incredible industry mentors! You’ll actively learn about the value of Intellectual Property to help make your idea a reality, with a range of community-focused activities, our end-of-project photoshoot, digital campaign and yearbook to showcase your ideas and growth.

This year, our 2025 industry mentors are:

, (founder of The Kusp and has worked with Apple Beats, Puma, ITV Studios and more)

(Creative Technologist, Digital Consultancy Founder of Made Good Club)

🎤 Roxanne Peters (Intellectual Property & Creative Rights Specialist)

🎤 Mercurius Saad (CEO of Tutorbloc and mission-driven founder, trustee & investor).

👍 Identify where you’re at with your idea, where you want to get to by the end of the project and get support to make this happen!

👍 Get support to break down actions into manageable steps, and be held accountable (in a non-judgemental and encouraging space!

👍 Learn tips to help you juggle life, work and other commitments with opportunities to put this into practice.

👍 Actively think about how your motivations, values and perspectives can empower you to make your ideas a reality when creating, sharing and making a positive impact in society.

👍 Get one-to-one feedback and guidance on your ideas from industry specialists

👍 Build confidence in being able to problem solve whatever comes your way!

👍 Join a supportive community and connect with peers from across the UAL colleges who want to develop their enterprise know-how too

👍 Be involved in the end-of-project ‘Class of 2025’ photoshoot and digital campaign to share your ideas and growth with the world in our yearbook!

Take a look at the ‘Class of 2024’ Yearbook to see who was involved!

Take a look at the ‘Class of 2023’ Yearbook to see who was involved!

“I really appreciated how accommodating the team were, I had a lot of personal stuff/ work commitments going on for the duration of the programme and still found the sessions I was able to attend really insightful and non judgmental. Thank you to all!” (Student particpant)

To help us to provide you with a great experience, we’d like you to ‘apply to take part’ by answering a few short questions about what stage you’re at with your ideas.

✅15 x Students/ Graduates that are committed to the programme and have a willingness to share, learn and try.

✅ Students/ Graduates who meet the criteria stated below in the “Who can Apply?” section (Please note we can and do track this.)

✅ Must have a potential idea/s* that you're ready to take to the next level!

*Your ideas could be a product, service, experience or anything else that you want to create, sell or develop!

➡️ Please apply by registering on Eventbrite.

➡️ Please note that by registering, it does not mean you will automatically get a place on the programme.

➡️ The in-person sessions will be at London College of Communication (LCC) in Elephant & Castle, but are open to all UAL students/graduates that meet the eligibility criteria and gain a place on the programme.

Deadline to apply: Thurs 28 November 2024 (Midnight)

➡️ We’ll confirm if you have a place: 3 – 10 December 2024

➡️ We will tap back in with all successful applicants in January 2025 to double check you can still take part.

➡️ If you are unsuccessful, we’ll put you on the waitlist and you may still be offered a place at a later date.

➡️ If you are unsuccessful, we’ll put you on the waitlist and you may still be offered a place at a later date.Please note, the application is 2 short questions about your idea, and some info about who you are!

If you require help with applying or would like the application in an alternative format please email Lora at [email protected] or call/ text 07872816806.

If you have any further questions about the programme, please contact [email protected]

Creative Shift acknowledges the barriers that exist for students from underrepresented backgrounds in Higher Education and in the creative industries, and therefore prioritises thesw students for our programmes.

In line with UAL's Access and Participation Plan, you must meet both of these requirements:

1) I am currently a Home (UK) student studying on an undergraduate degree course at UAL or graduated within the last 5 years.

AND

2) One or more of the following statements apply to you:

• I am Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E.)* student
• I took part in the UAL Insights programme
• I am a Care Leaver (I have been in the Care system)
• I have a disability according to the Equality Act 2010
• My parent(s)/ guardian(s) have not completed a University Degree
• I have caring responsibilities (i.e I am a parent, or am the primary care giver for a child/children, disabled person/s or elderly family member for example)
• I recieve the UAL bursary as part of my student finance

*We note that this language is contested and different terminology is used in different contexts and places. However as the Higher Education sector, HESA and Census data uses the terminology B.A.M.E. we will continue to use this language at UAL. Please note that we will be considering our language and terminology on an ongoing basis. We will continue to reflect on sector language and best practice.

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Positionality (privilege/power): if you’re in a dominant identity please consider how you are making space for others in the space /if you are in a marginalised identity consider practicing taking up space with us.

Statement credit: Healing Justice Ldn (HJL), Community Agreements

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If you have any questions please contact

There will be x3 in-person group sessions and in between these online one-to-one's slots. You’ll be expected to carry out some independent work on your ideas too, and we’ll work closely with you to ensure this is a manageable amount.

To make the most of the programme, we ask that you are available to attend the majority of the sessions. If you know in advance that you can’t make all the dates, but still want to apply, please feel free to email Lora [email protected] to discuss.

Bursaries are available to enable your particpation and remove barriers to taking part. A bursary is a payment of money that you don’t need to pay back and could help you with any financial costs of taking part, for example, childcare, equipment, materials or travel.

More information will be provided about this once you have gained a place on the programme. We also provide food and drinks at all in person sessions too!

#1 Intro session: Meet, Learn, Share!

🗓 Weds 5 February

📍 @ London College of Communication, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6SB

🕟 6 – 8PM

🍽 Free refreshments provided

One-to-one support slots with Industry (Round 1)

🗓 Tues 11 feb & Wed 12 feb

📍 Online

🕟 5 – 8pm (Each get a 20 min slot)

#2 Making, Creating, Sharing: Troubleshooting Session

🗓 Weds 5 March

📍 @ London College of Communication, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6SB

🕟 6 – 8PM

🍽 Free refreshments provided

One-to-one support slots with Industry (Round 2)

🗓 Tues 11 March & weds 12 March

📍 Online

🕟 5 – 8pm (Each get a 20 min slot)

#3 Community Session (Reflection, Growth and next steps)

🗓 Weds 26 March

📍 @ London College of Communication, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6SB

🕟 6 – 8PM

🍽 Free refreshments provided

#4 Creative Shift X The Kusp “Class of 2025” Photo shoot

🗓 Weds 9 April

📍 @ London College of Communication, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6SB

🕟 Time TBC (all day drop in)

🍽 Free refreshments provided

#5 Creative Shift X The Kusp “Class of 2025” Ceremony

You’ll get presented with your printed yearbooks and invite friends, family and industry to see what you’ve been up to!

🗓 Thurs 22 May

📍 @ TBC

🕟 Time TBC

🍽 Free refreshments provided

Q. I am working on a collaborative idea with a friend at UAL (or UAL graduate), can we both take part? Yes, as long as one of you meets all the eligibility criteria – the person that meets the criteria will need to make the application. Please submit one application only, but select 2 tickets when registering if you’ll both be attending. For more than two people working on the same idea, please nominate one person to be representative and attend the sessions.

Q. Does the above apply if I’m collaborating with someone not at UAL? Unfortunately, we can only fund places on the programme for UAL students and graduates, but you can represent the both of you on the programme, and they can attend Class of 2025 Ceremony.

Q. I don’t have a fully formed idea yet, should I still apply? Yes! We want a mix of ideas that are at different stages of development, whether you have been side-hustling for ages or only have half-baked plans – all are welcome!

Q. Who can I contact about my access requirements? If you believe there are any barriers to your participation in this event, or you have any access requirements you wish to discuss, we are happy to talk to you. Please contact us in advance by emailing Lora at [email protected] and putting ‘The Kusp’ as the subject line.

Any other questions please do get in touch with us at [email protected]

 Amos Eretusi is the founder and managing director of the UK-based social enterprise, The Kusp; they improve access for under-represented talent (from ethnic minority, lower socio-economic backgrounds, creatives with disability) within the creative media industries - film, television, fashion and print media - through talent development and talent sourcing. Collaborating, partnering and working with companies, academic institutions and industry specialists from companies like Puma, ITV Studios, Film & TV Charity, Somesuch, Sky Studios, British GQ and many more. They host intimate masterclasses, deliver mentorship programmes and have an exclusive membership (The Kusp Club) that shares tools, resources, advice and job opportunities with creative members. 

Roxanne Peters is a Creative and Cultural IP Rights Specialist, based at UAL, working internationally at the intersection of Intellectual Property (IP), ethics, creative education and enterprise. She connects with creatives, encouraging self-led approaches to value IP as creative agency, as part of their business strategy and as a tool to activate positive change. She specialises in copyright law and related rights in digital culture.  

Mercurius Saad is a mission-driven founder, trustee & investor. As the CEO of Tutorbloc — which helps educators launch a website, accept bookings, share files, get paid, host virtual lessons, track progress & more — he's focused on establishing their platform as the primary destination for experts to monetise their knowledge. Since receiving backing from Innovate UK & Atomico, they’ve expanded to support hundreds of educators who teach everything from Biology to Public Speaking and UX/UI Design. 
 

Before venturing into the startup arena, Mercurius made waves in advertising; working with iconic brands like Apple, Samsung, COS, Ledger & TuneCore. Throughout his career, he managed over £50m in media spend across PPC, paid social & programmatic. 

Em is a British-Venezuelan writer, creative technologist, and founder. Em's career has been anything but linear since graduating from the University of Bristol with a degree in Politics! A massive advocate of a squiggly career, Community has been a core theme throughout their career, from founding a community for female tech career changers when she transitioned into tech as a software engineer, to current work. Motivated by a desire to empower others and work in industries she's passionate about, Em left her tech role to start her own business. In 2024, she founded Made Good Club, a digital consultancy supporting impact-led businesses with branding through copywriting, strategy and workshops. As a later-in-life creative, Em is driven by the power of storytelling to create meaningful connections and build lasting, value-driven brands. By combining their love of tech and creativity, Em strives to inspire cultural shifts throughout her work.

Host or Publisher Creative Shift