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?

⭐ Perhaps you want to affect positive social change through your creativity?

⭐ Maybe you just 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 Jan – March 2026) you’ll get support to develop a creative idea or side hustle in a way that is meaningful to you. Try things out, connect with other students from across UAL, and get one-to-one tailored feedback from our incredible industry mentors! You’ll actively learn about Intellectual Property too, with a range of community-focused activities, our end-of-project photoshoot and digital campaign to showcase your ideas and growth.

This year, our 2026 industry mentors are:

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

🎤 Industry mentor 2 (to be confirmed shortly)

🎤 Roxanne Peters (Intellectual Property & Creative Rights Specialist)

👍 Identify where you’re at with your idea, how you want to develop it during the project and get support to make this happen!

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

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

👍 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 2026’ photoshoot and receive a professional headshot!

Keep scrolling below to see the schedule, session dates/ times and deadline to apply!

Take a look at Class of 2025 Yearbook to find out more about the programme!

Take a look at ‘Class of 2024’ Yearbook to learn about who was involved and their ideas!

“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 Creative Shift 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, personal brand or anything else that you want to create, sell or develop!

➡️ Please apply by registering on Eventbrite.

➡️ Deadline to apply: Thurs 4 December 2025 (Midnight)

➡️ If you're thinking of applying but would appreciate a quick online chat before applying, please email the project lead Lora to request this: [email protected]

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

➡️ We’ll confirm if you have a place: 8-11 December 2025

Please note we reserve the right to extend the deadline for applications. If we do so, we will notify those who have applied with the new date for knowing if you're successful or not.

➡️ We will tap back in with all successful applicants in early January 2026 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.

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 am Disabled 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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If you have any questions please contact

➡️ There will be x3 in-person group sessions and in between these sessions you'll have online one-to-one's with industry.

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

➡️ 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.

➡️ Our industry mentors have a multidude of experiences and knowledge in different areas, and we welcome ideas from different creative disciplines.

➡️ 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 28 January

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

🕟 6 – 8PM

🍽 Free refreshments provided

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

🗓 Tues 3 Feb & Wed 4 Feb

📍 Online

🕟 5 – 8pm (You book your own 20 min slot on which day/ time suits you)

#2 Making, Creating, Sharing: Troubleshooting Session

🗓 Weds 17 February

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

🕟 6 – 8PM

🍽 Free refreshments provided

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

🗓 Tues 4 March & Weds 5 March

📍 Online

🕟 5 – 8.30pm (You book your own 20 min slot on which day/ time suits you)

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

🗓 Weds 12 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 19 March

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

🕟 Time TBC (all day drop in)

🍽 Free refreshments provided

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. 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

Q. I have more than one idea, and I’m not sure which one to go with, do I have to choose? No need to choose, you can apply more than once for this year’s programme, with a different idea for each entry. If you are successful, we will let you know which idea we think would best suit the programme.

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.  

Industry mentor 2 info coming soon...

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