UK Business Information / Creative Industries
The creative industries in the UK are primarily based in in London. Art, fashion, theatre, advertising and film all have thriving industries, bolstered and diversified by the influx of foreign students arriving in the UK each year.
LONDON
The capital of the creative industries in every sense, London acts as a magnet for talented creative individuals and companies around the UK. Almost all of the top universities and governing bodies for each creative sector are based in London.
Over 500,000 people are employed in the creative industries in London, a vastly higher number than any other region of the UK. London and the South East account for 54% of all people involved in the creative industries. One in five new jobs created in London are in the creative industries.
Art
London's arts and cultural sector is worth close to $50 billion. The array of art galleries in London are a huge draw for tourists from around the world. The Tate Modern is among the world's most popular modern art museums, generating $49 million per annum for London as a whole.
London also has world-renowned training courses for those wanting to study art:
- Chelsea College of Art and Design
Fashion
Along with Paris, Milan and New York, London is rated as one of the top four fashion capitals in the world. London Fashion Week generates an estimated $200 million per annum for London as a whole.
London fashion colleges attract students from all over the world, in particular, Asia:
- Central College of St Martin's
Theatre
The West End is the world's only theatrical equal to Broadway in New York. The Edinburgh International Festival, held in August each year, combines theatre with film and literature, and is the largest arts festival in the world.
The UK has some of the most respected theatrical training academies in the world, including:
- RADA
- Central School of Speech and Drama
Film
The UK film market is valued at $6.6 billion. Favourable regulation, including tax breaks, and a history of making quality film has contributed to the success of this sector.
London have internationally renowned film studios, including:
London also boasts some top-class filmmaking courses:
For more information, visit the UK Film Council website.
Media
The UK provides one of the most liberal media environments in the world. The 2003 Communications Bill scrapped rules barring non-EU companies owning UK TV and radio companies, allowing for an open and competitive marketplace.
An estimated 150,000 people are employed in the publishing industry, 60,000 of who work in London. 10 of the 11 National newspapers are printed in London.
Some of the biggest media brands in the world have a base in London, including NTL, BSkyB, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, CNN and Disney.
Below are some of the top universities in London for Journalism training:
London College of Communications
Advertising
The UK advertising industry, centred on London, is the fourth largest in the world. The top advertising agencies in London include:
- Mother
The UK body that oversees all advertising matters in the UK is the Advertising Standards Authority.
FURTHER RESOURCES
For further information about the creative industries in the UK as a whole, visit:
