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Accessibility statement
Three people taking part in a podcast in a recording studio.
Creative industries shape how we see, hear and understand the world, from film and television to photography, podcasts and digital content. This introductory module explores how creative work is produced, communicated and experienced, while helping you develop confidence as both a critical thinker and creative practitioner. You'll examine issues including diversity, sustainability, representation, and artificial intelligence, and put ideas into practice through image-making, storytelling and audio production. Along the way, you'll build academic, digital and transferable skills, giving you a strong foundation for further study and helping you explore where your interest in the creative industries could take you next.
You’ll explore a variety of creative practices while developing the academic, digital and professional skills needed for future study and employment. You’ll connect critical theory with creative practice by questioning assumptions, reflecting on your experiences, and engaging with diverse perspectives.
Through activities such as digital image creation, podcast production and visual analysis, you'll develop confidence as both a creative producer and critical thinker. You'll build skills in research, communication and analysis while working collaboratively with others and exploring ethical, sustainable and inclusive approaches to media and creative practice.
The module is organised around three key dimensions of cultural analysis: production, texts, and audiences:
Block 1: Production
You’ll explore how digital content, including films and television programmes, is created, and how the creative industries have developed over time. Along the way, you’ll consider the roles of governments, media organisations, streaming platforms and digital creators, and hear creative workers talk about their jobs. Questions of diversity, sustainability, accessibility and inclusion will form part of your exploration. Examples from film, television, photography, graphic design and online media will help you understand how social, economic and technological changes affect media production. Finally, you’ll put these ideas into practice by creating a digital image for a media campaign.
Block 2: Texts
By examining film, media and other cultural products, you’ll discover how they create meaning and communicate ideas. Storytelling techniques and visual language will help you understand how creative texts reflect the cultural, social and historical contexts in which they’re produced. You’ll also consider representation and its influence on audiences, while exploring themes including authorship, place and cultural value. A detailed study of a feature film will help develop your skills in close audio-visual analysis.
Block 3: Audiences
Turning to audiences, you’ll explore the part they play in interpreting media and creating meaning. The block traces how ideas about audiences have developed, from theories of media effects to active audiences, and considers how digital platforms are changing these relationships. Data, algorithms and AI provide a further focus, raising questions about privacy, surveillance and platform power. The block culminates in a podcast production project in which you’ll learn how creative choices can help you connect with different target audiences.
On completing this module, you'll be able to:
Film, media and digital content are central to how organisations communicate, entertain and engage audiences. You’ll explore how the creative industries are evolving, from emerging technologies and streaming platforms to sustainability and representation. Understanding these developments will help you make informed choices about further study, professional development and career opportunities in a fast-changing sector.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You'll have access to a module website, which includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
P100 is a compulsory module in our:
Exploring the creative industries starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2038.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no entry requirements for this module. This is an OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning to help you progress to OU level 2 study.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying P100 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
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Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
This module will next start in the 2027/28 academic year and will open for registration in March 2027.
This module will next start in the 2027/28 academic year and will open for registration in March 2027.
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