Edinburgh Napier University unveils unique new postgraduate courses in creative subjects

They include the UK’s first online creative documentary filmmaking course and a fresh flexible approach to upskilling those in the creative industries.

The chance to study module by module, reflects the growing need for studies that can adapt to students, say the course leaders.

Read on for a closer look at what’s new for January 2026 at ENU in the creative arts:

Support for the creative sector in Scotland

The new MA in Creative Studies is aimed at anybody who wants to develop their career in the creative industries. It is billed as a full-time course, but you can select an individual module to suit you and build the exact programme you need.

The modules are all CPD focused and by combining enough credits from your modules you could earn a PGCert, a PG Diploma, or a master’s without the pressure of committing to learning full-time.

The programme is led by Bryden Stillie, Associate Dean for Learning & Teaching.

"Essentially, the course has come into being because we recognise that people want to learn flexibly," he says. "The idea is that someone can study a single module to upskill in a particular area, like motion graphics. They can come from industry and do that one module, or they can do a collection of modules and leave with different qualification types."

All the learning on this course is in-person, "taking advantage of the amazing facilities and staff that we've got on campus".

You can study subjects ranging from writing genre fiction or sports journalism to moving image design and music research – with more modules likely to be added as the course grows.

And it's a unique approach that's ideal for anyone looking to further their career or boost their skillset.

“People want the flexibility, they want the opportunity to choose the bits and pieces that are going to enhance their experience in work, or they're maybe going to enhance their skillset to look for employment. At Napier, we offer the opportunity to experience new research and learning that they’ve not been able to access through their employer potentially.

"It's a brilliant opportunity. We've built in so much flexibility to enable people to access learning the way that they want to. It actually draws on most of the programmes that we have currently running within the school in some shape or form."

This is postgraduate study, so applicants will need to have some grounding in the area they want to study. To gain access to some modules you may have to share a portfolio of work to demonstrate your existing knowledge.

"Some people will want to upskill in different areas but fundamentally, they're going to have to have some baseline there to be able to start on some of these programmes.

"For others, it can help them find a different or maybe a more creative career path and open up their options a little bit more."

And Bryden is keen to point out ENU’s commitment to enabling and supporting learners to access and succeed in their studies, which helped earn it the top spot in the capital for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey five years in a row from 2020-2024. "I care genuinely about it and, as the programme leader, you've got to be looking for the best opportunities for people. It's always really good to find ways that we can flex a bit to make this happen."

To see the full range of options and learn more, visit the new MA in Creative Studies webpage now.

Unique online way to learn to make creative documentaries

For students around the country and internationally, the new MA in Creative Documentary Filmmaking, is a fantastic opportunity to learn from home – although Sana Bilgrami, who’s leading the programme will also organise three optional visits to international film festivals to create opportunities to network with filmmakers and professionals, watch the latest documentary films, and experience the documentary film industry in person.

"It's a year-long programme if you're studying full-time or there's a part-time option over two years,” she explains. The course is taught entirely online, with the option of meeting your cohort and tutors in person at the optional film festivals in spring, summer and autumn.

"As far as I'm aware, there is no other online master's programme that focuses on documentary filmmaking,” says Sana.

Students will develop a documentary film between 15 and 25 minutes long, and will do film exercises to build up a portfolio of short films alongside their main project, "which will be their calling card to the industry, something they can show at festivals".

“It's a very industry-focused programme: I'm a documentary filmmaker - I teach part-time and I also make films myself - and the course is taught by professional filmmakers,” she adds.

To enhance the online nature of the course, Sana is keen to build community at different levels: firstly within the student cohort; then locally by locating and creating a sustainable local professional network of support; and finally, internationally at a global industry level.

"Meeting in person is entirely optional, but it's an option that we'd encourage students to explore. The documentary filmmaking community is a wonderful community of people. They're all very supportive so it would be really lovely for students to meet other filmmakers at festivals, and also have the opportunity to meet commissioning editors, producers and other people in the industry."

You don’t need to have the latest expensive high-tech equipment to consider applying: this is very much a programme for everyone.

"The emphasis is on ideas and skills development but also developing that local support. So if you don't have any equipment and you need a good microphone and a good sound recordist, then that's what you need to go out and look for. It’s about enabling you to work with the resources that you have, and to find the resources you need to accomplish what you want to achieve."

Experience is helpful but not essential: "We are encouraging applications from anyone who has any experience with documentary filmmaking but really, we're looking for a wide diversity of students who are interested in developing their documentary filmmaking skills from different disciplines."

Think this is for you? Visit the MA in Creative Documentary Filmmaking webpage now.

Light up your future career path

2026 is the perfect time to join our community of learners in the postgraduate degrees in design. From January to March, we take advantage of the darkness by exploring light art and projection. Our modules benefit with input from professionals working in the field and courses are staffed by active practitioners and researchers within the areas they teach.

Study in an interdisciplinary studio with peers from MA Heritage and Exhibition Design, MA Design for Interactive Experience, MA Motion Graphics and MA Lighting Design.

MA Heritage and Exhibition Design, MA Design for Interactive Experience both have an option to start part time in January, and the timetable is organised in a way that taught classes are on one day a week.

“Our studios are a collaborative environment where we learn and explore together,” says Dr Tom Flint. “Teaching guides you through the theory and research skills that inform your work and help you communicate your ideas. To complement this we build creative, practice-based outputs and our workshops give you the opportunity to build to a high standard.”

To have a look around our campus and its facilities or to find out more, please contact Dr Flint at [email protected].