A huge thank you to all our jobseekers and employers for being part of Creative Opportunities. Whether you’re just stepping out of the classroom or already carving your path in the industry, we’re here to help you turn what you love into what you do — and to make that journey as exciting and supportive as possible.
In 2024/25, even with the ups and downs of the economy, the creative world didn’t slow down — and neither did you. This year, we shared an incredible 1,578 paid roles, showing just how much opportunity is out there for our community. On top of that, we posted 53 competitions and 105 volunteering roles, giving you loads of ways to build experience, grow your confidence and get your work noticed.
Jobs
This year, we saw a small but welcome rise in job postings, with 1,345 roles available exclusively to UAL students and graduates. Of these, 42% were freelance — a sign that employers are being a bit cautious and leaning towards flexible ways of hiring. We also noticed more roles aimed at middleweight or intermediate-level creatives than entry-level ones, showing that many employers are looking for people with some experience under their belt.
Creative industries made up 57% of all the jobs we shared, with PR & Marketing, Visual Arts, and Fashion Design leading the way. But it wasn’t all creative roles — we also posted plenty of opportunities in areas like Education & Teacher Training, Sales/Retail, and Hospitality. These can be ideal options if you’re looking for part-time work to support yourself while navigating London’s living costs.
Internships
We saw the biggest drop in paid roles in this area. The number fell from 335 last year to 233 this year, showing that employers have pulled back on entry-level opportunities and are focusing more on hiring people with experience.
Employers
And if you’re an employer reading this — thank you. We genuinely appreciate every opportunity you’ve shared with our students and graduates. Your support helps them take their first steps, build confidence and turn their creative ambitions into real careers.
This year, 19% of employers using our service were repeat advertisers, and 25% of those who posted roles in 2024/25 went on to hire UAL students and graduates through our platform. We love seeing those connections turn into real jobs, real experience and real success stories.
Jobseekers
The “Apply Now” button was clicked an incredible 58,678 times this year! Most of these clicks were for jobs (67.7%) and internships (24.5%), but competitions and volunteering roles also grabbed attention, each making up 3.5% of clicks.
Alumni made up 39% of those clicks, proving that our jobs board isn’t just for final-year students or recent grads — it’s a go-to hub for creatives at every stage of their journey.
Website views
This year, our views rose 26% to 1.69M, showing strong online engagement.
Conclusion
This year reflects a cautious job market, with more freelance roles on offer and fewer internships available. Creative industries are still leading the way, though they face their own challenges. On the bright side, our platform continues to shine in terms of digital visibility and employer retention. Looking ahead, expanding our focus on placements from different colleges and making Creative Opportunities even better will be key to helping students and graduates thrive in the years to come!
Whether you’re seeking jobs, paid internships, competitions, or volunteering roles, this is your space. Are you studying art, design, communications, or a performance course, or have recently graduated? Well, look no further – Creative Opportunities is tailor-made for you! Our goal is to help you achieve your ambitions and make a living doing what you love.
If you are a creative industries employer or have a creative role to offer, you are welcome to sign up and use our jobs board. Have questions or eager to explore more? Reach out to us at jobsonline@arts.ac.uk. Your creative journey begins here, and the possibilities are limitless.