Welcome to the School of Creative Industries at Canadian University Dubai, where creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship converge in the heart of one of the world's most dynamic, future-focused cities and fastest-growing creative economies. Located in Dubai's vibrant City Walk, our School offers an avant-garde educational experience designed to prepare tomorrow's creative leaders.
Our School continues to expand its portfolio with exciting new programs in development that respond to emerging trends in design, media, digital creativity, and the creative economy. Our interdisciplinary, hands-on approach emphasizes applied learning, design thinking, and real-world problem solving through industry collaborations, live projects, and entrepreneurial initiatives. Students are encouraged to transform ideas into impactful ventures through our innovation ecosystem and incubator opportunities.
Guided by internationally experienced faculty and grounded in Canadian academic excellence and the cultural values of the UAE, our graduates develop the creative confidence, global perspective, and practical skills to shape industries, enrich communities, and define the future of the creative economy. We look forward to welcoming you to a community where imagination becomes innovation.
Undergraduate Programs
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Bachelor of Arts in Creative Industries
The Bachelor of Arts in Creative Industries (BACI) is the first business and creative leadership program of its kind in the United Arab Emirates. The BACI program is a four-year degree established in collaboration with the Toronto Metropolitan University, The Creative School, which has been central to the evolution of Canada’s cultural industries for over 70 years.
FAQs
The School of Creative Industries at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) prepares students for careers across the creative economy through interdisciplinary learning, industry collaboration, and hands-on experience. It sits where business meets the creative economy. Based at CUD's downtown campus in City Walk, the School develops creative thinkers, innovators, and leaders who are prepared for leadership, entrepreneurial, and management roles across the creative sector, from media and design to entertainment, arts, music, and culture.
The program is offered by Canadian University Dubai, which is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. All degree programs at the University are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).
The Bachelor of Arts in Creative Industries is adapted from the pioneering Creative Industries program at Toronto Metropolitan University, the first program of its kind in North America, and aligns with Canadian higher education standards.
The program combines creative development with business, management, and entrepreneurial knowledge. Students study the creative process, different aspects of media business, communication and digital design alongside entrepreneurship, financial management, human resource management, intellectual property, licensing and distribution, research, e-business, and the management of creative enterprises.
Through practical assignments, corporate visits, and industry engagement opportunities, students apply their learning in real-world contexts. This combination equips graduates to develop creative ideas while understanding how creative work can be protected, financed, managed, marketed, and distributed. It prepares students for professional, managerial, and entrepreneurial opportunities across the creative industries.
The program also aligns with the UAE’s vision for the creative economy and prepares students for opportunities within the country’s cultural and creative sectors.
Graduates are prepared for opportunities across the creative economy, including media and content production, advertising and marketing, brand and creative strategy, design, entertainment and live events, arts and cultural management, digital business, and the management of creative enterprises.
By combining creative practice with business and entrepreneurial knowledge, graduates can pursue careers within established organizations, work independently as content creators or creative professionals, or develop and manage their own creative ventures.
Yes. The program includes a three-credit internship in a creative enterprise environment, which students can undertake after completing 90 credit hours with a CGPA of at least 2.0. This pre-professional experience allows students to apply the knowledge developed throughout the program and strengthen their career readiness. Industry collaborations, live projects, guest speakers, and other engagement opportunities further support applied, hands-on learning.
Applicants must meet Canadian University Dubai's undergraduate admission requirements.
In addition, students applying for the Bachelor of Arts in Creative Industries are required to provide a valid English language proficiency certificate with one of the following minimum scores:
- IELTS Academic: Band 5.5
- TOEFL iBT: 71 for tests taken before January 21, 2026, or 3.5 for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026
- TOEFL ITP: 530
- Or another standardized English language test that is internationally recognized and approved by the UAE Ministry of Education and Scientific Research.
For full admission requirements and the most up-to-date information, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions page.
Yes. Canadian University Dubai offers a range of scholarships and tuition benefits for eligible undergraduate students. These include scholarships for academic excellence, financial hardship, sporting achievement, special talents, special needs, and selected partnership agreements, subject to the University's eligibility criteria.
Scholarships are available to students of all nationalities who meet the admission requirements. Eligibility, award values, application deadlines, and terms vary depending on the scholarship or tuition benefit.
For full details, including eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and how to apply, please visit the Scholarships and Tuition Benefits page.
Applications can be submitted online through the Canadian University Dubai website. Applicants complete a simple three-step online application, including applicant information, education information and documentation, and application payment. If you require assistance during the application process, the Admissions team can guide you through each step.
Students develop a combination of creative, strategic, managerial, and entrepreneurial skills. These include project management, innovation, leadership, business development, creative strategy, digital communication, design thinking, storytelling, and problem-solving. Together, these skills equip graduates to navigate the rapidly evolving creative economy with confidence.
Students who have completed courses at another accredited institution may be eligible for transfer credits, subject to CUD's transfer credit policies and academic review. The Admissions team can provide guidance on eligibility and the transfer credit process.
The Bachelor of Arts in Creative Industries (BACI) was developed in collaboration with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and is adapted from TMU’s Creative Industries program. Students who wish to continue their studies in Canada may apply to TMU through its regular admission process. Admission and credit recognition are determined solely by TMU.
No. Applicants are not required to submit a portfolio, complete an audition, or attend an entrance interview as part of the admission process. Our program is built around the business, strategy, and communication of the creative economy. If you meet Canadian University Dubai’s academic and English language requirements, you can apply.
During the program, students have the opportunity to build and develop their portfolios through project-based learning, collaboration with industry professionals, and internship experience.
The School regularly connects students with industry professionals through guest lectures, workshops, conferences, industry panels, and collaborative projects. These opportunities enable students to engage with professionals across media, design, marketing, culture, entertainment, and technology, while gaining practical insight into Dubai’s growing creative economy.
A typical semester in the Creative Industries program combines academic learning with hands-on creative practice. Students engage in a dynamic mix of lectures, studio-based assignments, live industry briefs, and collaborative workshops. Throughout the semester, they work on real creative challenges, participate in guest lectures from Dubai’s media, design, and cultural sectors, and take part in practical sessions that build skills in content creation, branding, storytelling, digital production, and creative strategy. This blend ensures students experience the full workflow of the creative industries, from ideation and research to production, presentation, and reflection.
Assessment is continuous, practical, and industry-aligned. Students are evaluated through:
- Creative projects and portfolio development
- Individual and group presentations
- Written reflections and research assignments
- Studio-based practical tasks
- Live industry project submissions
- Collaborative group work
- Occasional quizzes or exams in theory-focused courses
The emphasis is on creativity, communication, critical thinking, and the ability to execute ideas using professional tools and methods.
Students in the Creative Industries program benefit from access to professional-grade creative environments, including:
- Media production studios
- Photography and video equipment
- Editing suites and digital labs
- Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and InDesign
- Audio recording and editing tools
- Augmented reality, virtual reality, and interactive media technologies
- Collaborative creative workspaces for ideation, prototyping, and group production
These resources ensure students develop practical skills aligned with contemporary creative industry standards.