The best independent event venues in Manchester
Manchester doesn’t just have a music scene; it has a music identity. From the Madchester era to the Arctic Monkeys, from Joy Division to Oasis, this city has shaped the sound of British music for decades. And while the big arenas get the headlines, it’s the independent venues that keep the heartbeat of Manchester’s music […]
How to make the most of your summer break
Summer break is a time for relaxation, fun, and making memories with friends. But, if you’re a young person aged 16-18 and looking to take the next big step towards college or an apprenticeship, it’s also an opportunity to gain valuable experience, earn some money, and get a head start on your future career! […]
What skills do you need as a content creator?
Being a content creator might look easy from the outside. You film a few videos, post on TikTok or YouTube, and suddenly you’re building an audience online. But behind every successful creator is a huge range of skills that help turn ideas into engaging content. Whether you dream of becoming a YouTuber, streamer, podcaster, social […]
The best college courses for creative students
If you’ve got a passion for music, gaming, film, design, or technology – and you’re the kind of person who thrives on building something real more than sitting in all day, then a creative college course might be exactly what you’re looking for. The creative industries are booming, currently contributing over £145.8 billion to the […]
The most popular online games in 2026 (so far!)
We’re only a few months into 2026, and the gaming world is already delivering. Whether you’re clocking in hours after college, grinding ranked queues at the weekend, or just curious about what everyone’s talking about. From evergreen giants that refuse to leave the top charts to a couple of exciting new additions shaking things up, […]
What sound design in the gaming industry looks like
Sound design is one of the most overlooked roles in games, and one of the most essential. Most players never think about it consciously, but take it away, and everything falls apart. We were joined by two sound designers as part of our industry speaker series at Access Creative College: Josh Bell, a senior sound […]
How to become a freelance concept artist
Birgithe Runde is a concept artist based in the UK, a graduate of Norwich University of the Arts in Games Art and Design, and a freelancer who has worked across studios including Antidote Gamers and Hyperliminal. She joined us as part of our industry speaker series at Access Creative College to talk honestly about what […]
How Morrigan Pickford built an indie studio and won a StartUp Award
What does it take to build an award-winning indie studio at 25? If you ask Morrigan Pickford, the answer is stubbornness, a willingness to be a bit annoying, and the belief that if no one else is going to do it, you might as well. Morrigan is the founder of The Vampires Mana (TVM Studios), […]
Is The Gaming Industry Bigger Than Films and Music?
We’ve said it before, but we can’t stress it enough. The games industry is thriving, established globally as an entertainment force that is arguably unmatched. Game fans are passionate, with an entire industry taking in roles across development, writing, art, marketing, legal, finance and much, much more. The games industry is also growing relatively consistently… […]
Inside the mind of the co-director of Women in Games
Gemma Brown, Co-Director of Women in Games and Co-CEO of Dovetail Games, joined us to speak to our students about her mission, her career, and what the industry really looks like from the inside. Women in Games is an empowering organisation that supports women across the gaming industry, challenging gender bias and pushing back against […]
What a Games Designer actually does day to day
Michaela Harris spoke to our students during the industry speaker series at Access Creative College about the ins and outs of being a Games Designer. Michaela Harris started her journey into the Games industry just like many of our students, on a Games course at college. She then went on to study Games Design at […]
Influential Women in the Gaming & Esports Industries
This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women who’ve shaped gaming and esports into the thriving industries they are today. From pioneering programmers in the 1960s to today’s professional esports athletes and content creators, these women have broken barriers, pushed boundaries, and built the foundations of an industry that inspires millions. Whether you’re considering a […]