LIST: Specialized University Courses in Metro Manila for Future Creatives

(SPOT.ph) The creative economy has been steadily rising in the Philippines, growing from P1.43 trillion in 2021 to P1.6 trillion in 2022, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. 

This surge in interest in the creative economy has encouraged the educational sector to cater to and serve future creatives better. De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, MINT College, and iAcademy are usually the go-to universities for arts, music, and the like, but more higher institutions are branching out to offer specialized courses of their own.

Now, it's not a requirement to go through these specialized courses to make a successful career, but it sure helps to have that formal edge when coming into your preferred industry. Let’s take a look at our list of specialized courses offered in Metro Manila.

Also read: These Manila Creatives Are Making the Case for Work-Life-Chill Balance

List of undergraduate programs for aspiring creatives in Metro Manila

Art Management - Ateneo de Manila University

Art Management exposes students to curatorship, exhibition design, art writing, research and documentation, and the marketing of the arts. The program provides its students with opportunities for involvement and immersion in the professional art, cultural, and creative industries through its linkage with the Ateneo Art Gallery and other institutions.

Graduates are qualified to work in museums and art institutions as curators, exhibition designers, and education or promotion officers. They could also become art critics and historians, culture and heritage advocates, and editors of art, culture, and lifestyle publications as well as publicists and managers of artists or performers.

Literature - Ateneo de Manila University

Literature is designed for students who seek a profound and scholarly appreciation of literature written in the English Language. They will be introduced over the course of the program to literature from across the globe in order to develop competence in the analysis of literary texts, writing of critical essays, and evaluation of different literary traditions and orientations.

Painting - University of the Philippines-Diliman

Painting involves an active dialogue between students and faculty to provide the context for the investigation of the structure of the visual language through analysis and evaluation.

In this program, students are encouraged to freely explore the possibilities of painting in terms of conceptualization, techniques, and methodology. Opportunities are given to exhibit on-campus and in select venues to expose the works to larger audiences, as training and preparation for the students’ future exhibitions as practicing artists.

Interior Design - SoFA Design Institute

From conceptual development and critical thinking, Interior Design approaches the full spectrum of issues leading to successful interior design solutions. This program will be delivered through the SoFA C.R.E.A.T.E. (Collaborative Remote Experience through Art and Transformative Education) Program and through on-campus lectures.

Graduates of this course can become licensed interior designers after taking the Interior Design licensure examination. They can work at an established firm or create an own interior design practice for residential, commercial, corporate, hospitality, and institutional projects.

Fashion Design and Marketing - SoFA Design Institute

Fashion Design and Marketing offers a holistic introduction to the fashion industry. Students of the program become familiar with the creative, technical, and business facets of fashion, as well as become trained to evolve a personal point of view in a portfolio whose contents can leverage entry to their competitive field. SoFA’s annual gala fashion show is attended by influential members of the design community.

The program will serve as the backbone and foundation for a career in fashion. Graduates can opt to establish an own fashion business or pursue opportunities in retail, brand management, merchandising, media, or journalism.

Music Theater  - University of Santo Tomas

Music Theater trains a student to become a performer for musicals of the Broadway genre, Filipino Sarswela, and the like. Students are given training on basic classical, Broadway and jazz style techniques. Dance is an integral part of the program, as well as acting and directing stage musicals.

Graduates of this course can become an ensemble performer, music entrepreneur, solo performer, as well as a music treater actor, director, and producer.

Dance - De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

Dance gears students for the 21st century world of dance. The program integrates theory and practice, shaping future mentors who possess a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of anatomy, kinesiology, and somatic practices to maximize performance and minimize potential injuries.

The program is a combination of contemporary and cross–cultural Philippine dance works rooted in tradition. Within this context, they also learn valuable administrative responsibilities required in various theatre productions and other arts-based enterprises.

Photography - De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

Benildean photographers have the ability to astonish an audience with new perspectives, angles, and interpretations. Photography teaches student to have an intuitive mastery of light, a deep grounding in technique, and a genuine connection with the subject.

Graduates can pursue a career as an advertising photographer, editorial photographer, fashion photographer, photo editor, photography instructor, and photojournalist.

Animation – iAcademy

Animation is an 11-term program exploring the technical production needs of the industry where students are trained to be skilled in both 2D and 3D animation. Graduates of iAcademy’s program prepares students to become animators, directors, and content creators who can be globally competitive in the animation industry.

Film and Visual Effects – iAcademy

Film and Visual Effects is a 12-term program that provides a solid foundation on the technical, and professional aspects of filmmaking. The program integrates key concepts in the art and craft of film with trainings in practical special effects and computer-generated imagery, to expand student capabilities by giving them the necessary skill-sets to enter and compete in the media industry.

In this program, students will learn the traditional filmmaking process from pre-production, production, and post-production while learning technical skills applicable in developing a career in the video and film industry.

Broadcast Media - Mapúa University

Broadcast Media allows students to learn and experience the theoretical and actual radio and television production for news programs, public affairs, and creative shows.

They will also be trained in the transmission of news, information, and concepts with a focus on digital technology for broadcasting productions, news gathering, reporting, and delivery methods in new multimedia platforms.

Entertainment and Multimedia Computing - College of Arts and Technology

Entertainment and Multimedia Computing is one of the newest recognized programs by the Commission on Higher Education. This program comprises of design and development of apps by mixing the latest IT tools, animation and game tactics, diverse programming trends, and audio-visual aspects.

In addition, this program offers a specialization in Gamified System Development or Gamification. This focuses on teaching students how to use gameplay tactics and game design methods in non-gaming contexts and improve user engagement.

Studio Arts - Far Eastern University

Studio Arts provides a holistic education that will ground students in the fundamentals of aesthetic knowledge, tools, and techniques in translating concepts into artworks and visual art products.

In particular, the program involves the study of the different studio arts: painting, sculpture, printmaking, computer art, art reproduction, and installation art through courses in visual perception, techniques, materials, anatomy and figure drawing, art theory, art history, visual studies, digital art, art workshops, photography, art restoration, creative research, and art management.

Music Composition - Centro Escolar University

This program is about the creation and production of recordings of music and how to complete recording projects that are typical of those found in contemporary professional recording and production environments. The mastery of the discipline will be shown through the completion of recording and production projects of professional quality. Graduates of this program can become composers, music producers, and music engineers.

Library and Information Science - Centro Escolar University

Library and Information Science provides students the skill and knowledge in the management of library operations, systematic organization, conservation, preservation and restoration of books, historical and cultural documents, and other intellectual properties.

The program includes topics on the basic principles and fundamental laws of library science as well as the appropriate use of information resources. It also teaches essential skills in the integration of information technology and management information system for effective organization, use, and delivery of learning resources.

Also read: Manila Ranks as One of the Worst Cities for Creative Professionals