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Overview

Explore your passion and launch your career with our Creative, Cultural, and Business Industries courses. Whether your interest lies in Business, Accounting, Beauty Therapy, Hospitality, Design, or the Performing Arts, our hands-on courses are led by industry professionals.

Gain real-world experience through employer partnerships, industry placements, and our on-site facilities open to the public. Beauty Therapy and Hairdressing students work with paying clients in our Style Academy Salons, while Catering and Hospitality students train in our fully operational restaurant, Eden. Creative Arts students use industry-standard studios and equipment to build portfolios, work on live briefs, and showcase their talent in exhibitions and performances.

From practical skills to entrepreneurial thinking, our courses prepare you for University Level study or employment. Whatever your ambition, The College provides a supportive, inspiring environment where your creativity and talent can thrive.

Who We Work With

Boston College maintains strong employer partnerships by offering a range of opportunities such as real world briefs, work experience placements, Apprenticeships, and business networking events. These initiatives create valuable connections between students and employers, helping students gain hands-on experience and develop industry-specific skills essential for success in the future workforce.

Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre

Blackfriars Arts Centre and Boston College have built a vibrant partnership rooted in creative collaboration and real-world experience. Through exhibitions, pantomime design, photography, backstage tours, and hospitality, students gain hands-on insight while helping bring community arts to life.

Cross-use of facilities has opened new possibilities: Blackfriars’ auditorium and tech spaces offer rich learning environments, while College venues support events such as the upcoming international theatre festival. A jointly produced video now features on the Blackfriars website, showcasing the power of storytelling and digital media.

Photography students delivered outstanding work for a foyer exhibition viewed by over 10,000 visitors, and Blackfriars praise the professionalism and imagination students bring to every brief. Plans are underway to expand placements in catering, business, and operations, further strengthening Boston’s creative ecosystem.

Blackfriars

Meet the Team

Neil Percy

Director of Learning: Creative, Cultural and Business Industries

Headshot of Adam Brackenbury

Adam Brackenbury

Senior Learning Lead: Accounting and Business

Adam has been part of the Business and Accounting Departments at Boston College for over ten years. 

Scarlet Summerfield

Senior Learning Lead: Art and Design

Jo Whitwell

Senior Learning Lead: Beauty Therapy and Hairdressing

Adrian Walker-Slade

Senior Learning Lead: Catering and Hospitality, and Visitor Economy

Mark Lyon

Senior Learning Lead: Graphic, Digital Design and Animation, Media, Film Production and VFX, and Photography (Commercial)

James Bastow

Senior Learning Lead: Music and Performing Arts