Discover
Futureworks
Overview
Welcome to Futureworks

Futureworks has grown and developed since we began teaching 17 years ago, and is a successful specialist provider of higher education programmes for the creative industries.

We’ve secured a reputation throughout the creative industries in Manchester and the UK for the high quality and standards achieved by our degree programmes.

What our students think…

95%

For Academic Support

90%

For Assessment and Feedback

92%

For IT Resources and Facilities

92%

for Expression of Ideas, Opinions and Beliefs

Encouraging collaboration of skills and perspectives
Fostering a creative community

At Futureworks, we pride ourselves on promoting a vibrant and interconnected creative community through our three main schools: the School of Art & Design, the School of Sound & Music Production, and the School of Film, Television & Media.

Similar to how global creative communities overlap and collaborate to create films, games, and music, our students are encouraged to do the same. By working together across all three of our schools, Futureworks students learn important people and communication skills, which are vital when they graduate into a career in the creative industries.

Providing a high quality vocational education
Ever-evolving to industry

Futureworks has maintained its specialist creative mentality and proven itself adaptable and agile, rapidly responding to a swiftly evolving and changing industry. By continuing to work with tutors who are practising industry professionals, investing wisely in new technology, and nurturing a proactive industry advisory group, Futureworks has flourished into a thriving creative community and a respected provider of higher education in the UK and beyond.

Supporting you to achieve your full potential
Providing the best student experience

Our Academic Quality & Standards Team are here to make sure you get the most out of your studies by ensuring that our courses are reviewed, monitored and enhanced on an annual basis, and that we are working to guidelines set by the relevant external bodies and our partner university. Our quality assurance processes enable us to safeguard the academic standards of the courses we offer and provide you with the best possible student experience whilst you are studying with us.

Our history

  • 2003
    Our Principal, Chris Mayo, conceived the idea of Futureworks during his tenure as a Sound Engineer and Pro-Tools Instructor back in 2003
  • 2007
    Futureworks launched, led by Chris Mayo, Ben Norris and Rob Magoolagan, with the intention of providing high-quality, industry-led vocational courses that provided students with the skills and knowledge needed for a career in the creative industries
  • 2008
    Partnership with AVID
  • 2011
    Futureworks’ first graduation ceremony
  • 2012
    Move to Riverside Campus
  • 2017
    First provider to receive commendations in all categories by the QAA
  • 2020
    Runner up at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards
  • 2021
    Partnership with Unreal
  • 2023
    Winner of IHE provider of the year
Teaching & Methodology

Throughout your time at Futureworks you will be guided by highly qualified and experienced tutors. Their skills and contribution are vital in providing you with a high quality vocational education.

Combined with our excellent links with industry employers, you’ll also attend engaging guest lectures and receive exciting opportunities to work on a variety of real-world projects.

Futureworks Guest Lecturers

We are very proud of our strong and current links with the creative industries and believe that this is what sets us apart when it comes to providing you with a more vocationally grounded higher education that prepares you for a rewarding creative career.

Hear from our staff…

“The exceptional quality of our tutors and our strong industry connections ensure that the degrees offered in our School of Art & Design are highly pertinent to their respective fields. Our teaching approach and commitment to enabling students to reach their full potential, creates an environment where students feel they have opportunities to express themselves in a stimulating, supportive, and engaging atmosphere.”

Ken Lau
Head of Art & Design

“Within the school we have an incredible track record of converting enthusiastic students into highly skilled and employable graduates. Using our three tailor-made degree programmes and strong industry connections as a launch pad, our students grow throughout their time with us and enter into a diverse range of interesting and rewarding careers. Our tutor team have been there and done it at all levels in the industry and make excellent mentors and role models, supporting and guiding you through the early stages of your career.”

Rob Magoolagan
School of Sound & Music Production

“I’m always amazed at how the three programmes in the School of Film, Television & Media have developed into a highly successful collaborative venture. Even though the students are from differing areas in the film industry their ability to work together on projects within and outside of their programme empowers our students to develop their creativity and technical skills to become highly sought-after professionals. Combine this with the motivated and dedicated tutors, who still work in the media industry, this makes for an exciting, inspiring, and appealing offer for anyone interested in the art and techniques of Filmmaking.”

Richard Hellawell
School of Film, Television & Media

Your future at the heart of everything we do

Where can Futureworks take me?

The success of Futureworks is proven through the continued success of our graduates – creative professionals enjoying rewarding careers across the creative sector.

Click below to read our interviews with Graduates and Alumni.

Interview
Graduate Interview: Catherine Theocari

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Interview
Graduate Interview with Em Marshall
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