Career

Entrepreneurship Incubator

Launching a creative business often proves challenging, which is why the university runs its own incubator offering funding up to £5,000. This three-month program targets those who haven’t yet started trading but are ready to test their concepts without financial pressure. Participants receive workspace with Wi-Fi and printing, regular coaching from the Innovation Studio team, and monthly “Innovation Exchange” sessions where they connect with fellow entrepreneurs. The program also provides access to affordable prototyping with technical support, culminating in presentations to potential investors and partners.

Arts University Bournemouth Technology Base

The Innovation Studio functions as a creative industries laboratory, equipped with cutting-edge digital and physical production technologies. Its arsenal includes VR equipment and projection mapping cameras alongside CNC machines, three- and five-axis mills, laser cutters, and waterjet systems. Prototyping capabilities extend to 3D printing with nylon, carbon fiber, and Kevlar, while a FARO Focus Premium laser scanner enables precise three-dimensional modeling. The digital textile studio houses printers for synthetic and natural fabrics, a digital loom, and body scanner. Meanwhile, an extensive materials library stocks plastics, woods, metals, and ceramics samples with testing equipment access.

Learning from Practicing Experts

Arts University Bournemouth builds its programs through industry collaboration, with each course having a dedicated Industry Patron who shapes curricula alongside faculty. Students tackle live briefs, complete internships, and attend guest lectures, establishing connections with potential employers before graduation. The university also runs specialized technology workshops—from Fusion 360 for industrial design and Gravity Sketch for VR modeling to Twinmotion for architectural visualization—that can be tailored to specific business needs.

Program for Entrepreneurs and Coworking

The Innovation Studio membership suits individual entrepreneurs, micro-businesses, and startups seeking project development within a creative community. Three-, six-, or twelve-month memberships start at £175 monthly, providing a complete workspace with monitor and ergonomic chair, technology and materials access, technical staff expertise, and studio team mentorship. Residents can book meeting rooms, use parking and showers, manage mail through a package system, and join knowledge-sharing workshops. The university partners with Venturefest South, Women in Tech Dorset, and NHS Dorset Innovation Hub, regularly hosting industry networking events.