Destiny McGowan graduated from Nottingham Trent University in July 2026 with a degree in content creation. The program teaches students how to create videos and posts for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, as well as how to build audiences, engage with brands, and monetize content. McGowan states that the course provided her with valuable skills and industry contacts, which she believes would take years to acquire otherwise.
Nottingham Trent University launched its content creation degree in 2022, emphasizing hands-on experience. Other UK universities, including the University of Brighton, offer similar programs, while Arizona State University in the US also provides a qualification aimed at connecting creativity with audiences. The cost for these degrees is significant, with Nottingham Trent and Brighton charging £9,790 per year for UK students, and Arizona State's tuition for residents at $14,724 (£11,000).
Knightenator, a UK-based content creator, expressed skepticism about the value of such degrees, stating that companies may not prioritize a content creation degree and that there is ample free advice available online. She believes that motivation and finding a niche are more important than formal education.
Conversely, Aiesha Beasley, a content creator from Phoenix, Arizona, supports the idea of content creation degrees, suggesting that they could provide a clearer pathway to monetization and recognize the importance of digital presence in marketing.
Jacky Gurr, course leader at Nottingham Trent, notes that most students are not aspiring influencers but are learning professional skills needed in various roles, including business ownership and agency work. Gurr emphasizes that while skills can be taught, success in the influencer space often involves elements beyond education, such as luck and personality.