BA Arts, Technology and Entertainment with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism

Arts, Technology and Entertainment with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism

Overview

The BA Arts, Technology and Entertainment with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism is an interdisciplinary programme driven by industry ecosystems and emerging societal needs. It aims to unlock students’ creative potential, cultivate their ability to apply cutting-edge technologies, and foster an entrepreneurial spirit, ultimately contributing to broader social innovation and development.

This programme is based at XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) and follows a unique syntegrative education model that seamlessly blends artistic creation, technological innovation, and commercial thinking.

Students benefit from an international award-winning faculty, state-of-the-art teaching facilities, and strategic partnerships with leading industry players. The curriculum is designed around emerging creative technologies and their societal impact, offering a vibrant learning environment. Areas of study include audiovisual content creation, game design, immersive art, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, music technology, and creative project management. Students will develop core competencies in producing creative content, designing unique interactive experiences, and managing projects and teams.

Through in-depth collaborations with world-renowned institutions such as Ars Electronica (Austria), the Modern Art Museum Shanghai, and the Suzhou Bay Digital Art Museum, students engage directly with real-world cultural and creative projects. These experiences sharpen their production capabilities, technical workflows, creative perspectives, and business acumen.

Located in the Taicang High-Tech Development Zone, the programme offers students privileged access to China’s rapidly growing creative technology industry.

The program specialisations include: dynamic and immersive arts, game design and development, audiovisual content creation and creative planning and management. Students work with industry-standard facilities throughout their studies and showcase their outcomes on professionally aligned platforms. Graduates emerge as hybrid talents with both artistic creativity and technological fluency, poised to lead as audiovisual creators, creative technology specialists, or cultural entrepreneurs in China’s booming and globally connected art-tech landscape.

 

Why Study BA Arts, Technology and Entertainment with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism at XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang)?

In the BA Arts, Technology and Entertainment with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism programme, you will:

  • engage in a truly interdisciplinary programme that blends art, technology, cultural studies, and entrepreneurship;
  • gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, including VR/AR, AI, immersive sound, and video game engines;
  • develop both critical thinking and practical skills through a balance of theory and project-based learning;
  • access state-of-the-art facilities, including VR labs, digital art studios, immersive sound studios, and maker spaces;
  • create a portfolio of innovative projects, culminating in public exhibitions of your work;
  • learn creative computation using industry-standard software and tools;
  • gain international perspectives through our global network of partners and collaborators;
  • enjoy creative freedom while developing a strong foundation in academic theory and entrepreneurial practice;
  • the Professional Development Programme equips students with industry-linked projects for global impact;
  • study in XJTLU’s new, purpose-built Taicang base, strategically located in a thriving High-Tech Development Zone; and
  • graduate with world-class qualifications, including two degrees: an XJTLU degree from China’s Ministry of Education and a globally recognised degree from the University of Liverpool, a member of the Russell Group of leading UK universities.

Knowledge and Skills

By the time you graduate from the BA Arts, Technology and Entertainment with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism programme, you will have:

  • the ability to plan, design, develop, produce, and manage content and content strategy across various digital media platforms, preparing you for roles in creative agencies, tech companies, cultural institutions, and innovative startups;
  • proficiency in software for computational art, using industry-standard tools to create cutting-edge digital experiences and interactive projects;
  • knowledge and skills in digital application development, artistic innovation, immersive technologies, interaction design, and critical analysis of new media art;
  • a well-developed understanding of both China’s and the global entertainment industry, with insights into emerging trends and technologies shaping the creative sector;
  • the ability to combine theory, practice, and critical thinking to find innovative solutions at the intersection of art, technology, and business;
  • comprehensive knowledge of entrepreneurship, leadership, project management, and innovation concepts, with practical experience applying these skills to real-world creative projects;
  • experience in presenting and exhibiting work publicly, and engagement with the broader arts and tech community; and
  • high-level communication, interpersonal, problem-solving and analytical skills that are transferable across a range of careers in the creative industries, tech sector, and cultural institutions.

The BA Arts, Technology, and Entertainment with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism programme focuses on cultivating students' abilities in digital and creative content creation within multimedia and transmedia contexts, inspiring creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship to build a better society. Industry-oriented, the program adopts an interdisciplinary approach with award-winning faculty, advanced facilities, and strong partnerships in related industries. Situated on the state-of-the-art Taicang campus, students have access to high-end equipment and creative spaces that support experimentation with emerging digital technologies, preparing them for careers in the cultural and creative industries. This supportive environment fosters artistic, technical, and professional growth, inviting students to embark on a transformative journey that blends creativity and entrepreneurship to shape a brighter future together.

Zhonghao Chen

Programme Director

Modules

*Programme modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. XJTLU students are advised to log in to the e-Bridge Portal to view the effectuated module structure.


Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University offers a wide range of courses in the first year, including English for academic purposes (EAP), mathematics and physics, and humanities and social sciences. Click to learn more.

The aspect of the Art and Technology field that I find most interesting is how technology is used as a tool for artistic creation, such as in digital art, virtual reality art, and AI creation. These greatly expand the expressive boundaries and possibilities of art.

Zihan Ning

Year 4 Student

Project-based learning allows me to freely dive into the development of artworks.

He Li

Year 4 Student

Thanks to our degree, I was able to study many different directions in art, which helped me broaden my horizons and discover new personality traits in myself. I was able to meet wonderful people, my classmates, who share my interests and tell me a lot of new things. That's so awesome. Teachers communicate with students equally, they are always ready to provide real help.

Pilyugina Elena Alexeevna

Graduate

The myriad of modules available in ATE allow us to not only develop our hard skills but also explore new technologies and alternative mediums we would otherwise gloss over. The course expands the tools and connections at our disposal. It ultimately serves to make our art more technically complex, conceptually engaging, and, personally, all around more fun.

Sybert Zara De Los Santos

Graduate

Careers

Graduates from this programme will be well-prepared for roles such as creative producer, art director, and interactive designer, reaching senior positions in top national and international organisations. Our alumni have found employment in diverse prominent companies such as MiHoYo, an international force in video gaming. Most graduates continue their academic paths, receiving offers from prestigious institutions like the University of the Arts London, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and the Royal College of Art in the UK. Notably, most of our students receive offers from universities ranked in the QS Top 100 World University Rankings and QS Top 100 by Subject. You will graduate with specialised knowledge and a wide range of skills, making you a highly valued professional in your future workplace.

Careers
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