That global studio extends far beyond Cornwall. A student in Falmouth might be trading feedback with someone in Canada while another dials in from Lagos. For Jane Pugh, who teaches film and television, this community is the beating heart of online study. “Anyone can apply – whether you’re eight months pregnant, a full-time chef, or both,” she says. “If you’re a moving image storyteller, wherever you are, you’ve a home with us. The online courses have opened up a massive world of learning, collaboration and opportunity, and that’s something I really celebrate.”
The platform itself is central to how the courses work. It’s been built to do more than upload briefs or reading lists. Students share their work, give each other feedback, and collaborate across continents in ways that wouldn’t be possible in a traditional classroom. Jane recalls a particularly striking example: students in the UK, Canada, and Australia co-created a poetic documentary on 16mm film. Their first collaboration toured the festival circuit, and they’re already planning the next. “Robust teaching support, technology and a willingness to communicate is the magic formula,” Jane says. “And there’s the online student bar too – the WhatsApp groups we lecturers aren’t invited to, where they’re either talking about their latest TV binge or helping each other with technical challenges. It keeps the community alive.”
Ken Yiu, a tutor on the UX Design MA, explains how he brings his professional experience into the classroom. He translates industry practice into interactive, accessible formats, using tools like Miro to turn methods into collaborative activities. “The platform does more than deliver learning materials – it creates a space for peer learning and collaboration,” he says. “Students can share their work, exchange feedback, and explore multiple approaches to the same design challenge. That kind of engagement across cultures and time zones gives students a truly global perspective on problem-solving and creativity.”