This week marks one year since the launch of the Professional Academy for Creative Enterprise (PACE) at the University of Leeds, School of Design.

PACE was established to build on the School’s long tradition of working closely with industry, while creating new opportunities for individuals and organisations to grow their skills and knowledge. Our vision has never been just about delivering courses; it’s about creating a space where learning, industry, and practice come together.

“It’s about taking the knowledge we have in academia and making it accessible and applicable to what professionals are doing in industry—and how they can use it to advance their own knowledge and their mission within their company.”

Professor Maria Lonsdale

Director of PACE

First-Year Highlights

Key Milestones

User Testing & Course Design

We conducted extensive user testing to gain a deeper understanding of how learners experience our courses. Using a three-phase user testing methodology, we gathered both quantitative and qualitative data, analysing the content and design of our courses. Additionally, we utilised eye-tracking technology to gain valuable insights into navigation, interactivity, and engagement. This feedback has already improved our course design and will continue to shape the future learning experience at PACE.

On-Campus Courses Launched

We launched our on-campus course offering, expanding the ways learners can connect with us. Covering subjects from textile testing and design thinking to colour science, these in-person courses create valuable opportunities for participants to immerse themselves in a hands-on learning environment. Held at the University of Leeds, learners benefit from direct access to our world-leading academics, state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities, and the chance to learn alongside peers from diverse professional backgrounds. This face-to-face format has strengthened our ability to foster collaboration and practical experimentation.

Online Micro-Courses Launched

We also launched our PACE micro-courses, responding to the growing demand for short, flexible learning that fits into busy lives. Each course is designed to deliver practical, actionable knowledge in just 1–2 hours, making them ideal for professionals seeking to upskill quickly, as well as for learners exploring new areas of interest. These micro-courses range across a variety of topics, with our Define and Discover series providing free introductory learning that allows participants to sample key concepts before deciding on further study. By offering these bite-sized learning opportunities, we’re making high-quality education more accessible and adaptable to individual needs and schedules.

CPD Accreditation

A significant milestone this year was achieving CPD accreditation across all our online professional and executive courses. This achievement signifies that our programmes meet rigorous standards for continuing professional development, offering confidence and recognition to learners and employers alike. For organisations, CPD accreditation means they can trust the quality, relevance, and impact of the training their staff undertake. For professionals, it ensures that the qualifications they earn are not only recognised but also enhance their career credibility. Above all, it reflects our commitment to maintaining standards that benchmark against those of leading global institutions, delivering an education that is both academically rigorous and practically valuable.

Advanced Courses Launched

We also celebrated the successful launch of our advanced cohort-based courses, designed to offer postgraduate-level depth while maintaining flexibility for working professionals. These programmes combine the structure of online cohorts with interactive elements such as live webinars, collaborative projects, assessments, and tailored academic feedback. For learners who wish to deepen their knowledge further, optional on-campus sessions provide the chance to engage directly with experts and peers. The result is a challenging yet accessible route to advanced expertise, critical thinking, and leadership skills, equipping learners with tools to excel in their fields without the full-time commitment of a master’s degree. These advanced courses represent the next step in our mission to support lifelong learning and professional growth.

Looking Ahead

While we are proud of the progress made in our first year, we know that this is only the beginning. There is much more to learn, and much more to do, as we continue to strengthen our role as a trusted partner for learners and organisations.

As we enter our second year, PACE is focused on broadening opportunities and building on our foundations. Our upcoming plans include:

• PACE Open Days – Virtual events in November and February for prospective learners to explore our Advanced Courses and discover how they support career growth alongside professional commitments.

• Website Enhancements – Updates to improve navigation and access to courses.

• Course Improvements – Ongoing updates informed by user testing and learner feedback.

• New Courses – A pipeline of fresh courses across all formats launching throughout the year.

• Expanding our international reach – increasing our global collaboration and reaching learners across different continents.

We know the year ahead will bring both fresh challenges and opportunities. Our focus will remain on delivering education that is accessible, meaningful, and grounded in both academic research and industry practice. At its heart, PACE is about people, learners striving to grow, organisations seeking to innovate, and a community of academics and industry partners working together.

Whether you are an individual looking to build new skills or a business exploring ways to grow and adapt, we invite you to join us in the year ahead.

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