Creative & Interest

Do you have grand designs for your garden?  Are you passionate about pets? Fascinated by people and what makes them tick?  Perhaps you’ve always dreamt about writing a book or becoming a fashion designer?  Whatever your aspirations you’ll find courses to satisfy a diverse range of interests in our Creative & Enjoyment Faculty. 

Select a course

  • Photography
    Photography is one of the most popular hobbies of all-time. We can't take you to those beautiful places, but we can help you bring them back with you.
  • Creative Writing
    Are you fuelled with imagination with a flair for storytelling? Pick up writing tips and techniques from the experts.
  • Study Skills
    Whether you've been out of education for a while or need certain qualifications for future study, these courses will mean you're certain to get top grades.
  • Fashion & Design
    Have you a keen-eye for the latest trend? From fashion design to floristry, bring your creative ideas to life.
  • Animal Care
    Are you a true animal lover? From obedience to grooming, learn how to train and care for your pet.
  • Gardening
    Want to know how to grow your own fruit and vegetables, create a decking area to relax in, or design a stunning water feature? We’ll let your ideas blossom.
City & Guilds - Skills for a brighter future

Creative & Interest Courses with ICS

Our popular range of Creative and Enjoyment courses provides the chance to deepen your knowledge and understanding of an existing interest, or try your hand at something new. All of the courses enable you to earn an ICS “Skills Builder” Diploma, so you’ll have a real sense of achievement as well as new skills and knowledge to take your interest to the next level.

We recognise that education is not all about career development, which is why we offer courses to cater for a wide range of interests, hobbies and enthusiasms.

  • Do you have grand designs for your garden?  Our Garden Planning course will develop your skills and knowledge to put your plans into action straight away.
  • Passionate about pets?  Our rewarding Pet Obedience and Professional Pet Groomer courses will equip you with specialist skills to satisfy your love for animals – from how to care better for your cat to pampering your pooch.
  • Are you fuelled with imagination with a flair for storytelling?  Always dreamt of writing that first book but never got round to it?  Take our course in Writing Books for Children with expert guidance inspiring you with confidence to succeed.
  • Fascinated by people and what makes them tick?  Our “Mind, Body & Soul” Psychology course will give you a deeper insight into this absorbing subject.
  • Have you a keen-eye for the newest trend?  Whether you’re honing an interest or planning on starting your own business, our Fashion and Floristry courses will inspire you to reach your full creative potential.

Whatever your interest we aim to have something that will capture your imagination.  We’re constantly developing our programmes so we’ll have more courses in the pipeline!

Supporting you all the way

With ICS you’ll receive the same high levels of care and support as those taking accredited qualifications or professional courses. Our skilled and experienced tutors will help you every step of the way, plus you’ll have contact with our student services team, who will help with any practical or administrative issues.

Like the rest of the ICS offer, these Creative and Enjoyment courses are taught by distance learning, so you can fit them around your lifestyle and study when it suits you. Sometimes you may need access to certain equipment, but in many instances we’ll supply you with all you need covered in the cost of your course upon enrolment.  Check the course descriptions in the following pages for more details.

Our students find that these courses enrich their lives and provide a great deal of enjoyment and interest – some even end up with a lucrative sideline.  We hope you’ll find something to inspire you to learn too!

ICS Distance Learning News

London turning into ethical fashion capital

01 Mar 2010

Ethical fashion is emerging as London''s speciality, according to an industry insider.

Skills drive could benefit creative and interest courses

12 Feb 2010

A scheme aimed at promoting skills development could boost creative and interest courses.

Gardening courses could solve Britain''s skills problem

29 Jan 2010

Alan Titchmarsh has said that British people need to learn gardening skills again.

Creative interest course graduates "satisfied" in their work positions

21 Jan 2010

Three quarters of the creative interest course students to have found jobs are happy in their positions.