ba creative and professional writing

BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing

This course is open for applications

Page last updated 18 March 2024

Introduction

Study fiction, non-fiction, script and corporate copywriting, and shape your degree in line with your creative ambitions.

Why study creative and professional writing?

Studying creative and professional writing equips you with the expertise and experience to make a living as a professional writer.

It has been estimated that one in 11 jobs in the UK is in the creative industries - a sector that's outpacing the rest of the UK economy in its growth rate. The UK publishing industry in particular is experiencing record success, while platforms like Netflix and podcasts are capturing new audiences and creating new opportunities for writers.

Why UWE Bristol?

BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing develops your creative abilities and forms your identity as a writer. It also prepares you for the world of work by helping you acquire highly transferable skills and giving you access to a wealth of learning opportunities.

To succeed as a writer, you need many strings to your bow. That's why we offer tuition in corporate copywriting across all three years, alongside fiction, non-fiction and scriptwriting. You'll hone a broad range of writing skills, and be equipped to take on paid writing work in different areas when you graduate.

You'll also become adept at conducting research, and work on live briefs from Bristol-based employers that recruit skilled writers.

What's more, you can gain professional experience writing for UWE Bristol student media, including  Hub Radio ,  Hub Voice student magazine  and  Cellar Door  magazine.

Showcase your work to talent scouts and potential employers at the final year Degree Show .

Thanks to our connections, you have the chance to work with publishers and agents, as well as the Bristol Cultural Development Partnership, Watershed, Poetry Can, Spike Island, the Arnolfini and Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives.

We also enjoy links with commercial partners including Babcock International, Stratton Craig, John Wainwright & Company Ltd, The Writing Hut Ltd and Anthem Publishing.

Where can it take me?

Situated at the heart of Bristol's thriving creative sector, this course prepares you for a job in writing, the arts, publishing, creative media, marketing, advertising and communications.

You could become a novelist or screenwriter, work as a freelance copywriter or journalist, or go into an area such as corporate communications and PR.

Your writing skills will be sought after in other fields too, with good communication being important in just about every business.

" UWE Bristol has clearly one of the most forward-thinking creative writing courses in the country, with an eye on employability [and] also on the demands that are made of the 21st century writer if they are to thrive in the commercial climate. "  Matt Thorne, External Examiner

You'll register onto BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing. As you progress through the course you'll have the opportunity to specialise in a specific subject.

Depending on your module choices, you could graduate with one of the following awards:

BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing (Copywriting)

Ba(hons) creative and professional writing (scriptwriting).

• BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing (Publishing).

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

You'll study:

• Creative Practice and Writing Mechanics
• Fundamentals of Writing: Fiction
• Fundamentals of Writing: Non-fiction and Copy
• Fundamentals of Writing: Script.
• Reading for Writing: Developing a Novel
• Writing for Screen
• Writing for Stage.

Plus, four modules from:

• Poetry and Public Engagement (compulsory if you choose to stay on the BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing pathway)
• Commercial Writing and Content Marketing (compulsory if you choose the Copywriting, Publishing or Scriptwriting pathway)
• Creative Non-Fiction: True Stories Well Told
• Genre Fiction: Writing for the Market
• Scriptwriting for Gaming (compulsory if you choose the Scriptwriting pathway)
• The Writer as Cultural Commentator (compulsory if you choose the Copywriting or Publishing pathway).

Placement year (if applicable)

If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after Year two.

You'll complete a placement learning module: Professional Development on Placement.

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

You'll study four of the following modules:*

• A Career in Fiction
• Creative Project
• Creative Writing and the Self
• Publishing: From Commission to Print (compulsory if you choose the Publishing pathway)
• The Professional Copywriter (compulsory if you choose the Copywriting pathway)
• The Working Scriptwriter (compulsory if you choose the Scriptwriting pathway).

*If you complete the four year (sandwich) course, you'll study three of these modules

This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

Learn through workshops, seminars, lectures and one-to-one tutorials. Independent study is a key part of the course and you'll be taught and assessed by leading academics and professional writers.

Hone your writing skills by exploring and engaging with a range of forms and audiences.

Build a compelling set of professional skills, with access to practice-led teaching, live briefs, placements and freelance work with our external partners.

Learn to promote yourself, navigate the publishing, marketing and design sectors, and explore varied opportunities for your writing.

Research is built into all the modules. You'll develop your own research skills, and work with academics and partners helping to shape new thinking in the field.

You'll be supported to set up your own social and creative enterprises, such as journals and writing groups. An Academic Personal Tutor will provide individual support throughout.

Gaining broad experience across different types of writing in Year one, you'll then have the option to shape your degree along one of four pathways, based on your module choices:

This pathway is for students who want to develop a broad set of skills throughout their degree. You'll study a mix of fiction, non-fiction, scriptwriting and copywriting modules across all three years.

This pathway is tailored for students with an interest in the commercial application of their writing. We'll help you develop skills and expertise to approach competitive environments with confidence, so that your copy cuts through.  

BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing (Publishing)

Understand how the publishing industry works today. You'll consider changes such as the rise in self-publishing and audio books. Plus you'll explore how writers can influence wider social, economic and cultural conversations.

Explore scriptwriting for performance on stage, screen and radio, as well as scripts for digital media and gaming. You'll learn about the different professional requirements in each medium, understand how to be part of a writing team and keep up to the minute with the latest trends.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms .

Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:

*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year

Workshops, seminars, lectures, project work and tutoring account for an average of 12 hours of contact time each week.

You'll be expected to spend at least 12 hours in studying independently study outside of class.

You'll be assessed through your creative and reflective writing and process work, independent projects, examinations and oral presentations. You'll graduate with a portfolio of work to show prospective employers.

Learn more about assessments .

Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:

Work experience is valuable if you're entering the creative industries. It hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought-after graduate.

If you choose the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after Year two. Your placement will be at least 26 weeks long and relevant to your course.

Our award-winning  careers and employability  service will guide and support you to find the right placement for you.

Study facilities

You'll study at  Frenchay Campus , which houses a  library  with a large collection of books, DVDs, journals and other resources. Be inspired by films, books, plays and texts in quiet study areas, group spaces or viewing rooms.

Develop skills in blogging, editing and desktop publishing using industry standard software including Wordpress and Adobe InDesign. Access lecture slides, core readings and assignment guidance on UWE Bristol's Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Take a Virtual Tour of the English, History and Writing facilities and see what's on offer here for you.

Writing project

Undertake an extended creative writing project in your final year, to explore ideas that inspire you, strengthen your individual style and build your confidence as a writer. Feedback from tutors will help you develop, and assess, your writing from a professional standpoint.

Learn vital entrepreneurial and project management skills for a freelance career in the creative and cultural industries. Access volunteering opportunities and internships with local cultural organisations.

Get involved

Bristol is a major creative hub for the arts and our staff have strong relationships with local organisations and events organisers. We'll encourage you to showcase your entrepreneurship and creativity by developing your own writing portfolio, and collaborating with students in subjects like graphic design and marketing.

Build your portfolio

Develop your news sense, working with UWE Bristol student media, including the  Hub Radio  and  Hub Voice student magazine , Cellar Door  magazine, published by our students, gives you the opportunity to showcase your creative writing. You can also bring creative screenplays to life in collaboration with our Filmaking and Drama and Acting students in the School of Arts.

Socialise and learn

Supplement your studies with trips to cultural events and visits from highly experienced industry professionals. We'll also encourage you to set up your own social and creative enterprises, such as blogs, zines and writing groups.

Start your dream career at UWE Bristol

Accommodation

An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Careers / Further study

Prepare for an exciting future in the cultural and creative industries. Tailoring what and how you study, you can shape the course towards your chosen career path.

You'll graduate with an impressive blend of subject and trade-specific writing expertise, and a range of highly transferable skills. You could establish a career in a number of professions including the arts, creative media and marketing.

You'll also be equipped for a career in publishing, editing, digital content creation, festival and cultural event management, and teaching.

Get inspired

Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and help you to find graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.

We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.

Visit our Employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.

Full-time, sandwich course

Part time course, indicative additional costs, supplementary fee information.

Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.

You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the four year course and then transfer to the three year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.

Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.

Learn more about funding .

Additional costs

This refers to items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.

Learn more about costs .

Typical offers

• Tariff points: 112
• Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page .
• GCSE: Grade C/4 in English, or equivalent.
• A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.

For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.

• Access: No specific subjects required.
• Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.
• Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
• T Levels: No specific subjects required.

Entry requirements

International applicants.

For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the country information pages. If you're an international student and don'tmeet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College .

If you're applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme .

Read more about entry requirements .

How to apply

Read more about undergraduate applications .

Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates .

For further information

UK applicants [email protected]

International/EU applicants [email protected]

UK applicants +44 (0)117 32 83333

International/EU applicants +44 (0)117 32 86644

UWE Main Campus

You may also be interested in.

BA(Hons) English with Writing

BA(Hons) English Literature

Creative and Professional Writing BA (Hons) Undergraduate - September 2024/25* Entry

Course details.

• Start Month September
• UCAS Code W890
• Qualification BA (Hons)
• Duration 3 years
• Placement Year Yes
• International Experience Year Yes

About This Course

This degree course will enable you to develop a personal creative practice as a writer, offering imaginative approaches to many areas of writing and critical insights into literary. Alongside established forms of creative writing, such as the short story, the novel and poetry, other modules include journalism, screenwriting and publishing that connect your writing skills with a range of vocational possibilities. Taught by research experts and published writers, this course will equip you with a solid grounding in the critical and practical skills you need to build a writing career. During your time with us, you will become adept at conducting research. In modules that touch on such topics as the history of film and documentary, literary theory, and news media, you will also develop skills related to editing, blogging, and publishing. As such, you will hone the skills needed within the creative industries, building your expertise and experience so that you can make a living as a professional writer.

Why choose Bangor for this course?

• Small group teaching and lectures, one-to-one supervision.
• Creative Writing is part of a vibrant Arts and Culture scene that includes Pontio, the University’s £40 million Arts Centre, local theatres, poetry groups and student societies.
• Former students have gone on to edit, publish and write creatively in a variety of literary fields and media contexts.

Additional Course Options

This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.

The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements. 

You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.

You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch.  

This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year.  You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.

Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinations and partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills. 

You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch. 

Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on the  Student Exchanges section of our website.

Watch - Lynn Tan

Course Content

Each of your chosen modules will have around 2-3 hours of face-to-face teaching each week. Teaching usually takes the form of small seminars, lectures, and workshops, where you will get the chance to meet and engage with your peers.

Assessment methods can take the form of written coursework, take-home exams, as well as oral presentations.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Creative and Professional Writing BA (Hons) Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

General University Facilities

Library and archive services.

Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.

We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.

We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.

Learning Resources

There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.  The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:

• Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
• Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line. 

Course Costs

General university costs.

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year (2021/22 entry and 2022/23 entry).
• The fee for all placement, international, and sandwich years is £1,350 (2021/22 and 2022/23).
• More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.

International (including EU) students

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

• Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
• Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
• Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

Entry Requirements

Offers are tariff based, 96 - 128 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:

• A Levels: English Literature/English Language/English preferred but not required; General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.
• BTEC National Extended Diploma: MMM - DDM 
• Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM- DDM
• City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080): considered on a case-by-case basis
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: including grade H5 in English Literature/Language
• Access: pass required
• Welsh Baccalaureate: We will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
• T Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
• Extended Project Qualification: Points can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.

We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas. 

We also welcome applications from mature learners.

International Candidates: International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on our  International pages .

*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to  www.ucas.com .

General University Requirements

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com .

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.

EU and International Students' Entry Requirements

For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College , an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

Studying Creative and Professional Writing opens up a range of career options in the creative industries, including publishing, editing, digital content creation, and cultural management. Our graduates have also gone on to work in a variety of other sectors, including the civil service, business and commerce, law, and teaching.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. 

The Bangor Employability Award (BEA)

The BEA is a comprehensive online course that you can work through at your own pace, taking you through all the steps you need to take to explore, prepare and apply for your dream career.

Internships

Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.

Student Volunteering

Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website .

Foundation Year

A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for  English Language and English Literature (with Foundation Year) .  

What is a Foundation Year course?

If you don’t have the required qualifications for the degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, then a Foundation Year Programme might be the right choice for you.

The Foundation Year is an excellent introduction to studying this subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to go on to study this course at degree-level.

When you have successfully completed the Foundation Year, you can progress on to the first year of this degree-level course.

Explore More in Creative Writing and Professional Writing

Our Creative and Professional Writing degree is an innovative, practical programme that encourages you work across a variety of disciplinary pathways. You will learn to hone your ideas and inspiration and learn to express yourself and communicate to a wider audience. 

Key Facts from Discover Uni

"come to bangor - you're going to absolutely love it" steve backshall.

[0:04] Croeso i Ddiwrnod Agored Prifysgol Bangor! [0:07] Welcome to Bangor University Open Day! [0:29] I honestly couldn't have thought of a better place as a stepping stone [0:32] to use to further my career than coming to Bangor. [0:35] I think it was the best decision I've ever made. [0:51] Come to Bangor - you're going to absolutely love it!

Got any questions? Chat to students and staff

Do you have any questions about life as a student at Bangor? Our students are on hand to tell you about their experience here. If you've got any questions about the course, our lecturers will be happy to help.

Do you have a question about life as a Bangor University student? Our ambassadors will be happy to help you find the answer.

They can tell you more about studying here, about the amazing Clubs and Societies we have, and how they made friends and settled in to life at university. 

Chat to current students

If you have any questions about the course, our lecturers are on hand to help. Below are some examples of frequently asked questions. Can you think of any more? 

• What are the qualities of a successful Creative Writing and Professional Writing student at Bangor?
• How can I prepare myself to study Creative Writing and Professional Writing at Bangor?
• How will I know that Creative Writing and Professional Writing at Bangor is the right choice for me?

*The year of entry refers to the academic year in which the course begins rather than the calendar year. E.g. a course with a March 2024 start date will be shown as 'March 2023/24 Entry' because the academic year starts in September making 2023/24 the relevant academic year. Similarly, a course with a January 2023 start date will have 'January 2022/23 Entry' because 2022/23 is the academic year of entry for that course.

Welsh University of the Year

and Top 50 in the UK Daily Mail University Guide 2024

Top 20 for Teaching Quality

and #44 in the UK The Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

4th Highest Climber

and #54 overall in the UK The Guardian University Ranking 2024

university in the UK in the Unifresher’s Alternative League Table 2023

university in the UK in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2023

university in the UK in the 2022/23 People and Planet University League

university in the World for Responsible Consumption and Production in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

university in the World in the overall Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

university in the World in the Times Higher World University Rankings and the QS World University Rankings

It looks like you’re visiting from outside the UK, would you like to be redirected to the international page?

Creative and Professional Writing BA Honours

Can't attend? See more open events

Course Overview

• Full-time - September 2024
• Part-time day - September 2024
• Part-time day - September 2025
• Full-time - September 2025

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Writing is everywhere. From the films we watch, the TV we stream and the books we read, to the social media posts we write, the marketing pitches that surround us and the news stories we receive across print and digital formats. Increasingly too, that writing is not produced by people, but by AI.

Our Creative and Professional Writing BA embraces the interconnected nature of these forms in today’s world, as well as the challenges and opportunities brought by AI generated content. The course will help you to translate your love of writing into a career, equipping you with the skills needed to develop your own creative work and a distinctive voice, whilst simultaneously preparing you for the huge range of employment opportunities for which enhanced communication skills are essential.

This course is built on authentic learning and ensures you’ll continually engage with visiting professionals from a range of creative industries. You’ll gain expertise in evaluating, critiquing and enhancing communications produced by others as well as generated by new technologies like AI.

Alongside traditional forms of creative writing, you’ll explore new opportunities such as Instagram poetry, flash fiction, extended series for streaming platforms, podcasts and immersive performances. Your studies will also focus on routes into the creative and communication industries via a practical understanding of publishing, production and curation across digital and offline platforms.

Professional Writing encompasses the wide range of styles and practices of writing used across businesses for purposes such as effective communication, content production, persuasion and promotion. This underpins careers in areas such as journalism, advertising, marketing and communications, production of educational guides and handbooks, public policy-making and content creation.

Top reasons to study with us

• Employing Humanities Programme – Prepare for your career with our Employing Humanities Programme which develops work readiness, including activities like the Hackathon, where you’ll produce work in response to live employer briefs
• Study in the heart of London , a global city and major creative, intellectual and technology hub
• Gain workplace or international experience – Optional years of work or study abroad or in a UK placement are available, providing the opportunity to extend your learning and gain insight into possible future careers
• Writer-led workshops – All of our creative writing tutors are practising poets, dramatists or novelists
• Gain valuable industry contacts – You’ll have the opportunity to make writing contacts through our talented creative writing tutors, our expert guest speakers and our industry links
• Personalised support – You’ll get individually focused academic support and career planning through our tutorials

Course structure

This course focuses on your writing practice, so you’ll learn continuously through the processes of drafting and redrafting your work. Your core modules dedicate time to tutorials where you’ll meet your module teacher to discuss your work in progress. You’ll also learn from your peers as you share your work in seminars or writing workshops.

In each year of the course, you’ll have a tutorial module, where you take part in weekly timetabled meetings in a small group with your Academic Tutor. This allows you to bring together learning from your different modules, develop projects, work through assessment preparation and feedback, and personalise your learning experience.

In your third year, you’ll choose between the creative writing or professional writing project, designing your own extended piece of work according to your areas of interest. 

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.  

• Placement Year

Subjects of study include:

• Reflective Writing 1
• Storytelling Across Platforms
• Working with Texts 1
• Writing the City
• Genre, Style and Form
• Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
• Language and Text

Credit Level 4

• Forms of Writing
• Reflective Writing 2
• Working with Texts 2
• Language in the Public Space
• Screenwriting
• Stories, Updates, Feeds: Multiplatform
• Working With Data

Credit Level 5

Professional experience or study abroad year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – Creative and Professional Writing with Professional Experience.

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – Creative and Professional Writing with International Experience.

• Individual Writing Project
• Professional Writing Project
• Publishing, Producing, Curating
• Writing Life
• Issues in Culture
• Professionalising International Communication
• Social Change
• Special Topic: Genres in Writing
• Work Placement for Humanities

Credit Level 6

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF) .

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511 (Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm BST)

[email protected]

Live chat with us (Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm BST)

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Next open day

As a student in the School of Humanities, you’ll have opportunities to gain certification in employability-related skills. This course has been designed with a strong focus on career prospects, with employability skills woven throughout the core modules and tutorial sessions. The course is intended to provide you with sophisticated critical and practical skills and a strong knowledge base across several different disciplinary fields.

The skills you gain on this course will be applicable to traditional writing careers such as journalism, editing, publishing, copywriting, teaching and translation, as well as other fields like science or art communication, data presentation, reviewing, digital content creation, subtitling, script editing, PR and story-telling for business.

Guest Speakers

Guest novelists, poets, filmmakers, editors and agents join us from across the industry to provide valuable careers advice.

Employing Humanities Programme

Our tailored scheme develops work readiness and draws attention to the wide applicability of humanities skills in working life and careers.

Boost your Employability

Gain international or workplace experience by studying abroad or undertaking a work placement between your second and third year.

Industry links

We have strong links with the creative industries and the course will include workshops run by industry experts, giving you the opportunity to network with professionals in London’s creative industries. All of our creative writing tutors are practising poets, dramatists or novelists, giving you valuable insight into a career in writing.

As part of the Employing Humanities programme, you’ll engage with employers from various fields through tailored humanities career fairs and the ‘Hackathon’, where employers provide live briefs for student work. Previous employers have included Meta, Channel 4, BBC News, Mind, Brand Advance and WaterAid.

You will also be able to engage directly with the work of the Soho Poly, once home to writers such as Hanif Kureishi, Timberlake Wertenbaker and Caryl Churchill and now revived as an onsite performance and arts workshop venue.

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course can follow a range of different routes that may include: 

• Publishing 
• PR and advertising
• Creative industries
• Media production companies
• Digital content creation
• Marketing and communications
• Civil service 

This course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas, including: 

• Marketing executive
• Communications officer
• Policy officer
• Digital content producer
• Scriptwriter
• Fiction / poetry writer
• Teacher  

Westminster Employability Award

Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.

The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.

Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.

Read more about our Westminster Employability Award .

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

• Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
• Attending an international summer school or field trip
• Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities , including funding options and where you can go.

Course Leader

Matthew Morrison

Senior lecturer, course leader.

Matt leads BA degrees in Creative Writing and English Literature, Creative and Professional Writing, and Creative Writing and English Language. He is a playwright, whose work has been produced at theatres including the Riverside Studios, the Finborough, the Arcola, Wilton’s Music Hall, HighTide, the Gate, and the Old Vic Tunnels.

He has written short stories and radio comedy for the BBC and has worked in a number of theatres as a literary manager and literary associate. He has a First Class degree from the University of York and a PhD in Theatre History. His academic publications include introductions to philosophy and creative writing.

I’ve never met a student who doesn’t have a compelling story to tell. At Westminster, every voice is important.

Course Team

• Matthew Morrison - Senior Lecturer, Course Leader
• Dr Hannah Copley - Senior Lecturer
• Dr Michael Nath - Senior Lecturer
• Dr Monica Germana - Reader

Why study this course?

Engage with live work

You’ll take part in authentic projects and sessions conducted by visiting professionals to prepare you for the working world.

Fantastic central London location

Based in our Regent Campus in central London, you’ll enjoy the benefits of studying in a major global city.

Develop your digital skills

Through this course you’ll develop skills as part of our ongoing focus on Digital Humanities. 

Entry Requirements

• International
• A Levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
• T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
• International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
• BTEC Diploma – D*D
• Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have: 

• GCSE English Language grade 4/C - IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C - IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

More information

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

• International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of Diploma Programme . International Baccalaureate Career-related programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• Country-specific entry requirements
• English language requirements
• How to apply
• Visas and advice

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme . 

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning  Creative Enterprise Centre  offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects. 

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

• INTERNATIONAL

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees .

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options .

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships .

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and  what your tuition fees cover .

International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only , you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme .

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students .

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

• Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
• Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
• Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

• Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
• Written exams: end of semester exams 
• Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation  

Data from the academic year 2023/24

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

• Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

Located on one of London’s most vibrant streets, our 309 Regent Street site houses our Humanities subjects and the Westminster Law School. Along with a city-centre location, the site boasts high-tech learning facilities, collaborative social spaces, gym facilities, and our Regent Street Cinema.

Our Regent Campus is made up of three locations – 309 Regent Street, Little Titchfield Street and Wells Street, all of which are just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street.

For more details, visit our locations page .

Related Courses

Creative Writing and English Language BA Honours

Creative Writing and English Literature BA Honours

Creative writing and english literature with foundation ba honours.

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

Your Westminster

Book an open day. Order a prospectus. Sign up for newsletters.

We use cookies to ensure the best experience on our website.

By accepting you agree to cookies being stored on your device.

Some of these cookies are essential to the running of the site, while others help us to improve your experience.

Functional cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility.

Analytics cookies help us improve our website based on user needs by collecting information, which does not directly identify anyone.

Marketing cookies send information on your visit to third parties so that they can make their advertising more relevant to you when you visit other websites.

Creative and Professional Writing BA (Hons)

UCAS points

Tell stories that matter to you with our vibrant Creative and Professional Writing degree

Explore yourself and your imagination with our hands-on Creative and Professional Writing degree. You will fine-tune your craft, work collaboratively, and learn how to write and edit in an encouraging seminar and workshop environment.

You will focus on contemporary writers and writing to understand the latest developments in the literary and social media worlds. You will cover:

• the ins-and-outs of the publishing business
• writing young adult and children’s fiction
• how to write a book proposal
• writing song lyrics
• how to write short fiction
• screenwriting and the film industry
• journalism and interviewing skills.

You decide what you write about – follow your own passion for words. We welcome and encourage you no matter your background, interests, style, or genre. 

Learn in the capital

We are only 30 minutes from central London. Therefore, you’ll have access to the capital’s diverse literature scene and world-renowned libraries. You can visit places like:

• The British Library
• Shakespeare’s Globe
• The Sherlock Holmes Museum
• The George Inn
• Charles Dickens Museum .

You'll also get a trip to the London Book Fair, where you'll be able to meet people in the industry and learn more about upcoming trends.

Expert teaching and support

Our BA Creative and Professional Writing lecturers are:

• fantasy and genre writing specialists
• experts on popular music
• young adult novelists
• professional journalists
• working scriptwriters.

This team supports your personal, professional, and academic growth from the day you arrive.

Our student, Jenny, notes how she "gets to be in an environment that helps [her] develop as a writer as well as meeting new people who enjoy stories and writing as much as [she does]." Read Jenny's full story .

Creative and Professional Writing teaching staff includes:

Dr Anthony McGowan renowned author of more than 40 children’s and young adult books. His novel Lark won the Carnegie Medal for Writing, one of the most prestigious awards for children’s fiction in the world.

Dr Russell Schechter, Course Leader for Creative Writing and a World Fantasy Award-nominated novelist. He has been awarded the title of St Mary’s University Champion of Student Experience by a vote of students.

Dr Russell Schechter

Senior Lecturer and Course Lead - BA Creative & Professional Writing and MA Creative Writing

Applying to university can be daunting, and you may have questions about applying, student life, or your course.

Course content

At St Mary's University we promote an interdisciplinary approach to the Humanities and this is an important and unique part of our offer.

Unlike other Humanities degrees, if your choose to study Creative and Professional Writing at St Mary's you can expand your knowledge by exploring modules across English, History, Liberal Arts, Theology, Film and Politics.

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer .

Current Writers and Writing

Introduction to narrative

Rethinking Modernity

The Public Role of the Arts and Humanities

Introduction to Critical Theory

Film, Style and Form

Digital Cultures

Media History

Doing History

Revolutions and Rebellions

London Theatre

What is Politics?

Introduction to International Relations

Digital Production

British Film and TV

Foundations in Biblical Interpretation

Key Concepts in World Religions

Fundamentals of Systematic Theology

The Nature of Religion

Introduction to Ethics

Writing Genre Fiction

The Publishing Industry

Journalism 1: News Writing

Writing Lyrics and Poetry

Curating London

Gothic Cultures 1760-1900

Romanticism: English Literature and its Background 1776-1832

Writing Gender and Identity in the Nineteenth-Century Novel

Screenwriting 1

North American Cinema

Screen Theory and Criticism

Documentary and World Cinema

Multimedia Production

Working with the Liberal Arts

Researching the Liberal Arts

Liberty or Death: The French Revolution

Australia: Great Southern Land

Public Histories

Popular Culture, Politics and History

Theory, Practice and History of Diplomacy

Political Economy of Global Development

Modernity and Global Societies

Research Methods in Social Sciences

God in Christ

Religion and Reason

Ecclesiology

Medieval Islamic Thought

Religion in Contemporary Society

Theological Anthropology

The Aspiring Entrepreneur

Responsible Leadership in the 21st Century

An Interdisciplinary Encounter With the Sacred

Creative Non-Fiction

Writing Adaptations

Young Adult and Children’s Fiction

Dissertation/Independent Project

Renaissance Kingship

Modernisms in English Literature

The Paradox of Horror

Screenwriting 2

Global Media

Political Communication

Hindu Texts

Christian Ethics

Christian Spirituality

Ecclesiology and Mariology

Entry requirements

96 UCAS points should include at least two B grades at A Level (or equivalent).

We will make you an offer if you are within the tariff band range and you meet subject-specific requirements (where applicable).

For undergraduate programmes we will take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile, relevant non-academic achievements outlined in your personal statement, references, and your motivation for study.

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement  through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

Further Information

For more information about entry requirements please email [email protected] .

How many UCAS points my grades are worth

My qualification isn't listed:

If you can't find your qualification in this list please check the full list of UCAS tariff tables .

Fees & funding

Tuition fees.

International

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Government's review of Higher Education Funding.

Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section .

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage . 

Scholarships

Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students .

Living costs

A guide to your  living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

How the degree is taught

Contact time - 18 %

Independent study - 82 %

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

The Creative and Professional Writing programme is taught by means of lectures, seminars, workshops and individual tutorials. Enthusiastic student participation is essential to success in the programme.

Students are encouraged to start creative writing at a very early stage in the course and to regularly share their work with colleagues. There are opportunities for collaborative projects and developing skills in constructive criticism of creative work. 

Class sizes range from 15 to 35 students, depending on the module.

Assessment methods

With no exams, the programme - by its very nature - places a premium on practical exercises, coursework and projects, so skills will be assessed by a diverse range of methods. 

Modules are assessed on the basis of creative writing portfolios, course workbooks and presentations. Attendance and active participation in writing workshops is an essential aspect of assessment for some modules. All assessment is coursework based, with no examinations.

In the final year of the programme it's possible for you to be assessed in large part on lengthier-scale projects. These will be produced within the framework of a special study or portfolio, under the close supervision of a specialist tutor.

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.

Career opportunities

Our Creative and Professional Writing degree will help you develop key transferrable skills like communication, confidence, and attention to detail.

Contact our Career Services at [email protected] for further information on work and postgraduate opportunities.

Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of Creative and Professional Writing BA (Hons) include:

More from St Mary's

Thinking about whether St Mary's is the right place for you? Come and visit it us on campus.

Find out more about the extensive support system available to you at St Mary’s.

Discover the many areas in which our academies are currently researching.

Discover what life is like on our London campus.

Useful links

Open Days are a fantastic opportunity for you to meet academic staff. You'll also be able to look around the campus, speak to current students and find out more about services such as Accommodation, Student Wellbeing and Study Abroad.

English (Creative Writing), BA

On this page:.

At a Glance: program details

• Location: Tempe campus
• Additional Program Fee: No
• Second Language Requirement: No

• Initial Math Course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics

Required Courses (Major Map)

Major Map on-campus archive

eAdvisor Tracking Tool

Program Description

The BA in English with a concentration in creative writing focuses on the study and practice of the literary arts, with courses in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction.

Students gain practical experience through writing workshops and internship opportunities.

The undergraduate program features an outstanding faculty whose many books have received major national and international recognition.

In addition to the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit The College's website for more information and requirements.

Admission to the Creative Writing Concentration (Fiction & Poetry)

Portfolio submission period opens: february 20, 2023, portfolios due: march 17, 2023 by 5:00pm, submit here: spring 2023 creative writing concentration  .

Note: You need to be logged into your ASU Gmail account to connect to the portfolio submission form.  

About the Creative Writing Concentration

The Creative Writing Program encourages all interested students, regardless of their field of study, to join our community of writers through beginning and intermediate workshops in fiction and poetry (ENG 287/ENG 288 , ENG 387/ENG 388), diverse special topics courses (ENG 394/ENG 494), and various, exciting writing events held on campus. 

Interested students*, who have already taken beginning and intermediate workshops, and are committed to continuing their study of Creative Writing, have an opportunity to develop their skills in supportive, highly focused workshops through the Creative Writing Concentration. Instruction in the tradition(s) to which concentration students can aspire and uphold, and from which they may draw inspiration, will be provided by the Creative Writing Program's nationally recognized faculty of writers.

Please note that acceptance into the Creative Writing Concentration is restricted.   Students must submit a portfolio for review and be offered a seat in the advanced workshops. (Please see the "Portfolio Review Guidelines" below.) 

*Students interested in pursuing both fiction and poetry at the 400-level, must check with their academic advisor to ensure that the necessary courses (ENG 487, ENG 488, ENG 498: Fiction, ENG 498: Poetry) will fit their degree plan. Students must submit two portfolios--one in fiction, one in poetry--to be considered for admittance into advanced coursework in both areas. 

Students pursuing the Creative Writing Concentration must either select as their major the bachelor's in English with a concentration in creative writing upon being admitted to ASU or, after entering the university, meet with an English advisor to change to this major and concentration.  Non English-majors will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• To complete the concentration, English majors who have already declared themselves in the creative writing concentration must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in their major.
• Concentration students must complete the two advanced courses in their genre (ENG 487 and ENG 498 in poetry, or ENG 488 and ENG 498 in fiction). Note that enrollment into these courses is restricted. Spaces are limited. Students must submit a portfolio and be selected to move forward.  (See the "Portfolio Review Guidelines" below.)
• Transfer students must seek advisement as to whether they will be able to successfully fulfill the creative writing concentration requirements.
• PLEASE NOTE :  Students admitted to begin 400-level coursework through the Fall 2020 Portfolio Review will start their coursework in Spring 2021. ENG 488 (fiction) will be taken in the Spring semester. The capstone course, ENG 498, will be taken in the Fall 2021 semester. ENG 487/488 and ENG 498 may not be taken simultaneously. 
• The next portfolio review for fiction will be offered in Fall 2022. The next portfolio review for fiction and poetry will be offered in Spring 2023.
• Students are only allowed to apply for the creative writing concentration twice during their time at ASU.

Portfolio Submission: How to Apply

Submit your completed portfolio online via the link below. Your portfolio should include:

1.     COVER SHEET (Available Online)

2.     CREATIVE WRITING SAMPLE

     a.      Poetry Sample: 5 poems

     b.      Fiction Sample: 1 piece of fiction of at least 5 double-spaced pages and not longer than 10 double-spaced pages

3.     PERSONAL STATEMENT (2 double spaced pages or 500 words)

     a.    Discuss your interest in the relevant genre (poetry or fiction)

     b.     What do you hope to gain from the creative writing concentration

4.     CRAFT ESSAY (2 double spaced pages or 500 words)

     a.     Submit an essay on a single poem or short story focusing an element(s) of craft you learned from the piece, how that craft element(s) works within the poem/story, and  why this aspect of craft is pertinent to your own writing

     b.     Please provide textual examples from the creative piece in your essay

5 .      SUBMIT: SPRING 2023 CREATIVE WRITING CONCENTRATION

        NOTE: You need to be logged into your ASU Gmail account to connect to the portfolio submission form. 

Further Information  

To receive further information about the bachelor's in English with a concentration in creative writing, make an appointment to speak with English undergraduate advisor at 480-965-3168. You may also contact Creative Writing Program Manager, Justin Petropoulos ( [email protected] ), RBH 152.

Portfolio Review Guidelines

Admission Requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

Change of Major Requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.

Flexible Degree Options

Accelerated program options.

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:

English -->

Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, affording college, tuition calculator, scholarships, financial aid, career outlook.

Degree programs in English prepare students for graduate studies in a number of programs, including English, creative writing, education, law and business. They also lead to a variety of careers in diverse fields. Employers seek those with strong writing, communication and critical thinking skills. Some of the most common professions for English majors are in the fields of:

• nonprofit service

Graduates often find roles where they spend time:

• developing web content
• managing public relations
• writing professional and technical content

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:

Writers and Authors

• Growth: 3.7%
• Median Salary*: 73150
• Growth: -4%
• Median Salary*: 73080

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

• Growth: 1.2%
• Median Salary*: 74280

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education.

• Median Salary*: 62360

Public Relations Specialists

• Growth: 6.1%
• Median Salary*: 67440

Search Marketing Strategists

• Growth: 13.4%
• Median Salary*: 68230

Technical Writers

• Growth: 6.9%
• Median Salary*: 79960

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Global Opportunities

Global experience.

Studying abroad expands students' perspectives by exposing them to new and distinct cultures, communities and people. Students can explore the English language at a deeper level through an extended lens of dialects, literature and terminology in one of more than 300 study abroad programs.

Students can enhance their resumes with the educational experience and heightened cultural competency, communication and critical thinking skills they acquire through study abroad programs.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends these study abroad programs for students majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing .

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-3168

Online Students

For All Online Programs

International Students

On Campus, need or have Visa

Campus Students

For All Campus Programs

Creative Writing Degree Online Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Write Your Own Story 

• $330/credit (120 credits)
• Transfer up to 90 credits
• Receive credit for prior learning
• 4 genre options for concentrations
• Advanced writing workshops
• No application fee or SAT/ACT scores required

Creative Writing Degree Program Overview

If you have a passion for storytelling and want to pursue a career using your writing talents, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing and English program can help you get on the right path.

You'll develop your writing skills alongside students from across the country, who represent an incredible range of voices and experiences. Together, you'll participate in workshops, producing work and presenting it to your peers for commentary and discussion.

"Everything I learned during my degree journey added to my understanding of how to write and boosted my creativity," said Aubrie Arnold '20 , a graduate of the creative writing program. "I now feel like I can and will write novels – I’m working on that now – and I feel like I have the correct tools to make those novels successful.”

This degree is also an attractive option for transfer students, as it offers a number of free electives.

What You'll Learn

• Essential writing and critical-thinking skill sets
• Literary analysis to inform the application of storytelling elements
• Literary form, genre, structure and style
• Conventions and techniques used by varying genres

How You'll Learn

At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom, and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.

An Online Creative Writing Degree Can Help You Reach Your Goals

Whether you are looking to advance your career or simply want to pursue your passion for writing, the online creative writing bachelor's program at SNHU offers a supportive community, comprehensive curriculum, and flexible format that can help you achieve your goals.

Concentration Options

When you choose to study creative writing at SNHU, you have the option to stay with the general track – which gives you the flexibility to study a variety of genres – or you can opt to add one of our 4 concentrations to your degree : fiction, nonfiction, poetry or screenwriting.

Fiction Aspiring authors and storytellers who are looking for a way to gain inspiration and foster their imaginations will find the online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing and English with a concentration in Fiction Writing to be the perfect balance of craft and critical analysis. This BA program emphasizes the craft of fiction writing and helps you develop an appreciation for all forms of fiction while honing your writing skills and philosophy of composition. You'll gain insights into publishing technologies and the industry as you enhance your fundamental knowledge of fiction writing's most crucial elements. This comprehensive program gives you a powerful understanding of plot, character development, narrative voice and other mechanics of creative writing. Studying fiction writing at Southern New Hampshire University doesn't just focus on developing your skill and technique. This program also gives you the opportunity to explore your creative boundaries, perfect your craft and dive deeper into your preferred genre. From fantasy to sci-fi and mystery to young adult, you can embrace the style of writing that you're drawn to and bring your original stories to life. The format of this BA program encourages collaboration and direct interaction with faculty and peers. You'll also have the chance to get published and learn from experienced authors through The Penmen Review, our own online journal for writers. Nicholas Patterson '22 found peer interaction through writing workshops to be a favorite part of his program. "I have learned tons of new skills," he said, "but most importantly learned how to grow from constructive criticism." Career outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for writers and authors was $73,150 in 2022. 1 The BLS notes that a degree and publication is typically required for a full-time writing position. Writers who concentrate in fiction have career opportunities in a range of professions, including content writing, editing, copywriting, publishing, communications and more. Courses may include: New Media: Writing and Publishing Fiction Writing Workshop Intermediate Fiction Writing Workshop Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop Request Info Apply Now Nonfiction Discover your niche with a nonfiction writing degree online at Southern New Hampshire University. Our online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing and English with a concentration in Nonfiction delves into a wide variety of styles and subjects – everything from the personal essay to autobiography, memoir, travel writing and magazine features. Our creative writing online program can help you combine research and reflection with compelling storytelling. You'll also gain insights into publishing technologies and the industry, explore your creative boundaries and develop a unique voice. A solid foundation in the broader scope of creative writing is critical to the craft of nonfiction writing. In our comprehensive nonfiction writing program, you'll acquire a powerful understanding of research, narrative voice and other mechanics of creative writing. The online nonfiction writing degree program's format encourages collaboration and ongoing interaction with faculty and peers. You'll also have the chance to get published and learn from experienced authors through The Penmen Review, our own online journal for writers. Career outlook: The median annual salary for writers and authors was $73,150 in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 1 Nonfiction writers can publish in magazines, newspapers, and literary journals, as well as find career opportunities in digital content writing, social media/communications, copywriting and editing. Courses may include: New Media: Writing and Publishing Nonfiction Writing Workshop Intermediate Nonfiction Writing Workshop Advanced Nonfiction Writing Workshop Request Info Apply Now Poetry The online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry degree program is an opportunity for aspiring poets to find inspiration, engagement and creative collaboration with peers and faculty alike. Our specialized program enables you to hone your craft and unleash your imagination, helping you create imagery in verse. While a poetry degree is valuable in and of itself, it can also prepare you for many professional paths. You can explore careers in creative writing, advertising, journalism, publishing and advertising copywriting. Southern New Hampshire University also offers an online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry. As a student in our poetry degree online program, you'll begin taking writing courses during your first year. You'll also have the chance to get published and learn from experienced authors through The Penmen Review, our own online journal for writers. Career outlook: Career paths with a BA in creative writing include work as a creative writer, advertising copywriter, journalist, publisher or poet. Writers have also found careers in communications, digital content writing and editing. Courses may include: New Media: Writing and Publishing Poetry Writing Workshop Intermediate Poetry Writing Workshop Advanced Poetry Writing Workshop Request Info Apply Now Screenwriting Whether you have dreams of writing blockbusters, developing documentaries or working with other writers on sitcoms, the online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing and English with a concentration in Screenwriting is an excellent way to hone your writing skills and put your passion to work. The classes in this specialized online screenwriting degree are based on a comprehensive study of creative writing, with a special focus on story structure, character development and the visual medium of film. You'll have the opportunity to explore all of the forms that screenwriting takes – feature-length and short films, television episodes and miniseries, commercial and internet-based video. While creative writing is at the core of this program, your screenwriting classes will place a special emphasis on visual storytelling. Designed by experienced and distinguished faculty, this creative writing program will give you a powerful understanding of how story, character, theme, action, visuals and dialogue intertwine to create a compelling moment in time. The format for the screenwriting degree online program encourages collaboration and direct interaction with faculty and peers. You'll also have the chance to get published and learn from experienced authors through The Penmen Review, our own online journal for writers. Career outlook: Blockbuster movies, independent films and shorts, commercials, television dramas and sitcoms all rest their success on the backbone of their scripts. Screenwriters have lots of options when it comes to navigating their careers. You could pursue independent work and make your stories come to life – or you could develop scripts for specific projects that need a writer's touch. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors earned a median annual salary of $73,150 in 2022. 1 Courses may include: New Media: Writing and Publishing Introduction to Screenwriting Workshop Intermediate Screenwriting Workshop Advanced Screenwriting Workshop Request Info Apply Now if (typeof accordionGroup === "undefined") { window.accordionGroup = new accordion(); } accordionGroup.init(document.getElementById('a7db942c2ff94e9783a92e9b328572c0')); Career Outlook

Use storytelling skills to write everything from children’s books and novels to biographies, essays and memoirs.

Apply your understanding of the written word to plan, review and revise content for publication in books, periodicals or online platforms.

Promote a product, service or organization with content for advertisements, marketing campaigns or websites.

Research topics, investigate story ideas and interview sources to write compelling nonfiction articles for newspapers, magazines, blogs and television news programs.

Screenwriter

Use the power of writing to create visual and auditory experiences for everything from major blockbuster films to television episodes and commercials.

Speechwriter

Write speeches for business leaders, politicians and others, using words to engage with and move an audience.

And with today's technology, it's easy for writers and authors to work from just about anywhere as long as they have internet access – meaning jobs aren't limited to major cities anymore.

In addition to the writing skills you'll develop in a creative writing degree program, you could also pick up a handful of other career skills 1 the workforce desperately needs, like:

• Adaptability: Adapt to updates in software platforms and programs, including various content management systems (CMS).
• Creativity: Develop interesting plots, characters or ideas for new stories.
• Critical-thinking skills: Understand concepts that must be conveyed through writing.
• Determination: Gain the focus to meet deadlines.
• Persuasion: Convince others to feel a certain way about a good or service – especially if you choose a career in advertising.
• Social perceptiveness: Develop an understanding of how readers respond to and connect with your work.

"This [program] not only allowed me to explore my creativity through writing," said Nicholas Patterson '22 . "It taught me the fundamentals of the industry and how to pursue a career in it."

Job Growth and Salary

Prospects for writer and author occupations appear promising in the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry shift from print to online media should result in employment growth. 1

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, career opportunities for writers and authors are projected to grow 4% through 2032 — that's as fast as average for all occupations. 1

In 2022, the median annual wage for writers and authors was $73,150 . 1

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Start Your Journey Toward an Online Creative Writing Degree

Why snhu for your creative writing degree flexible with no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7. affordable as part of our mission to make higher education more accessible, we’re committed to keeping our tuition rates low. in fact, we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation. prior coursework could also help you save time and money. snhu’s transfer policy  allows you to transfer up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree and 45 credits for an associate degree from your previous institutions—that means you could save up to 75% off the cost of tuition. you could also save time and money by getting college credit for previous work experience , or by taking advantage of military discounts and employer tuition assistance if available to you. respected founded in 1932 , southern new hampshire university is a private, nonprofit institution with over 160,000 graduates across the country. snhu is accredited by the new england commission of higher education (neche), a regional accreditor, which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.  recently, snhu has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education: u.s. news & world report named snhu the 2021 most innovative university in the north and one of the nation's "best regional universities" awarded the 21st century distance learning award for excellence in online technology by the united states distance learning association (usdla) a $1 million grant from google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth network at southern new hampshire university, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 300,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities. opportunities you'll have the chance to share your work with the vibrant creative writing community at snhu: the penmen review , our online journal that accepts submissions 12 times a year word for word, a bimonthly livestream event featuring published writers reading from their work fall fiction contest, a short-story competition that offers snhu scholarships among its prizes student writers spotlight, a livestream reading showcasing the best of snhu's creative writing students 93.6% of online students would recommend snhu (according to a 2022 survey with 17,000+ respondents). discover why snhu may be right for you . admission requirements expanding access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. that’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials: completed free undergraduate application prior transcripts, which we can retrieve at no cost to you test scores are not required as part of your application acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms . how to apply if you’re ready to apply, follow these simple steps to get the process going: complete a free undergraduate application submit any additional documents required work with an admission counselor  to explore financial options  and walk through the application process if you have questions or need help filling out your application, call 1.888.387.0861 or email [email protected] . if (typeof accordiongroup === "undefined") { window.accordiongroup = new accordion(); } accordiongroup.init(document.getelementbyid('06235c05b74e467bb258c6a2eee81259')); what snhu students are saying.

"I came [to SNHU] originally to have more freedoms and explore my creativity in a new environment. This program has given me that and more – this program has enabled me to improve myself in every facet of writing, from brainstorming a new idea to learning about genres and even how to market myself and my writing."

.b{fill:#21386d;}.c{fill:#21386e;stroke:#21386e;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-width:.17px;}

120 Credits

.b{fill:#21386d;}.c{fill:#21386e;}

8-Week Terms

.st0{fill:none;stroke:#21386E;stroke-width:4;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;}

100% Online

.st0{fill:none;stroke:#0A3370;stroke-width:5;stroke-miterlimit:10;} .st1{fill:none;stroke:#0A3370;stroke-width:5;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;} .st2{fill:none;stroke:#0A3370;stroke-width:5;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;} .st3{fill:none;stroke:#093471;stroke-width:5;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;} .st4{fill:none;stroke:#0A3370;stroke-width:5;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;} .st5{fill:#0A3370;} .st6{fill:none;stroke:#093471;stroke-width:5;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;} .st7{fill:none;stroke:#093471;stroke-width:5.6167;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;} .st8{fill:none;stroke:#093471;stroke-width:6;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;} .st9{fill:none;stroke:#093471;stroke-width:5.0059;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;}

No Set Class Times

Southern New Hampshire University is home to one of the largest creative writing programs in the country.

Our unique online creative writing degree allows you to take writing courses from the start. The program features 4 writing workshops, including an advanced workshop in which you'll complete a polished piece in the genre of your choice.

The courses in our BA in Creative Writing can help develop your talent for creating stories, novels and characters and turning them into finished, professional pieces. Whether you choose the general track or a specific genre, you'll learn from published writers with valuable industry insights.

In addition to the courses and electives within the major, SNHU's online writing degree program includes 30 credits of free electives. This leaves you with room to choose courses or a minor in an area of study that you'd like to write about – like history or psychology – or the opportunity to complement your studies with career skills, such as graphic design or marketing. The amount of free electives also makes our creative writing degree an attractive option for transfer students.

Throughout your program, you'll learn from published writers, professional editors, publishers and established literary critics – subject-matter experts who can help guide you to improving your craft.

As a bonus at SNHU, you can choose to further your study of creative writing with one of our popular graduate programs:

• Online MA in English and Creative Writing: Building on the learnings from your bachelor's degree, you can choose from the same 4 concentrations – fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting or poetry – in this 36-credit online master's in writing  program,  which allows you to develop creative works that can contribute to your professional advancement.
• Online MFA in Creative Writing: Gain both the writing skills and the professional skills to succeed in areas like marketing, publishing, content writing, teaching and freelancing in this fully online, 48-credit online MFA in creative writing  program. You can also focus on a wide range of fiction genres – such as contemporary, romance, young adult or speculative – plus you'll add one of two embedded certificates to your program: professional writing or the online teaching of writing.
• Low-Residency MFA in Fiction or Nonfiction: This highly focused 2-year program consists of 4 workshops and 4 in-person, weeklong residencies in New Hampshire. Within the 60-credit low-residency MFA  program, you'll complete both a manuscript suitable for submission to editors and a critical essay that's ideal for literary journals.

Curriculum Requirements & Resources

General education.

All undergraduate students are required to take general education courses , which are part of SNHU's newly redesigned program, The Commons. The goal of The Commons' curriculum is to empower you with some of the most in-demand skills, so you can succeed not only in your academic career, but in your personal and professional life too.

Technology Resources

We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments .

Earn Math Credits

Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment. For additional information, or to register for a Pathways to Math Success assessment, contact your admission counselor or academic advisor today.

Minimum Hardware Requirements Component Type   PC (Windows OS)   Apple (Mac OS)   Operating System  Currently supported operating system from Microsoft.   Currently supported operating system from Apple.  Memory (RAM)  8GB or higher  8GB or higher  Hard Drive  100GB or higher  100GB or higher  Antivirus Software  Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students.  Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students.  SNHU Purchase Programs  Visit Dell   Visit Apple   Internet/ Bandwidth  5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency  5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency  Notes:   Laptop or desktop?   Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.  Note:   Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.  Office 365 Pro Plus  is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for  Microsoft 365 plans  for business, education and government.  Antivirus software:  Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.  if (typeof accordionGroup === "undefined") { window.accordionGroup = new accordion(); } accordionGroup.init(document.getElementById('f756dce5bd874c61855f6f6e92d88470')); What to Expect as an Online Student No set class times: Asynchronous classes let you do your coursework when and where you want Pick your pace: Choose between full time (2 courses) or part time (1 course) each term Student support: 24/7 access to online student services like the library, tech and academic support if (typeof carouselContainer === "undefined") { window.carouselContainer = new carousel(); } let vc_0a2c09e41977426b8f3008e18ed9a68a = document.getElementById('carousel-0a2c09e41977426b8f3008e18ed9a68a') if (vc_0a2c09e41977426b8f3008e18ed9a68a !== null) { carouselContainer.init(vc_0a2c09e41977426b8f3008e18ed9a68a); } University Accreditation

Tuition & Fees

As a private, nonprofit university, we’re committed to making college more accessible by making it more affordable. That’s why we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

We also offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs No Application Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

Frequently Asked Questions

Actor Stephanie Gould Surprised Onstage With Diploma Delivery

Associate Dean of Liberal Arts Dr. Robert Denning: A Faculty Q&A

Must-Watch Movies: A Guide for Tomorrow's Filmmakers

We value your privacy

We use cookies to allow this site to work for you, improve your user experience, and to serve you advertising tailored to your interests. Let us know if you agree to all cookies. You can manage your preferences at any time

Your Privacy

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

Personalise what you see on this page.

• United States

LOOKING FOR

• Undergraduate courses
• Postgraduate courses
• CHOOSE ONE OR MORE

Popular universities

• University of Kent
• University of East Anglia UEA
• University of Chester
• Coventry University
• University of Aberdeen
• University of Portmouth
• Nottingham Trent University
• University of Sunderland
• London Metropolitan University
• London South Bank University
• University of East London
• BROWSE ALL UNIVERSITIES

Course search

Popular undergraduate courses.

• Computer Science
• LLB Bachelor of Laws
• Biomedical Sciences
• Physiotherapy
• Sports Science

Open days search

Upcoming open days.

• BIMM University
• University of Wales Trinity Saint David
• Arts University Bournemouth
• University of Roehampton

Article search

Popular articles.

• What is UCAS Extra?
• Replying to offers
• What's a university open day
• Student finance and funding
• Types of degree in the UK
• BROWSE ALL ARTICLES

Popular topics

• Choosing what to study
• Choosing where to study
• Applying to university
• League tables
• Student life - after you start

Creative and Professional Writing BA (Hons) Bristol, University of the West of England

Course options

Qualification.

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Frenchay Campus

• TUITION FEES
• ENTRY REQUIREMENT
• UNIVERSITY INFO

Course summary

Application deadline

Modules (Year 1)

Modules (year 2), modules (year 3), modules (year 4), tuition fees.

• Afghanistan
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Congo (Democratic Republic)
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Ivory Coast
• Korea DPR (North Korea)
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• Palestinian Authority
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Republic of Ireland
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• Switzerland
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Vatican City
• Western Samoa

15,850 per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

Entry requirements

Choose a qualification.

QUALIFICATION TYPE

• UCAS Points
• Access to HE Diploma
• GCSE/National 4/National 5
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

No specific subjects required. Points from A-Level General Studies and AS-Level subjects (not taken onto full A-Level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of two A-Levels.

Do you need to know more?

Ask a question directly and subscribe to this university

University information

Bristol, University of the West of England

University league table, campus address.

Bristol, University West of England, (UWE), Coldharbour Lane, Frenchay, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, BS16 1QY, England

Subject rankings

Subject ranking.

• Business & Management Studies
• Communication & Media Studies

57th out of 121 5

68th out of 95 10

Entry standards

Graduate prospects

Student satisfaction

Is this page useful?

Sorry about that..., how can we improve it, thanks for your feedback.

Online English – Creative Writing, BA

Get more information.

• Name * First Last
• Degree * English - Creative Writing, BA
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Privacy Notice

Program at a Glance

• In State Tuition
• Out of State Tuition

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

Inspire and engage others through your creative writing skills.

You’re full of bold ideas, innovative concepts and compelling thoughts. In studying the craft of creative writing you are taking your place beside those who use language, literature and writing to shape our world.

Through UCF Online’s creative writing courses, you’ll become an expert communicator with a deep appreciation of fiction, poetry and non-fiction prose. This program will guide you through an understanding of rhetoric, communication and literary structure within a diverse array of texts. You’ll also stretch your imagination as you hone your own craft, learning how to construct poignant arguments, think critically and develop original creative content for fiction and nonfiction genres.

Written communication is one of the most enduring, flexible and sought-after skills in today’s employment landscape. With your online creative writing degree you’ll be poised for a career in a variety of fields, including law, editing and publishing, teaching, consulting and more. Get started today and earn your BA in Creative Writing.

Undergraduate Application Deadlines

Ready to get started, course overview, fiction writing workshop.

An intermediate level fiction writing workshop for English majors; group analysis and criticism; close reading of contemporary fiction and fiction theory.

Advanced Poetry Writing Workshop

Intensive writing practice in poetry. Peer critique and group discussion of original manuscripts.

History of Prose Style

Close study of style and craft in exemplary works of fiction and creative nonfiction from various time periods.

Skills You'll Learn

• Learn how to self-edit and provide constructive feedback to others, helping you refine your writing and improve your overall craftsmanship.
• Generate unique ideas, explore unconventional perspectives, and approach problems from various angles.
• Cultivate your ability to gather relevant data, evaluate sources and critically assess different perspectives, which can be applied to various professional settings.

Career Projections

Annual Job Openings

Job Growth Between 2019 - 2029

Source: Lightcast™ . 2023

Career Opportunities

• technical writer

Related Online Programs

• Writing and Rhetoric, BA
• Career and Technical Education, BS
• English - Technical Communication, BA

Our Courses

• Undergraduate Courses
• Postgraduate Courses
• Online Distance Learning
• Degree Apprenticeships
• CPD Short Courses
• Architecture and Construction
• Business and Law
• Creative Industries
• Digital and Cyber
• Health and Social Care
• Teaching and Education
• Courses A-Z
• Order a Prospectus
• How to apply
• Ask about a course
• Accounting, Finance and Economics
• Architecture
• Business and Management
• Computer Science
• Film, Media and Screen
• Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Social Work and Social Care
• Sport and Physical Activity
• Civil Engineering and Built Environment
• Cyber Security
• Health Sciences

Varsity Sport Festival: Fostering camaraderie and competition

University Life

• Living in Wolverhampton
• Living in Walsall
• Living in Telford
• Make a Course Enquiry
• Opening Times
• Student Memberships
• Bus Stop Locations
• Humans of WLV
• Disability Support
• Mature Students Support
• Part-time work
• Student Safety
• How do I apply?
• City Campus
• Walsall Campus
• Telford Campus
• Springfield Campus
• Our Facilities
• Virtual Tour
• News and Events
• Find the right course for you
• Making your application
• After you've applied
• Scholarships
• Costs and Funding
• Repayment Options
• Contact the Gateway

Looking for Bright Sparks: Engineers to teach Physics in new project 

Research academics secure international funding to help SAVE the planet

International

Entry requirements.

• English Entry Requirements
• Apply Direct
• International Fees
• Prospective Students
• New Students 
• Current Students
• Who to Contact 

New partnership agreement extends reach to Uzbekistan

Our Schools

• School of Creative Industries
• School of Social Science and Humanities
• University of Wolverhampton Business School
• University of Wolverhampton Law School
• School of Allied Health and Midwifery
• School of Education
• School of Nursing
• School of Psychology
• School of Health and Society
• School of Sport
• School of Architecture & Built Environment 
• School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences
• School of Life Sciences
• School of Pharmacy

West Midlands Mayor cuts ribbon on new employment and skills hub in Walsall

Work With Us

• National Brownfield Institute
• University of Wolverhampton Science Park
• e-Innovation Centre
• Business and Technology Centre
• Conference Booking
• Dining & Refreshments
• Guide for Employers
• Apprenticeship Courses
• Make an Enquiry
• Adopt green processes  (EnTRESS)
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
• University Procurement
• University Jobs
• Executive Education Programmes and Courses
• Accessing our graduate talent pool
• General Higher Education sessions
• Partnerships
• Aspire to HE
• Supplying the University
• Our History
• Governance 
• Academic Calendar
• Equality & Diversity
• Contacts & Maps
• Corporate Information
• Security Services
• Safeguarding
• Applicant Day
• Campus Tours
• Latest News
• Media Relations
• Follow Our Socials
• Teaching and Research
• Human Resources
• Training & Development Opportunities
• eLearning Portal
• Digital Print Services
• Staff Wellbeing Hub
• Comms Toolkit
• Careers Enterprise and The Workplace
• Student Support
• Academic calendar
• Course Guides
• Student Voice
• Stay in touch – Update your details
• Benefits & Services
• Transcripts & Certificates
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Make a donation
• Search Library Resources
• Using the library
• Subject Resources
• Skills for learning
• Digital Campus

BA (Hons) Creative and Professional Writing with English Literatures

Why choose this course.

This is one of only a few courses in the UK that offers English Literatures with Creative and Professional Writing. You will have the opportunity to engage with a Learning Pathway choosing either Poetry, Prose, Professional or Specialist Writings via a range of optional modules at Level 5. These pathways are designed to both enable you to take ownership over your learning and become more specialist within your writing practice, and work as complementary to English Literatures modules. Some modules are interdisciplinary in their nature and delivery; others will offer you the opportunity to study writers of the region as your potential contemporaries, or to explore a form that can enhance written practice in terms of genre. There are also modules that will offer insight into the multicultural literary landscape that now delineates the publishing industry. This will not only better prepare you for industry and working within literary fields, but you will be equipped with the tools for the business of writing and to manage a portfolio career.

What happens on the course?

This programme is devised to enable writers to write and read widely around their subject; to develop skills, talent, and style within a variety of writing contexts, creative and professional. This is all enhanced by the dual focus of analysing existing literatures in terms of genre and subject and understanding how historical contexts continue to apply to our writing today. Led by a team of active published writers and leading academics in their fields of expertise, we work to the ethos that ‘as you write it, we are writing too’, offering an inclusive and supportive environment as one cohesive learning, reading, and writing community. We are aware of what writers need to do in terms of the business of writing; how our knowledge and passion for literatures enables our practice, and therefore offer a continuous platform of support and guidance alerting students to the many career routes a writer can pursue. Our new Learning Pathways programme will enable you to take ownership of your own learning from Level 5, allowing you to either pursue a more specialist approach to your writing, mastering your medium, work across the different forms and styles of writing we study, or opt for literatures-based modules to complement practice. The programme will introduce you to the relevant concepts and theories associated with writing and readerships, and encourage you to work across disciplines via our collaborative partnerships with the School of Art.

A dedicated Writing Week in Week 7 brings the whole cohort together - UG and PG students - as one learning community, offering dedicated writing spaces and access to authors and industry experts. This degree will not only nurture your reading, literary knowledge, critical skills, and practice by enabling you to foster a profound understanding of your authorial intentions and process, but enable you to communicate more effectively, and, through informal workshops, enhance your own creative and critical judgement. Consequently, you will develop a range of vital transferable skills including presentation and oral performance; social media management and digital literacy; close reading skills for editing and proof reading; enterprise and entrepreneurship; project management and working collaboratively, all of which are of immense value in graduate employment and freelance/portfolio careers.

Course Modules

This module aims to: acquaint students to a wide range of ideas about language and writing; develop a foundational understanding of language, text and the craft of writing for future creative and professional writing experiences; enable students to make informed judgments about the nature and function of language and writing; and apply their understanding by writing original texts.

This will be a team taught module that utilises the expertise of the entire team and will cover a range of texts from different eras, cultural heritages, genres and forms, but all with a local connection to the West Midlands region.

This module aims to integrate the critical reading of creative non-fiction with the student's choice of writing assignment. You will examine theories of self-representation in various forms and cultures and consider past and contemporary markets, publication outlets and trends for creative nonfiction texts. You will be encouraged to explore the possibilities of different forms, genres and sub-genres encompassed in the term of creative non-fiction (e.g. the lyric essay, the graphic memoir, travel writing, nature writing, food writing, true crime, the comedic essay...). Special attention will be paid to narratives that address the complexity of the self in all its different iterations including gender, sexuality, class, race, health and more.

This module introduces you to the principles of drama in performance. Aided by theatre professionals the module takes you through the practicalities and theory of putting on a play: interpretation, staging, directing, producing and acting. Using the Arena Theatre's stage and resources, you'll take key scenes from the page to the stage.

This module will explore a broad and inclusive selection of poetry from different periods of literary history and representing diverse voices, including Black, Asian, and minority ethnic poets from global backgrounds. Using these examples, our emphasis will be on learning techniques for formal analysis (close reading), creative expression (writing poetry), and performance. We will consider aspects of reading, writing, and performing poetry, including form, rhythm and meter, diction, figurative language and sound. We will also consider the development of particular genres (e.g. the ballad, the sonnet) and forms (e.g. blank verse, free verse) over time and across cultures, from the medieval period to the present, with an emphasis on the reader expectations that accrue around poetic forms and genres.

This module will teach students how to read with an eye for technique. It will focus on how writing is structured and the various ways in which authors create compelling narratives. It will address a variety of modes of writing and genres including novels, short stories, poetry, and creative non-fiction, and tap into reading and critical theories. Students will be given the opportunity to experiment creatively within those modes, and reflect on what can be learned from the study of other people's work.

This module offers a critical and creative engagement with literature written for children, designed for Creative Writing and English students. In studying the historical trajectory of children’s literature, students will be encouraged to analyse texts in relation to their cultural, social and gendered contexts, and mindful of the changing politics of childhood as an identity category. What did ‘childhood’ mean in different eras, and what was the literature intended for them meant to do?

This module explores the social, political and philosophical contexts of the English and global Renaissance through its literary culture.

This module aims to integrate the critical reading of horror and speculative fiction with the student's own choice of writing assignment. You will examine theories of representation in various forms and cultures and consider past and contemporary markets, publication outlets and trends for horror and speculative fiction texts. Especial attention will be paid to ways in which the horror and speculative fiction genres can be made more diverse and inclusive by means of addressing contemporary debates around sex, gender, race, class and health through fiction.

How do we think about the outside world, the relationship between our environment, humanity and its living inhabitants? What cultural and philosophical, religious, political and racial attitudes shape the literature of space, and place and do they affect our daily lives? This module examines historical and contemporary cultural attitudes to nature and the environment by examining a range of texts across multiple genres, places, cultures and periods which engage with notions and representations of 'nature', place, the pastoral, cities, development, agriculture, animals, gardening, outdoor leisure, environmentalism, industry, climate change, social justice and the ways in which humans have conceptualised our relationships with the natural world. You will engage with poems, plays, novels, non-fiction, religious texts from multiple traditions, film, television and other media from across the world and throughout history, plus appropriate critical and theoretical work including eco-fiction theory.

This module explores professional approaches to writing scripts for film and television, and gives you the experience of creating and developing a short screenplay. You will be introduced to two common practices for script development: the increasingly common "writer's room" practice; and the scriptwriter/script editor practice.

This module will focus on the key themes, ideas and characteristics of the Gothic genre, situate them in their historical and philosophical context, and attend to the ways in which the representation of the Gothic has developed over the centuries since it first emerged out of the shadows of the Enlightenment. We will begin with John Aikin's 'Sir Bertrand: A Fragment' and end with Helen Oyeyemi's 'White is for Witching' and in between examine a range of literary texts. Close attention will be paid to the ways in which the genre has featured in a range of media and cultural environments, including, visual art, film, music, television and youth subcultures. Topics such as cultural anxieties, the ideology of the sublime, sexual politics, and strategies of subversion will be foregrounded, as will the array of critical perspectives and readings that the Gothic has generated. We also examine the ways in which themes such as gender, class and race intersect with the concern of the gothic tropes that we examine.

Verse-atile - Poetry for Page, Stage and Beyond. Poetry is a constantly changing landscape. These changes are heightened in the light of our digital and multimedia cultures. You'll place your work in this context with this module. The focus on this module is to explore and experiment with new and radical ways of exploring poetic practice. Each week we'll experiment with some of the cutting edge practices in contemporary poetry, and explore different ways of presenting these. You'll study Ekphrastic Poetry, Geopoetry, Conceptual Verse, Hybridity, Film Poetry, Instapoems and Performance Poetry. Each week’s key concept or theme will be used as a way of considering different non-traditional forms. As such, the reading for each week will include a filmpoem, a performance piece and a non-traditional text form, as examples of the theme or concept we’ll explore in that session. Through this you will play with a diverse range of different forms and concepts; expanding and stretching your understanding of poetry, poetics and presentation. You will consider different and non-traditional forms of poetry for the digital age, in the anthropocene, in a hypermodern context. Together, we'll move, on one large project, from concept through to execution - producing sequences of poems Assignment: You will be required to submit a portfolio of work including: a sequence of poems based on one of the forms and concepts studied during the module; an in-class group performance or group filmpoem screening (as part of a public event); a critical reflection that discusses your poetics and considers the relationship between language, form and presentation.

In this module you'll research the readership and style of various magazines, websites (including blog spaces) and organisations, with a view to writing perfectly pitched feature articles. You will learn the varied forms of the feature and get practical experience of working on real-world publication ideas. This practical experience will also include the establishment, design and up-keep of an independent blog space, to provide a working knowledge of journalism/feature writing online. You will also have to produce a professional profile for yourself as a writer. Practical application is emphasised in this module and the assessment is relevant to the current freelance writing industry.

In this module students will develop an understanding of the narrative approaches used in writing crime and psychological thriller fiction. We will also consider the different target groups these works may be written for. Students will analyse examples of crime and thriller fiction, and then use their acquired knowledge of the conventions and possibilities in those genre to create and evaluate examples of their own crime and thriller writing. Throughout the semester, students will be given the opportunity to present work and receive feedback for such work, in both written and verbal form. This will culminate in a portfolio assessment at the end of the semester, where written feedback will again be provided.

This module offers students the opportunity to explore ways of working creatively with region and identity in their writing, particularly with regard to how the former impacts on the latter. It will consider the significance of setting, and the extent to which voice and character can be determined by place. It will create a context in which students can reflect on, and respond creatively to, their own environment as a means of producing original writing in a variety of forms.

The module aims to provide for the initiation of an in-depth individual writing project focussing specifically on the production of a first novel. The module will address some of the issues involved in researching and developing an extended narrative. Students will create the opening of an original novel together with a synopsis of the complete story and an account of how the project might be marketed once complete. Combining both classroom-based teaching, independent study, and tutor supervision, it aims to help students create the kind of documentation required to approach prospective publishers.

The various futures of writing involve a number of emerging practices. Good writers and editors can put their skills to use in a myriad of professional careers, including content writing and editing, book and magazine publishing, corporate communication, podcast writing, video games, publishing, web content development, arts promotion, advocacy, and many others. Although the career opportunities are wide and various for this discipline, all of them assume that practitioners have learned to handle text professionally and can apply key skills in a variety of industry contexts.   In this module, you will learn different writing skills and registers to build your own portfolio as a professional writer. You will become familiar with professional fields such as marketing, content writing, podcasts, video games, journalism, and more. You will also explore other aspects of the professional writing career such as having a writing routine, dealing with rejection, creating professional relationships with agents and publishers, finding a writing community and many more.   Assignments will build your skills in document design, writing in multiple modes and media, usability testing to develop more accessible texts, and ethical considerations for communication in professional settings.  

We live in a time of fraught climate, ecology and nature debates and poetry is taking a centre stage in these discussions. This module is a creative exploration the cutting-edge practices of Geopoetics - The Expression of the Earth. This module will develop your awareness of geological, ecological and geographical debates and concerns and consider how the Earth Sciences can be used in conjunction with poetry. You will be encouraged to offer your own creative voices to the existing poetic conversations about nature, climate and the living world.

This module provides an opportunity to apply academic skills and knowledge to a project negotiated with an external organisation. Students are required to identify, negotiate and research an issue which is relevant to both their academic study and the external organisation. This enables the student to demonstrate an awareness of academic research within an organisational context, together with an understanding of the parameters of research methodologies within an academic framework.

This module provides the opportunity for students to conduct their own research into a negotiated subject of their choice within the areas of English Language Studies or English Literary Studies. It requires students to demonstrate the analytical skills acquired over length of their English degree, including the abilities to construct and sustain an argument, and to support it using evidence.

The Creative and Professional Writing Project enables you to work independently in an area of your choice and under the supervision of an appropriate member of staff, who then serves as the supervisor of that project. It allows you an opportunity to pursue an interest in a given subject/issue related to creative or professional writing or to produce extended creative writings to a greater depth and breadth than before. At the same time, it provides you with the chance to display the skills in organisation and research methods you’ve acquired in previous modules, as well as to demonstrate your mastery of the craft of creative and professional writing.

This module maps, historicises and analyses our rapidly changing experience in the digital age, which confronts us with new and diverging forms of social relationships, identities and changing human behaviour. The module explores how narrative form is changing by paying attention to new modes, media, formats, platforms and reading devices with new temporalities and possibilities, such as literature published via Twitter, gaming narratives, cell phone novels, and new genres such as 'tech thrillers'. We also analyse game narratives.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the Modernist period and the term ‘modernism’ in some of its classifying and critical uses, and to develop and deploy reading skills appropriate to modernist texts across a selection of works.

This module explores the ways postcolonial texts challenge dominant discourses of 'race', gender, sexuality, class, disability, and religion. Students will study a range of texts by authors of colour from Britain, the U.S. and other parts of the world and consider the intersections between different constructions of identities in literature and culture. Postcolonial cultural theory and critical race theory will be central to this module, alongside feminism and disability studies. Guest speakers will contribute towards the module at various points. Alongside the set texts on the module, students will be encouraged to bring literary and cultural texts from their own experiences to the classes, and to feed into the assessment. Students will have the opportunity to work together to produce a digital artefact which communicates their expert knowledge of this topic to audiences beyond academia.

This module draws on a range of texts and cultural practices to addresse the extremes of representation. We will examine some examples of the ‘high’ and ‘low’ cultural texts that are hidden from mainstream society, and those which are rejected by both/either the populace and the academy. Our objects of enquiry will be representational strategies, and their real effects on individuals and on society. Topics may include debates around representations of racism, genocide, disablism, sexual 'deviance', blasphemy, obscenity, political extremism, cancel culture, screen violence, animal rights and wrongs. Students are asked to contribute their own examples of problematic texts and to engage with current and ongoing culture wars. A wide range of theoretical approaches will be applied, including postcolonialism, psychoanalysis, queer theory, cultural materialism, animal studies, disability studies.

This module follows on from 6CW001 Writing the Novel: Planning, Process & Preparation with the unique aim to enable you to continue to develop a longer work of prose at UG level. Since you will have already completed the first 4,000 words of an original novel together with a synopsis of the complete story as part of your 6CW001 submission, this complementary follow-on module will take you beyond those first chapters, enabling you to have the vision of the whole work as you continuing writing towards a mid-way point and/or beyond. This module will, therefore, be completely unique in its pedagogical strategy by tailoring weekly module content according to your collective and individual writing objectives. This will mean a fair percentage of self-directed study to further your creative process and in terms of meeting more personalised learning outcomes. For example, as per your requests, we might focus upon managing the genre balance or ensemble cast storylines; the techniques used in narrative tension for story arcs; instigating subtexts out of contexts. In essence, you will take ownership over your own learning as devised from your own practice. Module teaching will, therefore, be a combination of seminar and workshop, peer review, tutor supervision and peer mentoring, close reading analysis, publication pitches, guest speakers, and self-promotion techniques. You will look to complete the next 4,000 words of your project, including an account of how the project will add to existing canons, and how it may be pitched to prospective publishers.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

What skills will you gain?

• Think critically, reflectively and creatively about writing
• Engage in the comprehension, analysis and appreciation of written texts using a variety of written, oral and digital resources
• Demonstrate key employment skills in self-management, self-discipline, digital literacy, enterprise, group and collaborative work
• Produce artistically coherent, original and technically adept writing demonstrating knowledge and understanding of medium and genre as per the authorial intention
• Articulate both orally and in writing knowledge and understanding of texts, discourse conventions, theories and narrative strategies relevant to the study of creative and professional writing in a multicultural context
• Be able to source, research, assimilate and articulate material relevant to the production of creative and professional writing

Course Fees and Finance

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure , with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

Typical entry requirement: 96 UCAS points

• A Levels - grades CCC / BCD
• BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades MMM
• BTEC L3 Diploma - grades DD
• Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

• If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.
• International entry requirements and application guidance can be found at http://www.wlv.ac.uk/international/apply
• Successful completion of the  International Foundation Year in Social Sciences  guarantees entry on to this course

Other Requirements

Students must usually have studied for a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, we will consider applications from mature students who do not have two years of post-16 study, where they have relevant work experience. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature  for further information.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.

Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment , confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.

Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

01902 32 22 22

[email protected]

Order a prospectus

How We Compare

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses

Full-time Course

Make it happen, related courses, your recently viewed courses recently viewed.

• University Home
• Parsons School of Design
• Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts
• College of Performing Arts
• The New School for Social Research
• Schools of Public Engagement
• Parsons Paris
• Continuing and Professional Education
• Milano School of Policy, Management, and Environment
• School of Media Studies
• Julien J. Studley Graduate Programs in International Affairs
• Creative Writing Program (MFA)
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA)
• Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students

Creative Writing (BA)

Take the next step.

• How to Apply
• Request Information

Admission Events

Explore upcoming webinars and other events for prospective students. Learn more

Admission Contact Office of Undergraduate Admission 72 Fifth Avenue, 1st floor New York, NY 10011 [email protected] 212.229.5150 or 800.292.3040

Program Contact

Joyinn Paulin 66 West 12th Street, room 918  New York, NY 10011 [email protected] Laura Cronk 66 West 12th Street, room 503  New York, NY 10011 [email protected] 212.229.5611 Ext. 2435

Related Links

• Program Blog
• Tuition and Fees
• Funding Opportunities
• Check Application Status
• View Courses
• Download Catalog

Earn a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from a program open to transfer students, adults, and nontraditional undergraduates and connected to a prestigious graduate program. Work with faculty mentors who are themselves acclaimed writers and join a community of ambitious and talented peers. Through writing workshops, literature courses, the Writer's Life Colloquium, and a capstone project, prepare for a career in fields such as editing, publishing, journalism, and new media or graduate work in writing, literature, journalism, media, or cultural studies.

• Degree Bachelor of Arts
• Credits 120 (up to 84 transfer credits)
• Format Full-time or part-time, on campus (some classes available online)
• Start Term Fall or Spring

Creative Writing in New York City

The New School offered the first academic creative writing workshop in 1927 and pioneered a new philosophy of education. The idea: Students would make their own lives and stories part of their education. Today The New School continues to celebrate and cultivate daring and diverse new voices through its highly regarded MFA in Creative Writing program, the Summer Writing Intensive, and the BA in Creative Writing. Students in any major may also apply to The Writing and Democracy Honors Program .

Learn more about the curriculum

Career Paths

The BA in Creative Writing can be a pathway to the worlds of publishing, writing, production, marketing, education, and arts management. Graduates of this program develop careers as working writers, publishing professionals or publishers, editors, and publicists. This program also prepares students to apply to graduate programs in journalism or creative writing, including The New School's MFA in Creative Writing .

Learn from and work with faculty mentors who are themselves acclaimed writers and literary professionals.

• Meet our faculty

The life experience I brought to The New School improved my education — and I think it added to the classroom. The program made me a better student, a better researcher, and a better writer. Ted Kerr , BA Liberal Arts, Alumnus of the Riggio Honors Program

Take The Next Step

• Request Info

Submit your application

Undergraduates.

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

• Open Search box Search box in header Search
• Current Students
• Undergraduate
• Hybrid Admission

B.A. (Hons) in Creative and Professional Writing

JUPAS Code: JS2022

The Creative and Professional Writing Programme of the Hong Kong Baptist University is the first UGC-funded undergraduate programme in Hong Kong tertiary institutions dedicated to creative and professional writing learning in both Chinese and English languages. Apart from cultivating students to write in creative and professional fields, the Creative and Professional Writing Programme also aims to nurture students’ academic potential, cultural dimensions and sense of creativity, and to enhance their professional value.

The Creative and Professional Writing Programme incorporates two distinct characteristics

• Bilingual Teaching and Learning. Students will read, write and speak in Chinese as well as English, developing their skills in both languages. Bilingual ability enables students to respond to Hong Kong’s specific linguistic environment.
• Interdisciplinarity. All the Creative and Professional Writing courses are designed to ensure that students are exposed to the writing demands and strategies of diverse disciplines, including art criticism, language, literature, history, philosophy, media studies, business and science.

Aims of the Creative and Professional Writing Programme

• Provide students with a vigorous curriculum to develop creative and professional writing skills in Chinese and English Languages
• Develop students' abilities when writing professionally in different genres and contexts to enhance students' career opportunities
• Cultivate students to produce original works of fiction, poetry, or nonfiction
• Enhance students' cultural literacy which would act as a solid basis for their creative and professional writing
• Build up their knowledge for self-directed and life-long learning in the world of professional writing and publishing

The Characteristics of the Curriculum

The 60 major units of the Programme consist of 42 units of Required Courses and 18 units of courses from the two Major Electives of English and Chinese writing. The Required Courses provide fundamental learning in writing and concepts in aesthetics, theories and ideas in creativity, and cultural differences, in order to enhance students’ intellectual cognition and skills. Each of the two Major Electives consists of two Modules—one in creative writing and one in professional writing. There are four Modules altogether. Students are required to select at least one course from each of the four Modules, so that they will be trained both in Chinese writing and English writing, and be skilled both in creative and professional writing.

Some of the Required Courses are:

• Writing Seminar: Workshop in Creative Writing
• Professional Writing Practicum: Essentials of the Craft of Writing
• Creativity: Theory and Practice
• Biography Writing
• Editing and Publishing
• Artistic Creativity and Aesthetics Awareness
• Writing Internship
• Writing for New Media
• Food, Wine and Travel Writing for the Leisure Industry

Examples of the Major Elective Courses include:

• Creative Writing in Children’s Literature in English
• Drama Translation
• Chinese Song Lyric Writing
• Writing Diaspora in a Global World
• Writing for Science
• Advertisement Copywriting
• Reading Masterpieces and Writing Your Own
• Modern Chinese Fiction Writing
• Creative Writing: Modern Chinese Poetry
• Special Topic in Creative Writing

Overseas Exchange

HKBU X Tsinghua exchange programme

The HMW Department is an active participant in the university overseas exchange programme. The Department exchange co-ordinator communicates very well with the International Office to promote this event among HMW students. Over the past few years, the Department had more than 15 students going on exchange every year, which is one of the highest at HKBU.  Students went to countries such as U.S.A., Australia, France, Finland, Taiwan, Sweden, Norway, Japan, Korea and the Mainland.

The Creative and Professional Writing Programme has designed a required course “Writing Internship” to create opportunities for students to learn by participating in real-life experiences and working for different institutes. The potential internship opportunities include literary agencies, magazine or book publishers, theatre or film groups, non-profit arts organizations, book reviewers, advertising agencies, websites, etc.

Scholarships

Students of the Creative and Professional Writing Programme can compete for prestigious scholarships provided by the University and other organizations. These include, amongst others, the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Scholarship, HSBC Overseas Scholarship, Li Po Chun Charitable Trust Fund Scholarships, and Providence Foundation Combined Scholarships and Bursaries.

Career Prospects

Not everyone can become a great creative writer, but professional writing always includes a significant creative component. Our society urgently needs writers of all kinds. The professional writing portion of the curriculum, with good infusion of the creative side, can prepare students to work for a great variety of future careers. It goes without saying that graduates with excellent writing skills, both in English and Chinese are of great demand. The Programme not only meets the demand of the market in creative industry, news media, publishing houses, editorship of journals, government offices, non-profit and charity organizations, education sector, etc., but also in the business, industrial, and financial sectors. There would be a strong demand for the graduates of this Programme from the education sector, which increasingly emphasizes a writing education. The interdisciplinary approach would also build a solid foundation for students to pursue postgraduate studies.

Employers are likely to choose someone who graduated with a creative mind and good language and writing skills, because the graduate with a proficiency in languages will take years to cultivate, and a creative mind is in high demand.

  Go to Department's website

CPW unleashed my creative potentials

Ng Chun Yin, Marco (2019), Major in Creative and Professional Writing

"CPW granted me confidence in writing my fancy ideas. Supported with a friendly environment, I am exposed to a broad range of inspiring creative works. CPW unleashed my creative potentials and made my college life extraordinary, very different from a typical one just brimming with a thesis and essays."

Bachelor of Arts in English Professional and Creative Writing

About the English Professional and Creative Writing, BA

In the Professional and Creative Writing major, you will nurture your creative potential and sharpen your writing skills to excel as an accomplished writer, communicator, and professional. Through a blend of workshops, seminars, internship opportunities, and a lot of writing, you will cultivate the skills you need to thrive in today's dynamic job market. We are committed to the idea that with persistence, dedication, and passion, you will make a significant impact on the world through your writing.

Why Study English Professional and Creative Writing at CWU?

In the Creative Writing major, our faculty members are accomplished writers, published authors, and experienced educators.

Through a wide range of genres and forms, including fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and creative nonfiction, you will receive personalized guidance, mentorship, and valuable insights to help you succeed in your creative endeavors.

Where is this program offered?

How much does this program cost.

Explore information on  Cost, Aid, and Value to make an informed decision about investing in your education at CWU.

Where can I find more information?

Please visit the CWU Academic Catalog for current information about admission requirements, course descriptions, learner outcomes, and credit information.

Careers and Opportunities

At CWU, we will help you achieve your goals and make a meaningful impact through your writing.

• Writer or Author: Work as freelance writers, journalists, or novelists, creating content for newspapers, magazines, websites, or books. This is a wonderful job if you are interested in remote work.
• Copywriter: Consider using your skills in advertising, marketing, or public relations, crafting compelling copy for ads, social media, or other marketing materials.
• Technical Writer: Fields like healthcare, engineering, or technology, need skilled writers to create user manuals, technical documentation, or instructional materials.
• Editor: You could work as an editor for publishing houses, literary magazines, or online publications

Take the Next Steps

Visit central.

• Schedule an In-Person Tour
• Explore Campus Virtually

Admissions & Aid

• Apply to CWU
• Cost, Aid, Value

Interested in CWU?

• Request Information

"The English department at CWU equipped me with both the creativity and critical thinking skills necessary to engage the future generation. I was taught the importance of self-reflection and how crucial it is for effective teaching. I now have gained the confidence to be an educator who both understands and can convey the importance of English to students." Haley Cottingham graduated in 2022 with a degree in English Language Arts Teaching.

A Wealth of Scholarships in English

At Central Washington University, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality education, regardless of their financial background. View Department of English Scholarships today. You belong at CWU.

Related Programs

Join a dynamic and vibrant community of artists and a faculty of accomplished professionals in the Art, BA at CWU.

Art Education, BA

Your future as an art educator starts here, and we can't wait for you to teach the next generation of artists.

Questions? Contact Us.

English department.

• [email protected]
• (509) 963-1546

Skip to main content

• Faculties and schools
• Services for business
• How to find us
• Undergraduate study
• Postgraduate study
• International students

Home > Undergraduate study > Undergraduate courses > Creative Writing BA (Hons)

Creative Writing BA (Hons)

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award

Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a TEF Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold , as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.

Why choose this course?

Are you a budding novelist, Netflix screenwriter or experimental poet? On this degree, you'll learn the art and craft of writing in all its forms. Taught by published authors, you'll gain a wide range of skills across creative and non-fiction genres. You'll examine how writing can be used to communicate in a range of contexts, with appropriate uses of style, register and form.

You'll take part in masterclasses by industry professionals and join the thriving community of our specialist Writers' Centre. An extended writing project will be on a subject of your choice. You'll also build a professional portfolio and work on real-life industry projects, giving you vital employment experience to prepare you for a career in writing.

Please note: Teaching on this course may take place on more than one KU campus.

Reasons to choose Kingston

• Many of our graduates have had their work published. Recently, Oyinkan Braithwaite's multi-award winning debut novel My Sister, The Serial Killer , was longlisted for the Booker Prize 2019.
• This course covers a range of formats, including digital writing, fiction and creative non-fiction, poetry, and screenwriting.
• Workshops will allow you to hone your writing craft, while lectures and seminars will give you the tools you need to develop your own creativity.
• To help you master the kinds of writing that interest you most, you can choose to study works of literature or film.

The Art School Experience

As part of  Kingston School of Art , students on this course benefit from joining a creative community where collaborative working and critical practice are encouraged.

Our  workshops and studios  are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.

What you will study

This course is intellectually stimulating and exciting, designed to provide you with opportunities for creative writing across a variety of genres and media, embracing poetry, prose fiction and non-fiction, professional writing, and writing for radio and screen.

You'll work with published writers, academics and industry professionals on writing for digital media, pitches, exhibitions, reviews, and articles.

The course features two distinct pathways. The literature pathway features modules that allow you to explore a variety of literary topics and texts in depth. If your main interests lie in writing for and about film and television, you can elect to take the degree's film pathway, on which you'll study film in depth.

Each level is made up of four modules each worth 30 credit points. Typically a student must complete 120 credits at each level.

Literature Pathway

Film pathway, optional year (both pathways).

In your first year, you'll be introduced to the field of creative writing through a variety of practical workshops and seminars. You'll attend interactive lectures, small-group discussions and individual writing exercises.

In the second year, there is an increasing emphasis on private study and independent writing. You'll develop the appropriate skills, techniques, and practices in order to produce a sustained piece of writing in poetry and fiction.

In your final year, you'll have the opportunity to complete an extended writing project on a subject of your choice, and to work on real-life industry projects, giving you vital employment experience. Through optionality, both at assessment and module level, the programme will enable you to tailor your degree to suit your interests and employment or enterprise goals. Workshops will allow you to hone your writing craft, while lectures and seminars will give you the tools you need to develop your own creativity.

Year 1 core modules

Introduction to creative writing i: the writer's toolkit.

This module centres upon practical work designed to develop the skills appropriate to the undergraduate study of creative writing. These skills will be focused on the following areas: the analysis and use of published writing; language and style; seminar/workshop practice; and habits of writing, self-reflection and revision. The module will investigate how writers think about their craft and the techniques they use to write most effectively in their various mediums. Weekly lectures will be given by practising writers who will introduce students to their own published work as well as that of a wide range of other authors. Students will read, analyse and discuss poems, short stories, plays and essays, and will develop a greater awareness of language and style in writing through a variety of exercises. These workshop exercises will allow students to establish guidelines for constructive participation and encourage co-operation and self-reflection.

Reading London: Drama, Poetry and Prose

This module introduces you to the literature of London, from the rise of Renaissance theatre culture to its fictional futures, and from explorations of its urban heart to its sprawling suburbs. You will investigate how numerous writers have depicted everyday life in the metropolis, as well as social upheaval, crime and injustice. You will consider the emergence of distinct literary cultures in the capital, the ways London's position at the centre of a global empire has shaped its literature, and how writers have in turn represented the experiences of particular groups, for example, social elites, immigrants, women, and children.

The module will also introduce you to some of the most fundamental categories of literature. The module will be organised into three strands: one on drama, one on poetry, and one on prose (fiction and non-fiction). In each strand you will identify the distinctive characteristics of particular forms and genres of literature, and of modes of writing that developed at particular historical moments. Through close study of a range of literary texts we will consider, for instance, what distinguishes tragedy, comedy and realism in drama, how poets have engaged with the sonnet form or the epic, what defines the memoir, and how to explain the differences in narrative style between realist and modernist fiction.

Our weekly interactive lectures will be complemented by study trips to locations across London, which may include a visit to the Globe Theatre, the London Museum or a walking lecture following the route taken by Mrs Dalloway in Virginia Woolf's novel of the same name.  

Writing that Works

This module will introduce students to Future Skills through engagement with the Navigate programme. It will enable students to begin to develop their professional identity and global citizenship, by promoting their understanding of ethical issues and values, design thinking, and commercial awareness. These concepts and associated activities will support students to plan their own personal and professional development, as a means of developing their creative practice. This will be supported through active engagement with the Navigate programme, and through personal development planning (supported by Personal Tutors), which will enable students to reflect upon their Future Skills graduate attributes. It will also enable students to reflect on and begin to evidence their understanding of the skills.

The module provides students with the opportunity to read and examine examples of writing in a range of academic literary and non-literary forms and to employ that knowledge via practical application by composing original writing in these forms. Students will then seek to obtain feedback from peers, module tutors and personal tutors, and respond to that feedback by producing further writing they then edit and submit in the studio hours and personal tutorial sessions.

The module is arranged into two strands: writing for ‘work' and reading for writers. Initially, in weekly lecture-workshops, students will explore what makes for successful writing in different contexts and, in weekly studio hours, will practice writing effectively in various modes and to different briefs. In the second strand, the module uses a range of texts to equip students with the terminology and techniques to analyse with confidence and reflect on various kinds of successful writing, including their own. 

The module equips students with the terminology and techniques to analyse with confidence various kinds of writing, including their own. In weekly lecture-workshops, students will explore what makes for successful writing in different contexts and, in weekly studio hours, will practice writing effectively in various modes and to different briefs.

Authorship and Audience

This module introduces students to theories around concepts of authorship and audience, exploring these ideas within a broader cultural context that includes literature, television, fan culture and video games. It invites students to apply their learning in practical and imaginative ways, through assessments that encourage diverse forms of creative writing, in addition to more traditional essays.

The module is divided into halves, one focused on authorship and the second on audience; in turn, each teaching block falls into two distinct sections, each with a writing workshop where theoretical ideas are creatively explored.

Teaching Block 1 begins with an introduction to theories of authorship in cinema and their origins in literature – the ‘camera-pen'. The second half of the semester examines a contemporary director and invites students to apply the theories they have learned to this more recent case study, before introducing ‘the death of the author' (Barthes) and the ‘author-function' (Foucault). These ideas lead us towards a focus on audience interpretation, rather than authorial intention.

Teaching Block 2 opens with a survey of approaches to audience, from the Frankfurt School, World War Two propaganda and the ‘hypodermic' model through the ‘uses and gratifications' theories of the 1950s to the cultural studies of Stuart Hall and the Birmingham School. It then explores the study of fandom to question whether fan culture celebrates or subverts dominant forms.

Writing workshops in both Teaching Blocks provide the opportunity for students to adapt a story into a script, demonstrating their knowledge of a specific director's authorial style; to develop a pitch for a new movie; to devise an audience study in the style of the 1940s, 1950s or 1960s approaches; and to apply auto-ethnography to their own fandom. Assessments are innovative and involve traditional essays, presentations, and creative scripts with critical commentaries, including the opportunity to submit video essays.

Year 2 core modules

Independent research studies.

This is a dissertation-style module, taught through a combination of small-group sessions and individual tutorials, in which students will have the opportunity to work on a sustained creative writing project of their choosing. They will produce a substantial piece of writing in a chosen form, having undertaken contextual reading in that form and engaged in other research as appropriate, such as location scouting, conducting interviews, or visiting archives and specialist collections. Through group workshops and presentations, as well as one-on-one tutorials, students will receive constructive feedback and guidance on how to plan, structure, write, revise, and edit their projects, and gain advice in developing the skills and habits necessary to working independently. In addition, students will learn how to plan strategies for the possible dissemination and promotion of their projects in the world outside the university, as professional authors would, such as through various methods of publication or performance. By learning to work independently and by planning the dissemination and promotion of their projects, students will acquire the entrepreneurial skills and abilities necessary for success in self-employment and in other professions.

Content, Form and Creativity

On this module, students will have the opportunity to progress their creative writing skills by exploring the relationship between theory and practice. They will also explore the connection between language, form, creativity, and style. Students will be presented with a range of theoretical and contextual approaches to the production and analysis of imaginative work, and will be invited to respond to these provocations through critical and creative writing.

Students will attend interactive lectures whose themes may include adaptation, narrative techniques for literary authors, history and narrative, identity and aesthetics, and mind style etc. Students will learn more advanced practical techniques for crafting expressive, imaginative work, which will allow them to make more sophisticated use of aspects such as voice, point of view, structure, character, imagery, and tone.

Workshops will draw on the language-based disciplines of linguistics, stylistics and narratology to explore the relation between content, form and creativity. The module will entail the reading, critical analysis and discussion of texts by a variety of classic and contemporary authors, whose work reflects the diverse range of styles, influences and approaches at work today. Students can choose to experiment with writing the novel, short story, script for radio, stage or screen, or poetry.

Students will be asked to provide thoughtful, constructive feedback through peer review. Along with developing their own personal sense of voice and style, students will practise applying skills learned on the module to real-world situations faced by professional authors, such as writing a piece for a commission or for a target audience.

Year 2 option modules

Transforming realities: innovation and social change in twentieth century and contemporary literature.

This module is an optional period module at Level 5. It will begin by exploring literature published from the 1930s through to the present day, and will examine the strategies writers have used in response to a changing Britain and wider world. We will consider how twentieth and twenty-first-century texts adapt realist, modernist and postmodern techniques to engage with issues such as the rise of mass culture, the threat of totalitarianism, the establishment of the Welfare State, post-war immigration, and sexual liberation. To enhance your perspective on these issues, you will be introduced to non-fiction material by other contemporary writers, such as J.B. Priestley, Erich Fromm, Iris Murdoch, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Richard Hoggart, and George Lamming, as well as more recent critical and theoretical material.  The module also examines the development and continuing popularity of realist drama in the twentieth century. We will pay particular attention to the ways in which realist drama is used as a tool of social and political examination in the various contexts of pre-Revolutionary Russia, Dublin in the aftermath of the First World War, and the establishment of the welfare state in Britain after 1945. Secondly, we will examine the developments in non-realist forms of drama and the experiments which gave rise to what is, somewhat controversially, called the 'Theatre of the Absurd'. The module culminates with the study of a selection of texts chosen to illustrate the great variety of genres and styles in contemporary British literature and to exemplify literature written by different nationalities and social groups. Underpinned by relevant theoretical perspectives, questions will be raised about the relation between literature and contemporary events, with relation to issues pertinent to literature, such as social mobility, hybridity, democracy and technology. In recent years, authors studied have included Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, George Orwell, Sylvia Plath, Harold Pinter, Alan Hollinghurst, and Zadie Smith.

Screenwriting

Film is often seen as a director's medium, rather than a writer's. This course doesn't debate the relative claims of either – it retains a strong commitment to the visual – but its primary focus is on the construction of script and, in particular, the screenplay of the mainstream narrative film.

The cornerstone of the module is an exploration of what makes an effective screen story through analysis of dramatic structure. The tutors on this module, both experienced screenwriters, contend that all genres of screen narrative use essentially the same core principles of storytelling and that an understanding of how these principles work is a creative tool: we can use them to create our own stories and adapt them to different forms. First, through close study of several successful films – focusing in particular on structure and character – you will be taught the contribution of the screenplay to how a film is constructed and why it succeeds. Second, with particular emphasis on dialogue and the craft of visual storytelling, we will guide you to the creation and completion of your own short screenplay, providing you with models (in both film and script form) from a selection of short films, and teaching you how to present and format your script.

Students will be invited to demonstrate their knowledge of structure and screenwriting craft in analysis of a feature film. In TB2 they will pitch an original idea for a screen narrative before developing their own screenplay.

Sex and the City: From Victorian Metropolis to Modernist Wasteland

This module is an optional period module at Level 5. We will study key texts from the nineteenth to early twentieth centuries that register the ways in which Britain is transformed by the Industrial Revolution, and which give expression to fears about technology, social mobility and urban culture. We will consider literature of the period that questions and resists established theories of gendered identity, and which challenges the literary representation of sexuality, defying censorship in the process. We will be introduced to writers who engage with contemporary debates about science, religion, the empire, and racial and national identity. And we will encounter a range of consciously modern texts which dislocate and make new the reader's experience by technical innovation and experiment. In recent years, writers studied have included Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, George Eliot, T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and Virginia Woolf.

Adaptations

This module examines the adaptation, as both industrial process and creative practice, of various kinds of cultural works into other forms. The first half of the module focuses on cinematic adaptations of works of fiction. Through a series of case studies students will explore the history of cinematic adaptation and key ideas through which adaptation has been framed, including fidelity, medium specificity, authorship and intertextuality. The second half of the module examines more diverse types of adaptation: literary engagements with previously published works of fiction; adaptions of comics and theatrical works to screen; and the more recent transports between video games, fiction and television. Students explore the commercial, creative and political imperatives that shape such adaptations, as well as the reasons for why some cultural texts and forms remain unadapted or have been deemed unadaptable. Whereas the first half of the module is assessed by a critical essay, the second half is examined via a creative project, which may take the form of an adapted screenplay and critical commentary, a commercial proposal to adapt an overlooked text, or a reworking of a previously published literary text.

Final Year core modules

Professional communication.

This module is a capstone for the Creative Writing degree. The module asks students to synthesise knowledge developed across the programme, and to articulate and apply this knowledge in professional contexts.

In the first part of the module, supported by industry professionals drawn from the programmes Industry Advisory Board, skills workshops, Kingston's Careers and Employability Service activities, and online training provision, students will develop an individually-designed digital professional portfolio that will communicate their creative talents and broader transferable skills.

In the second part of the module, students will work in small groups as miniature creative agencies on live professional briefs commissioned by industry professionals, developing both their writing and transferable skills in real work scenarios.

Dissertation

The dissertation is a core module for all students. Under guidance from an allocated specialist member of staff, and supported by interactive workshops, you will produce a sustained piece of research, either in the form of a traditional 10,000-word dissertation or in the form of creative project and accompanying 3,000-word rationale. The module culminates in a student conference. You will work with your peers to organise this, and your contribution to it will also be assessed. An initial dissertation proposal must be submitted in September before the module begins. At the end of the module, you will have produced a critically engaged and fully developed piece of independent research.

Final Year option modules

Box set drama: writing for television.

This is the module that can make you rich! On terrestrial and digital platforms, in both drama and comedy, the returning drama series remains TV's holy grail, pulling viewers in for episode after episode, season after season, box set after box set. For producers and writers – and the ‘showrunners' who are both – a returning series can be a goldmine. So how do these TV blockbusters get made? What makes them successful? And could you write one?

Taught by two highly experienced professionals, Box Set Drama is a practical and creative module which explores how a returning drama or comedy series is conceived and constructed – and gives you the tools to write one. Through close study of a few successful shows (and some not so successful), you will learn how to structure a series, build characters and stories, hook an audience, and dramatise action for the screen. Building from concept to treatment to script, with the aid of practical exercises and regular feedback, you will then develop a pitch for your own original show, aimed at the current television market. If you are keen to understand screen narrative and genre, find out how television drama works and explore writing for a visual medium, this module is for you. You will be taught basic principles of scriptwriting and storylining and, after two stimulating and entertaining semesters, will have generated a pitch and supporting portfolio for your own idea, written to industry standards.

Special Study: Innovations in Poetry and Prose

This module will cover the study of a number of different kinds of poetry and prose, with a focus on innovations in contemporary literature. It will examine some of the 20th- and 21st-century movements that have informed, and continue to influence, contemporary poetry and prose. These include modernism, dada, surrealism, sound poetry, visual poetry, constraint-based writing, the nouveau roman and "language" poetry, as well as the aesthetic and stylistic theories underpinning them (for instance, in manifestos and essays about poetry written by the poets and writers themselves).

Attention will be given to the contextual aspects of poetry and prose, as well as the content. The course will explore the reasons poets and writers innovate, the reasoning for experimentation and the ways in which poets and writers shape and structure poems and prose, exploring the nature of sound and language itself. The content of such works will be explored, which may involve non-traditional subject matter or interactions with other art forms, such as music or the visual arts, and their theoretical underpinning too (literary, social, theoretical, historical, stylistic). Analysis of the works studied will be reinforced by practical exercises and assignments designed to enable students to understand these concepts in relation to their own creative work, and to offer them the opportunity to experiment with their own writing and poetry.

Students will make poetry and prose portfolios and/or recorded readings which they can use as part of their writing CV, and which may be featured in the end-of-year Awards and Achievement Show.

Special Study: Narrative Techniques in Popular Fiction

This challenging and interesting special study module aims to provide you with the opportunity to engage with different examples of popular fiction such as crime fiction, romance, the thriller, and science fiction. It will enable you to identify the standard practices of popular genres and understand why they succeed or fail in particular texts. It will encourage you in the critical study of narrative techniques to best learn how to apply them in a work of popular fiction. You will experiment in writing crime, SF, thriller and romance stories before choosing one or two of these genres to take through to your final submission. All this will be put into the context of more general and transferable lessons to be learnt in the art of compelling storytelling.

For each genre studied you will read two core novels, plus a more general theoretical text on narrative construction. The module is lead by a writer of four published crime/thrillers.

Gender and Sexuality

This module traces how literature from the 19 th century to the present has concerned itself with questions of gender identity and sexuality, often offering a radical voice for those - including both women and LGBTQ+ voices - excluded from dominant and mainstream discourses. Rooted in feminist and queer theory, we will explore how feminist writing has critiqued patriarchy, how literature has challenged normative gender roles, how it has engaged with powerful questions regarding the body and the politics of desire, and how it has represented the debates within different facets of the feminist and queer community. We will also consider how writers have employed literary form and genre - for example the use of experimental writing, dramatic or poetic form, or the romance genre - and to what extent debates surrounding these forms and genre contribute to a gendered politics of cultural production. Explicitly intersectional in its approach, we will frame our discussions with an interrogation of how the politics of gender and sexuality is shaped by its relationship with questions of class, race, disability, and religion. Examples of authors studied might include Jeanette Winterson, Fleur Adock, Carol Ann Duffy, Tony Kushner, Clare Macintyre, Leila Aboulela, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Virginia Woolf.

Making Shakespeare: Text, Performance and Adaptation

This optional Level 6 module allows you to pursue Shakespeare studies at an advanced level and is founded upon a detailed and extensive study of the writer and his works. Consideration will be given to a range of critical approaches to Shakespeare as well as the long history and dynamic status of Shakespeare in performance and adaptation, for example in relation to questions of gender, identity and globalisation. You will be encouraged to reflect upon the role of Shakespeare in culture now as well as relevant contemporary contexts such as the nature of early modern theatregoing alongside crucial political and religious conditions. Teaching on the module will be closely aligned with the rich resources available at the Rose Theatre and in particular will afford you the opportunity to participate in the stimulating series of talks and events organised as part of the Kingston Shakespeare Seminar (KiSS).

Black and Asian Writing

This module examines the rich and dynamic presence of black and Asian writing in English from the mid-17th century to the present. It will explore the ways in which black and Asian writers have produced formally innovative and conceptually challenging responses to questions of race, class, gender and identity, while simultaneously making significant creative contributions to the fields of drama, prose, poetry, and life-writing. In the first half of the module, students will study a range of early texts from the mid-17th century to the 19th century from writers such as Equiano and Mary Seacole, alongside contemporary works that have reflected on black culture during this period, while the second half of the module turns to 20th century and contemporary texts by writers such as Zadie Smith, Andrea Levy, and Salman Rushdie contextualised by appropriate critical and cultural theories from thinkers such as Paul Gilroy and Stuart Hall.

Radical Writers

Salman Rushdie, Mary Wollstonecraft, Geoffrey Chaucer, Audre Lorde, Charlotte Bronte, Chinua Achebe, Mary Shelley, John Milton, Lawrence Sterne, Gertrude Stein, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison...the list is endless. At every point in literary history there are writers who break the mould and challenge the status quo. Whether it is through writing epics that endure through centuries, addressing the injustices of the time or challenging the very notion of what a novel, poem or a play can do, writers can be radical in a number of exciting ways. This module looks at works by radical writers in depth, studying one famous text in detail by a range of writers from different time periods and taught by lecturers who are experts in these writers. We will look at the context of each text as well as the way the text is written, determining why these radical writers have been so successful and looking at the effects their texts have had on the world around them. We will look at the idea of the literary 'canon', made up of writers who have been radical in some way, and consider the way that this idea can be challenged, reinvigorated or refreshed.

In your first year, you'll be introduced to the field of creative writing through a variety of practical workshops and seminars. You'll attend interactive lectures, small-group discussions and individual writing exercises. You'll also be introduced to the history of cinema and key ideas in the study of film.

In the second year, there is an increasing emphasis on private study and independent writing. You'll develop the appropriate skills, techniques, and practices in order to produce a sustained piece of writing in poetry and fiction. Your explorations of film with take on an increasingly international focus.

In your final year, you'll have the opportunity to complete an extended writing project on a subject of your choice, and to work on real-life industry projects, giving you vital employment experience. You will produce advanced-level writing for and about film and television.

From Pre-Cinema to Post-Cinema

This module takes students from the pre-history of film, and its 19 th  century origins in photography, science and optical toys, through to the post-digital, multi-platform era of the 21 st . Encompassing both Hollywood and key cinema movements from around the world, the module will explore the development of cinema in relation to its surrounding culture. It looks at how technological and economic changes shaped film throughout its history, and how it evolved into its current form.

Global Visions: History, Theory and Cultures of International Cinema

Film is a representational medium at both an iconographic and narrative level. Through an in-depth analysis of visual and narrative strategies, this module will explore film as a signifying system that creates complex and richly suggestive meanings that mediate our understanding of the wider world through universal mythical and archetypical structures. Drawing on approaches pioneered in disciplines as various as literary studies, philosophy, history, and cultural studies, the module aims to demonstrate how films synthesize these ideas in complex and innovative ways. Viewing film and visual culture as embedded in society and politics, the course will explore how ideological concepts are embodied in cultural forms, and explore how these forms can also offer counterpoints to dominant ways of thinking through a broad set of approaches to cinematic narratives, ranging across genres and geographies. It will consider therefore how  different regional/national and cultural/industrial circumstances have determined visual traditions across a range of cultural contexts.

Final year core modules

Power and the image.

The module explores the relationship between politics and the image, from a range of critical approaches including post-colonialism, post-modernism, and post-humanism. We look at a range of films that run counter to dominant discourses in relation to race, gender, sexuality and the body, including mainstream and European cinema, science fiction and neo-noir.

This degree is also available with a sandwich option. Students selecting this route will be supported by the placements office in finding a suitable work placement.

You can also study abroad or take a work placement in your second year at locations in Europe, the United States, and Australia.

Please note

Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

Foundation year – Humanities & Arts

You can also study this course with a Foundation year.

Future Skills

Knowledge to give you the edge.

Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.

As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.

At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2025.

UCAS tariff points: 112-128 for BA (Hons); 64 for BA (Hons) including foundation year.

Level 3 qualifications, English Language/Literature, Creative Writing or similar subjects (A-levels, BTEC Diploma, Access Diploma, IB Diploma, etc.). Grade C required.

General Studies/Native Language accepted when one of three A-levels or equivalent.

Typical offer 2024

Additional requirements.

Entry on to this course does not require an interview, entrance test, audition or portfolio.

International

All non-UK applicants must meet our English Language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no element below 5.5.

Make sure you read our full guidance about  English language requirements , which includes details of other qualifications we consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements could be eligible to join our  pre-sessional English language course .

Applicants from recognised  majority English-speaking countries (MESCs)  do not need to meet these requirements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country-specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

• Middle East

Typical offer and UCAS points explained

Like most universities, we use the UCAS Tariff point system for our course entry requirements.

Find out more about UCAS Tariff points  and see how A-level, AS level, BTEC Diploma and T-level qualifications translate to the points system.

Teaching and assessment

Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.

It may also include critiques, project work, studio practice and performance, digital labs, workshops, and placements.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

Outside of the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.

Academic support

Our  academic support team  here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor . This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.

Your workload

A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.

One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.

• Year 1: 22.17% scheduled learning and teaching
• Year 2:  18.52% scheduled learning and teaching
• Year 3: 17.56% scheduled learning and teaching

The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.

Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.

How you will be assessed

Types of assessment.

• Year 1: Coursework 100%
• Year 2: Coursework 100%
• Year 3: Coursework 100%

Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 20 students and lecture sizes are normally 10-30. However this can vary by module and academic year.

Who teaches this course?

Many of the Creative Writing teaching team are published authors, with extensive experience and professional links: they will help you to develop your skills, networks and gain access to industry contacts. Their expertise and knowledge is closely matched to the content of the modules on this course. 

Academic teaching is supported by visiting speakers and guest lecturers who enhance your learning. You'll also attend recitals, readings and poetry festivals through Writers' Centre Kingston.

Mr Albert Pellicer

Course leader.

Dr Adam Baron

Admissions tutor.

Dr Meg Jensen

Mr Oludiran Adebayo

Dr Paul Booth

Dr Simon Brown

Dr Martin Dines

Mr Steven J. Fowler

Dr Marina Lambrou

Dr Karen A Lipsedge

Dr James Miller

Dr Patrick O'Neill

The campus at Penrhyn Road is a hive of activity, housing the main student restaurant, the learning resources centre (LRC), and a host of teaching rooms and lecture theatres.

At the heart of the campus is the John Galsworthy building, a six-storey complex that brings together lecture theatres, flexible teaching space and information technology suites around a landscaped courtyard.

Fees and funding

2025/26 fees for this course.

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26  the fees for this course are:

For courses with a sandwich year, the  fee for the placement year  can be viewed on the  undergraduate fees table . The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

2024/25 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2024/25 the fees for this course are:

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught international fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has recently announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies from the 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting after 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

Need to know more?

Our undergraduate fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan . You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Field trips

There may be optional study visits and field trips. These range from £25 for local trips to various costs for international trips.

After you graduate

Graduates from this course go on to work in creative writing, digital media, curation, public relations, journalism, publishing, communications, teaching and the civil service. Some of our alumni have become published authors.

Student success

Oyinkan's novel, My Sister, The Serial Killer , was reviewed in The New Yorker and featured on BBC Radio 4's Front Row and Open Book programmes, shortlisted for the prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction and longlisted for the Booker Prize 2019. 

"Kingston University was one of very few places offering the unique combination of Creative Writing and Law. I loved the general vibe of Kingston: it gave me the movement and ease of city life but without the usual chaos. I enjoyed the various modules on the course and liked the lecturers, who were easily accessible and happy to work with you in order to help you achieve your best grade."

Oyinkan Braithwaite studied Creative Writing

96% of our creative writing students were employed or in further education six months after graduation.

Our creative writing graduates have all been highly successful in securing work after completing their courses.

Based on data from the DLHE (2015)

Liam Livings was listed for the Romantic Novelists' Association Award for his novel Adventures in Dating … In Heels in the Books and the City Romantic Comedy Novel category. Liam said, ‘I didn't win, but just having a novel about a cross dressing gay man looking for love in the '90s felt like something good.

Liam Livings, who studied BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Links with business and industry

The Creative Writing degree has been developed as part of a major project in professional writing run by Writers' Centre Kingston which includes the development of online learning, short courses, and industry forums.

As part of this project, you'll have unique access to masterclasses involving our creative partners, which include individuals from companies including Macmillan Publishers, The Creative Society, PwC, Greene & Heaton literary agency and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. These partners will offer workshops and guest lectures.

As part of the major project, you'll undertake a piece of professional standard work in response to a live brief set by an employer, giving you valuable professional experience to prepare you for a career in writing.

Key information set

The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course.  Course changes explained .

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course  can be found on our website.

Related courses

Journalism and Media BA (Hons)

Journalism BA (Hons)

• Order a prospectus
• How to apply
• Information for applicants
• Why choose Kingston University
• Disability and mental health support
• Accommodation
• Undergraduate fees
• Fees, funding and payments
• Access, participation and inclusion
• Website accessibility
• Website feedback
• Freedom of Information
• Wider Information Set
• Privacy Notice
• Charitable status

Kingston University , Holmwood House, Grove Crescent, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE . Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 9000

BA(Hons) Creative &  Profess ional​ Writing

Fusing Traditional and emerging forms of communication, our course prepares you for a career in the rapidly evolving discipline of Creative & Professional Writing. Created out of our extensive experience of English and Literature Education, Bodmin College is delighted to be partnering with Falmouth University in the development of our BA Creative  & Professional Writing course. This course is taught by Bodmin College and awarded by Falmouth University.

Realise your writing potential

Realise your potential as a creative, professional writer in a climate of constructive challenge and personalised support, all set against the inspirational Cornish landscape.

Crafting your Career

Our course is focused on the individual learner and our unique adaptivity when it comes to allowing you to develop the skills essential to crafting your personalised career. 

Learning from professionals

Throughout the three years, you will be working with a range of professionals including experienced lecturers, respected academics, published authors, small press publishers and acclaimed poets and script writers.

Inspiration from your surroundings

You will be based within the thriving community of Bodmin; the location affords you ample opportunity, not just for inspiration, but also to develop an appreciation for the important role that creative writing is afforded within the local culture.

Why Creative & Professional Writing at Bodmin College?

Writing in beautiful Cornwall has never been more appealing, more exciting or more appropriate to our time. Based right in the heart of our county’s inspiring landscapes, Bodmin College is delighted to be expanding our degree program to include Creative & Professional Writing.  A degree designed to inspire and unleash your potential for a new vocation, we aim to offer a personal and responsive course that, due to its size, is able to offer tailored support to applicants from all stages of their creative journey.  Our unique relationship with the local community allows us to offer both academic support and development with regards to skill, as well as practical and useful connections with a view to launching a new career, should that be your desired goal.  Learn how to craft your art and reshape your future, all in an idyllic Cornish setting. 

Your Course Team

Staff teaching you may include:

Helen Stevenson

Creative & Professional Writing  Course Leader

Mark Talbot

HE Programmes Lead

Ruth Saberton

Creative & Professional Writing Lecturer

Our Visiting Lecturer Team

Our Visiting lecturers visit weekly throughout the academic year

Brett Harvey 

Writer and Director

Deborah Wardle

Comedy Writer  and Voice Artist

Lamorna ireland

Cornish Author  and Blogger

Writer and Performer

Course Overview

The course is delivered through a range of lectures, seminars, workshops with visiting authors and individual tutorials.

3 Years Study  at Bodmin College

3 Years 

Qualification

Who we are looking for.

As part of the course, you’ll be joining a pioneering group of writers seeking to bring professional writing to the fore in this unique setting within a dynamic Cornish community.  Our centre is designed specifically to facilitate ins​piration from both a natural and social stimulus.  Working closely in a unique partnership with our Digital Media Centre, we offer collaboration which reflects the diverse and ever changing modern landscape of creative writing as a discipline.  

PROFESSIONAL WRITING

As part of the course, you’ll be joining a pioneering group of writers seeking to bring professional writing to the fore in this unique setting within a dynamic Cornish community.  Our centre is designed specifically to facilitate inspiration from both a natural and social stimulus. 

Advanced Exploration

Working closely in a unique partnership with our Digital Media Centre, we offer collaboration which reflects the diverse and ever changing modern landscape of creative writing as a discipline.  Our students are makers; they learn through creating and crafting with a view to real world applications.  Supported by workshops and creative seminars, you’ll be introduced to a wide variety of narrative aspects and genres.   Whether you are progressing from A level or returning to education, your degree will be a collaboration which allows you to explore your individual passions, supported by an in depth knowledge of all the key principles that will allow you to thrive. 

Fresh Thinkers

We are looking for fresh thinking contributors and we welcome applications from diverse educational backgrounds. Students with a passion for writing and literature as well as poets, dramatists, gamers and artists are at home in our dynamic, multi-disciplined degree course. We look for students who are excited by collaboration and experimentation, fusing traditional writing and digital development to shape new forms of communication.  Programs are designed to give students a way to grow artistically at a more leisurely pace.

The Modules that make up our BA(Hons) Creative & Professional Writing*

* Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader. On average you should allow for between 40-50 hours per week for your studies of which approximately 40% will be taught and 60% will be self-study.

Year 1 Modules

You will study the building blocks of creative writing including the core elements of narrative and our contemporary culture of publishing. You will be exposed to a wide range of culturally relevant literature to stimulate discussion and reflection as you begin to develop your writing technique.   You will be taught through a range of lectures, workshops and tutorials.  

Study Block 1

Core elements of narrative  (20 credits).

An introductory creative writing module examining the basic construction of a narrative. [assessed by creative piece with commentary] 

Literature as a Stepping Stone  (20 credits)  

A literature module which introduces texts of all kinds, critical theory and key academic skills (inc essay writing). [assessed by a critical essay and a creative piece]  

Rhetoric  (20 credits)   

This module seeks to establish the basics of rhetoric and persuasive writing in an increasingly completive world.  Through an initial focus on its origins and evolution, we will examine the construction and impact of copy writing as an increasingly productive outlet for today’s creative writers. [assessed by essay]

Study Block 2

Building a world   (20 credits).

Building on our core elements module, Building a World extends our focus to examine the impact of character and setting and offers an opportunity to apply this in independent work. [CW portfolio assessment]

Experimenting with Form and Genre (20 credits)  

A creative and exploratory module building on your understating of different mediums used for creative outlet, covering poetry, drama and creative non-fiction. [assessed by a critical essay and a creative piece]  

A Writer’s Platform   (20 credits)   

An introductory publishing module which covers publishing structures and cultures, cultural theory, and examines the evolution of modern publishing methods with particular focus on digital publishing. [assessed by essay]  

Year 2 Modules

In year two, you'll improve your literary skills further through the study of essential genres which allow you to experience a topical sample of the fields that make up creative writing.  Here you are afforded the opportunity to shape an increasingly specialised career path.  On top of developing your own traditional texts, you’ll have the chance to learn skills for media like digital, radio and voiceover, thus increasing the practical opportunities for writing in a professional capacity.

Copy and Context  (20 credits)   

This module examines the intertextual and multidisciplinary aspect of creative copy writing, with a view to developing skills to succeed in the contemporary market. [assessed by portfolio and proposal]

Trending Texts  (20 credits)   

A theory based literature module which examines trends in contemporary fiction to contribute to your evolving style as an independent writer. [assessed by case study and critical reading journal].

Drama and Poetry for a modern audience  (20 credits)

An exploration of writing and theory.  This module includes both critical reading and creative projects to evolve your skill in a range of disciplines. [CW portfolio assessment]

Collaborative Digital Writing Project (40 credits)   

Blogging, Social-Media, Podcasts and the most up to date media forms. This is a practical module based on live briefs and content curation (Wide range of affiliated projects). [Project and reflective essay]

Creative Project  (20 credits)  

Building on our drama and poetry module, this project affords you the opportunity to develop your preferred form as part of an evolving portfolio. [CW portfolio]

Year 3 Modules

The final year allows you to put all you have learned to practical use as you begin the transition from study to career. You will be working on two major 40 credit modules, which are both designed to afford you the opportunity to develop positive relationships with professionals in the local writing community.   Your collaborative project is an opportunity for you to develop a uniquely personal project focussed on a real-world collaboration within the Cornish writing community. You will be supported in making connections and developing a productive collaboration that allows you practical experience within the industry.   The creative project allows you to create a sustained piece of work that represents the culmination of your progress as a writer; this piece you can continue with post-graduation. 

Creative Project    (40 Credits) 

A 10,000 word dissertation or portfolio 

Context is All     (20 credits)   

Advanced study of literary genres that engage with the political discourse of the period.  [assessed by essay]

Collaborative Project   (40 credits)   

Substantial real world collaborative project [portfolio]

Literary Tourism   (20 credits)  

Working with partners of the college, this module examines the Cornish tourist industry and explores the practical role of creative writing in this context. [case study and critical essay]

BA(Hons) Creative & Professional Writing  Tuition fees for 2024 to 2025 for UK/EU students are £8250 * 

* Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The College may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs’ If you're from the EU/EEA and want to find out whether you qualify for 'home fee'  please read the full guidance on the UK Government's website.  Go to Government's website Additional course expenditure is likely to include: • A Laptop – It doesn’t matter which platform (Apple or Windows, though a mac can run windows software through Boot Camp). It should have 16GB RAM, at least a 500GB hard drive plus. Buy as fast a processor as you can afford. Approximate cost £500.  £200 - £300 - Recurring annual costs £50- £70 per module for associated course materials. Many modules will have lower costs than these indicated. £50 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration. If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.  

Important Information

Important information pertaining to your studies, and the regulations that govern your studentship, can be found on Falmouth University's website here. In particular, you should note the 'Student Terms & Conditions', 'Academic Regulations', 'Student Code of Conduct', and 'Academic Integrity Policy'.

If you are dissatisfied with the level of service that you have received with Bodmin College and wish to make a complaint, please read and follow the Bodmin College Complaints Policy and Procedure, which can be found on  Falmouth University's website here. University's Academic Calendar for study block/term dates can be found on Falmouth Universities website 

So you are ready to apply?

We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview  to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field.  Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.      As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma. Check how many points your qualifications are worth

BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing

Our Course information on UCAS

OUR MAIN OFFICE

Bodmin College  Lostwithiel Road Bodmin, Cornwall PL311DD

phone number

01208 72114

Helen Stevenson Course Leader [email protected]

Get in touch

We are here, mon-fri 8:30am- 5pm / phones are open 24/7.

English: Creative and Professional Writing BA (Hons) -->

Apply online.

If you are applying for this course from outside the UK, click apply now

Course starts: 16 September 2024 Apply now

If you are applying for the full time course from within the UK click apply now 

Explore and develop your own creative talent. Acquire skills in pitching, presenting and networking. Work with established organisations and develop your portfolio for a varied and fulfilling writing career.

This BA (Hons) degree in English: Creative and Professional Writing enables you to understand writing as a profession while exploring and developing your own creative talent. You'll be supported by published writers and senior academics to hone your writing and apply your knowledge to literary, technical and professional work. You'll acquire skills in pitching, presenting and networking and learn about a range of industries where writers are in high demand.

If you're interested in taking your writing further into a range of creative industries such as publishing, the literary arts – including novel writing, poetry and nonfiction – as well as in the media, script and screen writing, marketing, communications and other related activities, this course is for you.

You'll learn from experts in their field who will connect you to creative institutions and networks both regionally and nationally as you gain expertise in creative and professional writing. You’ll have the chance to work with established organisations as well as develop your portfolio for a varied and fulfilling writing career, and take part in the Sunderland Creative Writing Festival and the renowned Sunderland Literature Festival.

At each stage of the course, you'll study modules such as Submitting Short Fiction and Poetry, Regional Writing, Environmental Writing and The Business of Writing, alongside English Literature and English Language core learning to develop essential knowledge and critical skills. 

• The course prepares you to work professionally as a writer in a range of communications industries or as a freelance creative writer, while ensuring you gain a solid foundation in English Language and Literature
• Get your work out there from day one through the mediaHUB , a bustling multimedia newsroom that helps students tell strong stories and create great content
• Various field trips to exciting literary spots as well as to offices and communities of writers across the region
• Guest talks from those working in the publishing, writing and professional creative sectors through your course, especially in the Business of Writing module
• Learn from inspirational staff who are novelists and non-fiction writers, and visiting professors who have worked in a variety of creative industries including screen writing, journalism and radio
• You'll be taught by professional and creative writers and academics who are committed to ensuring as wide a range of voices as possible are heard in national and international conversations about culture, society and creativity. They aim to generate a strong, committed centre of writing, especially for working class writers and writing

Course structure

In year 1, you'll receive a grounding in Language, Literature and Creative and Professional Writing via core modules. In years 2 and 3 you'll develop your skills, knowledge and independent learning, with the opportunity to undertake an Advanced Project in the final year.  

You'll be taught via lectures, seminars, and through our online teaching environment (VLE). Our teaching is designed to help you become an active, independent, and reflective learner. Lectures are used to communicate the core content of modules, while seminars and workshops provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills through a range of tutor-guided activities, including creative writing practice, peer review groups, and redrafting, as well as more academic skills such as close textual analysis, and the guided reading of primary and secondary material. We'll encourage you to work in pairs and in small groups, as well as individually.  

You'll be assessed via portfolios of creative work, essays, through innovative measures such as pitches to publishers and writing entries for dictionaries, as well as through group projects and presentations. There'll also be some exams and the chance to take up an industry placement.

You'll also be supported through one-to-ones with academic staff during office hours or online depending on teaching conditions.

Course modules

Year 1 (national level 4):, core modules:, the fundamentals of english language study (20 credits).

Gain an introduction to the study of language, with a focus on contemporary English. Establish what human language is and explore the history of English and how it varies according to geographical and social contexts. Develop skills in in the systematic analysis of English, focusing on morphology, lexis, syntax and phonology as you gain an understanding of the influence of time and space on the English language. Build upon your analytical skills to help consolidate your knowledge.

Regional Writing: Language (20 credits)

Develop your knowledge of regional writing through close study of regional and working-class dialect and text. Focus on how language informs the identity of character and class in creative writing. Get assessed via a 1,250-word linguistic analysis and 1,500-word piece of creative writing that may be submitted to an internal or external market, such as Sunderland University’s Spark Radio.

Writing Poetry and Prose (20 credits)

Learn about the two main genres of writing – poetry and prose – by studying the form and structure of the work of traditional writers and paying close attention to technique. Gain an introduction to the writing of flash-fiction and short stories. Write form and free form poetry. Analyse writing for technique and intention, exploring or adapting these mechanisms in your own creative practice. Gain experience and skills in critiquing your own work and that of others, developing analytical skills and self-awareness in order to further your own writing.

Reading and Literature (20 credits)

Examine the different ways of reading prose fiction, poetry and drama. Deepen your understanding of the terms and techniques associated with literary analysis and develop a familiarity with the different methods of reading (‘ordinary’ reading, slow reading, speed reading and critical reading). Study of some of the most widely acclaimed novels, short stories, poems and plays by British and American writers, including: Thomas Hardy, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sylvia Plath, William Blake and Shakespeare. Demonstrate your reading skills and explore short stories, poems and plays.

The Business of Writing: Editing and Publishing (20 credits)

Gain an insight into the contemporary landscape of UK literature and publishing to see how writing careers are made and supported. Explore through lectures and seminars the skills needed by people working in different roles in the industry, such as editing, proofreading and building creative industries brands (including your own). Examine the developing technologies involved in creative and professional writing careers and businesses, as well as learn about working in different genres, from fiction to cookery books, from travel writing to ghost-writing, from literacy to writing for wellbeing. Prepares for your work placement in Year 2 where you will put this learning into action.

Mini Project (20 credits)

Undertake a short group project on any of the aspects explored in your first semester. Pitch an idea for your mini project in the first part of the module, be given feedback on the practicality of their idea and allocated a suitable internal supervisor. Prepare for The Business of Writing module in Year 2, in which you’ll undertake a work placement, and the Major Project in Year 3.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article .

Year 2 (national level 5):

Language and society (20 credits).

Explore interactions between language and the contexts in which it is embedded. Discover the relationship between language and society, gaining an understanding of how social variables such as social status, geographical location, and the social networks people belong to influence linguistic variation and change, as well as the role of language attitudes and ideologies. Acquire the skills to carry out your own small-scale piece of sociolinguistic research.

Regional Writing: Literature (20 credits)

Build on the study of regional and working-class writers and writing from Year 1. Draw on landmark texts from the national and regional landscape, past and present. Study and analyse literary texts in the first half of the module, before moving onto workshops in the second half that encourage both critical and creative writing in response to this initial foundation. Get assessed via poster presentation and a piece of creative writing that should be submitted to an internal or external market.

Submitting Poetry and Prose (20 credits)

Take advantage of opportunities to explore contemporary writing in both prose and poetry, as well as more experimental writing. Gain knowledge of current prose and poetry publishers, as well as the skills to submit work to markets. Develop your writing in both forms and demonstrate a strong critical awareness of your work.

Texts and Contexts (20 credits)

Gain an introduction to the main periods of literary history from the Classical to the Victorian and the characteristic genres thereof. Examine key ideas and exemplary sub- genres across all three primary genres (poetry, prose and drama), using extracts from key writers, and learn to consider the importance of historical, social and cultural contexts, and the diverse shaping influences of these contexts. Consider the interplay between literary/historical backgrounds, literary texts, their production and reception and generic adaptations.

Business of Writing: Pitching, Funding and Placement (20 credits)

Gain an understanding of the obstacles that writers face in creating successful careers, as well as the tools and knowledge to overcome them. Develop your abilities to build a writer’s profile and to seek out opportunities available for writers such as residencies, commissions, teaching, pitches, and funding. Gain practical experience in identifying and writing pitches for funding and commissioning opportunities, contributing to your development as writers. Spend approximately 30 hours on a placement, which will enable you to bring the skills and knowledge you have developed so far in your degree into the workplace and provide you with the chance to draw on these achievements to enhance your understanding of their application beyond the university context.

Optional modules (choose one):

Environmental writing (20 credits).

Develop your creative communication skills while helping the Earth. Write innovative and inspired fiction, non-fiction, essays and life stories that engage with the most pressing issues of today such as the climate crisis, as you explore different styles and forms to suit the wide range of subjects that come under the banner ‘environmental writing’. Critically assess the craft of shaping stories about the relationships between people and planet. Analyse the most important new and historical works in the genre from across the globe, from America, India, and Africa as well as from the UK’s rich history in nature writing.

• Advanced Feature Writing (20 credits)

Learn how to write in a range of feature styles. Discover how to put together a long-form article that provides background and context for a news story. Build on the review-writing skills you acquired in your first year. Experiment with first-person profiles and discover the world of B2B writing.

• Screenwriting (20 credits)

Understand the concepts and techniques employed in writing drama or comedy suitable for television or steaming service such as Netflix or Amazon. Learn how to develop an idea through the treatment stage, and finally into a script.

As well as options from across the Faculty, for example in journalism, radio or media production.

Year 3 (national level 6):

Major project (40 credits).

Explore your burgeoning specialism or passion and develop your connections. Develop a major project in your preferred focus. Take any approach experienced from the course, e.g., a professional writing project, a creative writing project, performance, or project that combines approaches or other specialism drawn from optional modules you may have taken during the course.

Writing Identities (20 credits)

Gain an understanding of gender, sexuality and other stereotypes, and how you can unpack these issues of identity in your writing. Develop an understanding of the debates relating to gender and sexuality in contemporary society, using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Trace the various approaches to gender, sexuality, and other identities since the 1970s and how these have come to influence our understanding of identity today. Get the opportunity to creatively respond to these ideas and histories, through workshops full of writing exercises, writing-focused reading, and peer critique.

Reading as Writers (20 credits)

Consolidate your knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a ‘reader’ in a ‘professions-facing career-focused’ (PFCF) context. Professional writers, and those who work in the creative industries with writers, do not read like ‘ordinary’ readers. Find out how to read like a professional so you can apply this knowledge to your own professional practice.

Writing Dynamic Content (20 credits)

Explore examples of digital writing from a range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, essay, gaming and audio such as podcasts, working towards an assessed portfolio of work. Examine digital terminology, social media content such as BookTok and Instagram.

The Business of Writing: Advanced publishing (20 credits)

Develop advanced insight into the contemporary landscape of UK literature and publishing and how they shape writing careers. Explore advanced technologies involved in creative and professional writing careers and businesses, and how publishing now spans TV, film, graphic novels, adapted versions for children and other audiences. Gain analytical skills to discuss works of cross-media publishing. Complete the module by submitting proposals for publishing projects for authors and writers in the UK market.

Screenwriting For Television and Film (20 credits)

Understand how many films and television programmes that we see today are adaptations, whether that be from true stories, novels, plays, games or short stories. Write a 30-minute script adaptation for film or TV. Attend lectures, seminars, screenings and practical writing workshops.

Radio Drama (20 credits)

Gain an understanding of the development of radio drama within the BBC and in independent production and in experimental drama. Participate in production workshops in idea formation, pitching, production management, scriptwriting, casting, studio direction and creative production.

You can also select modules in scriptwriting, journalism and audio drama.

You can access free Wi-Fi throughout the University campus, so you can work from anywhere. If you don't want to carry a laptop around, just use one of the University’s PCs or Macs. We have hundreds of computers for you to use in the Murray Library, St Peter's Library, and the David Goldman Informatics Centre. If you ever have any technical problems, just ask the friendly helpdesk team.

The library is your gateway to information resources and services both on and off campus, all through a single search box. We have digital resources and support tailored for your course including: The MLA International Bibliography a database literature, language, linguistics and folklore; Project Gutenberg over 50,000 free ebooks; and Voice of the Shuttle, online English literature. See the  English key resources for more information.

Access 1400 study places, including quiet and silent zones, 300+ PCs, group work hubs, online module reading lists and study skills support, all in our quality learning environments. You’ll have full use of two libraries, both with extensive opening hours. And ‘Live Chat’ enables you to access library support and help, from anywhere, 24/7.

We’re much more than a library, the University Library and Study Skills team are on hand to guide you throughout your studies on and off campus from embedded skills sessions, digital skills support to one-to-one and drop-in advice on research and academic skills.

We have four journalism suites, each with Apple Mac workstations with industry-standard software including NewsCutter, Burli and ENPS.

Our mediaHUB, a bustling newsroom and home to a team of BBC Newcastle journalists, is responsible for our suite of websites and provides a variety of experiences.  Tyne & Wear TV are just downstairs, offering placements to students and jobs to several of our graduates.  

Learn in our 203-seat cinema and 7.1 surround sound facility. Access two broadcast-quality production studios complete with green room and changing facilities and equipment such as Steadicam rigs, track and mini crane.

Go on-air in one of five radio studios, including a larger radio drama studio and a transmission suite for  Spark , our award winning student-run community radio station.

View our AccessAble accessibility guide for the David Puttnam Media Centre.

The mediaHUB is a bustling multimedia newsroom on the top floor of our David Puttnam Media Centre where you will get a real taste of life as a working journalist or social media manager.

The mediaHUB runs websites and social media channels covering sport, news, entertainments and fashion, provides the content for news bulletins on our award-winning radio station, Spark, and is responsible for writing and editing Spark magazine.

The ground-breaking workspace is designed to be a professional environment and includes plenty of workstations each with industry-standard software including NewsCutter, Burli and ENPS, and a Sky feed with two 40” plasma screens. The whole space is managed by an ex-Sky Journalist, who is on hand with her team to point you in the right direction.

View our AccessAble accessibility guide for the mediaHUB.

• Map and directions

You'll be based at David Puttnam Media Centre, situated on the award-winning Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's riverside campus. The location benefits from dedicated library services and has superb transport links with the city centre and City Campus. You'll benefit from modern teaching rooms, presentation technologies, virtual learning environments such as Canvas and Microsoft Teams.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page .

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at [email protected] for further advice.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

• £9,250 if you are from the UK/Europe*
• £16,000 if you are an international student (EU nationals will receive a £5,750 scholarship to reduce their fee to £10,250)

Tuition fees for part-time students are £6,935 per 120 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

*The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in  our   Help and Advice article .

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

This course blends the best of a traditional English degree with innovative teaching and exciting connections to the creative industries both regionally and nationally to help budding writers, creatives and creators make your mark. This is not a ‘traditional’ creative writing degree but one that prepares you for writing both creatively and professionally.

Creative and professional writing careers

Whether you want to succeed as a poet or novelist, social content editor or games narrative designer, or want to learn about what’s needed to be a book publicist or copy writer, this degree puts the creative and writing professions within your reach. The course introduces you to the skills necessary for the kinds of careers you will find across the creative industries in the 21 st  century, and helps you get in and get on in the career you want.

You'll be well placed to enter many areas within the creative industries, such as literary agencies, publishing houses, galleries, museums, theatres, and writing development organisations, as well as across the journalism, media, marketing, communications and PR industries. Potential jobs include: freelance writer, novelist, poet, games designer (narrative), publicist, publishing assistant, marketing, PR/communications, copywriter, advertising executive, digital writer, editor, content writer, content editor, proofreader, researcher, translator, journalist, reporter, scriptwriter, screenwriter, radio writer. Many of our graduates work as editors, journalists, writers, teachers and within publishing.

Creative Industries Week

Creative Industries Week gives everyone in the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries the opportunity to participate in a range of projects, workshops, talks, industry visits and career events.

This exciting week encourages interdisciplinary working, broadens your experience, to build your confidence and help develop your career path.

Real-world experience – on campus and beyond

Your course will keep you busy in class and across campus as you get involved with our publishing platforms. As part of the course you’ll go on placement to organisations that suit your goals, from literary agencies to copywriting houses, including student writing residencies and opportunities in the region’s cultural venues and festivals.

You’ll have the opportunity to be involved in Spark Sunderland, the 24/7 community radio station, based in the David Puttnam Media Centre. Spark is award-winning and has been consistently recognised at the Student Radio Awards, Community Radio Awards and the prestigious New York Festival Radio Awards for many years. Students are responsible for programme production and creative ideas which could be your step into writing radio drama, or scripting comedy shows. In the same building you can also learn from the many writers who work from here, including BBC Newcastle journalists and the team at Tyne & Wear TV, a professional TV station run from our Media Centre.

Meet the team — BA (Hons) English: Creative and Professional Writing

Related courses.

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

[email protected]

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries

Page last updated: 07 March 2024

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

All you need to know to choose your course, from foundation to bachelors or integrated masters

Ready for advanced study? Explore our Postgraduate Courses and Research Degrees

Discover our part-time online courses for study any time, anywhere

Looking to improve your skills or change career? A short course could be the key

• Research degrees
• Part-time study
• Apprenticeships
• Campus and facilities
• Fees and Finance
• Student support
• Study abroad
• Employability

Let the adventure begin. Where could you be living?

Culture, adventure, fun, sport, shopping. Derby has lots to offer, whatever you love doing

Make friends, learn a skill or share your interests with our varied clubs and societies

How to make the most of your time - on campus and beyond.

• International students
• Sport at Derby
• Union of Students

Discover how we are pushing the boundaries of innovation and research and learn about our approach

If you have a curious, independent mind then join us. Explore your options for research degrees

Explore our research case studies and discover how our research is having a real world impact

Whether you are from industry or academic, we’re always keen to collaborate on research projects

Learn more about our researchers and our research focus

Find out more about our colleges and departments

Coral reefs are dying off at an alarming rate. Our Aquatic Research Facility is carrying out work with organisations across the globe to make corals more resilient in the face of man-made afflictions.

Discover how you can benefit from working with us.

If you have an idea for a new business or are in the early stages of establishing yourself, see how we can help.

If you're ready to grow your business, see what support and funding we can offer.

Even if your business is well-established, there are still plenty of ways we can add value.

• Research and Innovation
• Talent and Recruitment
• Training and Development

Get in touch with the relevant team to find out how we can make a big difference to your business.

English and Creative and Professional Writing

• Apply Apply
• Order your prospectus Order your prospectus
• Contact us Contact us

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 years

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

UCAS points

112-120 (September 2024 entry)

Course level

Undergraduate

Qualification

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Course description

The best bits.

• Combining two subjects boosts your employability and gives you the opportunity to develop knowledge and expertise in two subject areas, making you a more versatile graduate
• Learn the art, craft and processes of writing fiction and non-fiction; we'll cover writing for books, magazines, and digital content
• Understand how today's publishing industry works and gain the skills you need to get your work — or the work of others — to market
• Prepare for any career in the literary world, whether you aspire to be a writer or to work in the publishing industry, with the choice of a wide range of optional modules
• The course’s distinctive core of engagement with literary, critical and cultural theory will enable you to develop a highly nuanced and sophisticated approach to the analysis of literature, language and culture
• You will explore fascinating aspects of the subject, including the evolution of fantasy, the representation of crime, the legacy of Empire, cultural politics, existentialist writing, classical myth and the 19th-century realist novel
• This degree will change the way you think: you will encounter a wide range of literature from across the globe, studied in the context of perspective-altering theories concerning identity, desire, cultural politics and the nature of reality itself

English and Creative and Professional Writing at Derby 

English and Creative and Professional Writing at Derby is an exciting, diverse and challenging course that not only incorporates the close analysis of literature, but also considers the situations in which literature is produced and read. It also looks at the industry from both the perspective of the writer and the perspective of the publishing professional. Your studies will be put in a wider cultural, theoretical and cultural perspective meaning it will include the intellectual and cultural history of art, film, philosophy, linguistics and sociology, as well as contemporary cultural politics, and the world of publishing.  

This course gives you a distinct advantage in the workplace. If you want to be a writer, we’ll ensure you understand the marketplace for your work and the practicalities of getting it published. Equally, if you're an aspiring publishing professional, we’ll give you valuable insight into the creative processes, aspirations and concerns of authors and the industry.

Enrich your own writing by studying critically acclaimed and commercially successful writers, and enhance your appreciation of great literature by reflecting on your own writing practice.

Tailor your degree 

With a range of optional modules across English and Creative and Professional Writing (covering various themes and theories in literature like crime, fantasy, gender and society) you’ll be able to tailor your studies to your area of interest and your career goals. 

Choose your pathway  

Studying an English and Creative and Professional Writing Joint Honours degree allows you to choose whether you major in one subject or study them both equally. 

You begin this degree by studying both subjects equally in your first year. By the end of your first year, you will then decide whether you would like to major or minor in a chosen subject or continue to study them both equally. 

In this pathway, English is the major subject and Creative and Professional Writing is the minor subject.  

In this pathway, you study English and Creative and Professional Writing equally. 

In this pathway, Creative and Professional Writing is the major subject and English is the minor subject.  

Jamie gains a sense of purpose

Jamie Thrasivoulou is an inspiration. There’s no denying it. Anyone who has seen him perform We Are Derby from the centre circle in front of a packed Pride Park Stadium will agree. Jamie is a poet.

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with

What you will study

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact [email protected] .

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

How you will learn

You will learn through lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will be taught in interactive and varied ways, with plenty of opportunity for you to discuss and debate ideas, so your course stays stimulating and thought-provoking. You will be able to test your ideas, clarify points and develop arguments based on your reading of primary and secondary sources. This will help you develop excellent communication skills, something that employers really value. You’ll also have the opportunity to write, market and deliver a conference paper in the second year, building a broader range of skills. 

English is a subject based upon discussion and interpretation, and your English classes will reflect this, with great emphasis placed upon student contributions and presentations in addition to lectures. 

How you are assessed 

For Creative and Professional Writing modules, you’ll be allowed to get creative and express yourself in written work in the form of stories, poetry, scripts, blogs and press articles. You will also be assessed through traditional essays and presentations. 

For English modules, our assessment strategy is designed to produce confident, articulate graduates with a broad set of skills. There are no exams and forms of assessment include seminar debates, group presentations and conference papers alongside essays and longer research projects. We place great emphasis on developing your research skills, with independent projects playing a key part in the second and third year of the course. 

Who will teach you  

You will be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts.  

Dr Robin Sims Programme leader specialising in critical theory and postmodernism.

Programme Leader

Cat Mitchell Senior Lecturer in Publishing

Cat Mitchell is a Lecturer in Writing and Publishing with five years of experience working in the publishing industry. She teaches on the Publishing MA course, and the Writing and Publishing BA course.

Personal academic tutoring

Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.

Find out more about personal academic tutoring

Entry requirements

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

IELTS: 7.0 (in all areas, except 6.5 in written element)

Fees and funding

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to .

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply.

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Find your agent

Studying English and Creative Writing provides you with transferable creative and analytical skills. Employers across all sectors need people who can write and communicate well. The key skills you'll develop on this course — writing, editing, group work and presentations — are essential for many roles.

You will have opportunities to engage with the creative industries during your programme and in your modules. We work closely with publishers offering podcasts on the Creative Writing Industry The BookMachine Podcast: Conversations in Publishing and we participate actively in cultural events such as Derby Book Festival.  

You may consider a career in:  

• Writing, editing or publishing  
• Journalism  
• Marketing, advertising or events  
• Art and Literature-based organisations such as media centres, museums or galleries  
• Teaching  

Careers and Employment Service   

Our Careers and Employment Service can help you boost your employment skills by connecting you with employers for work placements, part-time jobs, and volunteering. They can also offer guidance on career options, CV writing, or starting your own business.  

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees

• Your course fee includes any mandatory study visits and some social events

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

• Purchase of set texts and copies of core text books; costs will vary depending on the source 

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• English BA (Hons)
• Creative Writing and Publishing BA (Hons)
• English and Law BA (Hons)
• English and History BA (Hons)
• Business Management and English BA (Hons)