Program Overview

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University of Essex BA (Hons) Creative Writing Program

The University of Essex offers a BA (Hons) Creative Writing program, which is designed to help students develop their writing skills and explore the craft of writing through a multi-genre approach.

Overview

The program is based in the Centre for Creative Writing and is taught by experienced and established writers. Students will have the opportunity to work on a range of writing projects, including fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, and will be encouraged to experiment and innovate in their writing.

Course Structure

The program is made up of a number of components, including:

• The Humanities Graduate: Future Pathways (15 credits)
• Origins and Transformations in Literature and Drama (30 credits)
• The Writer's Toolkit (15 credits)
• Writing and Making Audio Drama (15 credits)
• Poetry: A Very Short Introduction (15 credits)
• Optional modules (30 credits)

Year 1

In the first year, students will take the following compulsory modules:

• The Humanities Graduate: Future Pathways
• Origins and Transformations in Literature and Drama
• The Writer's Toolkit
• Writing and Making Audio Drama
• Poetry: A Very Short Introduction

Year 2

In the second year, students will take the following compulsory modules:

• Criticism: Practice and Theory
• Writing Structures
• Writing the Short Story
• Creative Non-Fiction
• Understanding and Writing Science Fiction

Final Year

In the final year, students will take the following compulsory modules:

• Independent Creative Writing Project (30 credits)
• Optional modules (30 credits)

Placement Year

Students have the option to take a placement year, which will give them the opportunity to gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation.

Year Abroad

Students also have the option to take a year abroad, which will give them the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, and to broaden their degree socially and academically.

Teaching

Teaching will mainly take the form of lectures and classes of about 20 students, with an emphasis on practical exercises and creative approaches.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on coursework, with a mark for class participation included in the coursework mark.

Fees and Funding

The fees for the program are as follows:

• Home/UK fee: Ł9,790 per year
• International fee: Ł21,500 per year
• Placement year: 20% of the standard tuition fee for that year
• Study abroad: 15% of the standard tuition fee for that year

Scholarships and Financial Support

There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of the program.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for the program are as follows:

• UK entry requirements:
  • A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels
  • BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels
  • IB: 30 - 29 points in the IB Diploma or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects
• International entry requirements:
  • The University accepts a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries
• English language requirements:
  • IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that the University accepts

Related Courses

The University of Essex also offers an Integrated Master in Literature: Creative Writing program, which is a four-year program that combines undergraduate and postgraduate study.