Program Overview

Creative Writing BA (Hons)

Overview

Our BA (Hons) Creative Writing is ranked 12th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2025 – Creative Writing). This course will help you develop your creative writing skills and knowledge, preparing you for a career in writing or a related field.

Course Features

• International students can apply
• Sandwich year option available
• Studying abroad option available

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Introduction to Fiction: This module outlines the art of fiction by concentrating on shorter pieces, often referred to as ‘microfiction’. The module also builds up techniques of perception, language and effect, in combination with the reading of fiction, with the aim of integrating reading as a fiction writer into an on-going practice of reflection.
• Introduction to Poetry: This module guides you in the art of non-metrical poetry by concentrating upon shorter poems and upon building up techniques of perception, language and effect. This will be done in combination with the reading of poetry with the aim of integrating reading as a poet into an on-going practice of reflection.
• Introduction to Scriptwriting: This module covers some of the essential elements of dramatic scriptwriting. These include characterisation, writing dialogue, scenes and beats, monologues, conflict and structure.
• Reading the World and the Business of Writing: This module introduces you to a range of contemporary writing, in all its formats, both in English and English translation. The module will help you to develop the art of reading as a writer, enhance your understanding of poetics, and encourage you to contribute to the cultural landscape by producing and maintaining a writer’s blog.
• The Studio: This module introduces you to various ways of exploring your writing practice through a series of exercises and writing experiments. The module will equip you with the essential skills for the writing process, enabling you to develop your own creative ideas and writing voice and reflect on the practice of creative and imaginative writing.

Year 2

• Inside the Publishing Industry: This module develops your awareness of publishing across literary genres with a focus on poetry, fiction, script and digital publishing. You will explore what writers and publishers are looking for in the 21st century and receive talks by guest speakers from leading publishing presses as well as industry professionals.
• The Art of Poetry: This module enables you to write in, and experiment with, a variety of styles, to read a range of contemporary and recent poetry, and to relate that reading to an on-going process of reflection that will feedback into a robust and inventive writing practice.
• The Writer’s Life: This module introduces you to various creative industries (commercial, trade and independent publishing), fields of contemporary literary production and the role(s) of the creative writer within creative and cultural environments.
• Writing Short Stories: This module explores the nature of the short story form and its specific demands on the writer. You will produce your own short fiction, responding to the diversity of styles and genres adopted by short story authors.

Year 3

• The Writer’s Workshop: This module enables you to develop your practical and creative skills in a specific genre, as well as to further investigate the processes involved in your own practice and that of other writers. The module provides you with the opportunity to develop and complete an extended creative project in a field of your choosing, along with a 3,000-word critique of the work.
• Advanced Fiction: This module provides you with the opportunity to write fiction at an advanced level, with a particular focus on the novel and the short story sequence. Using increasingly complex themes and techniques, you will establish a growing sense of autonomy as a writer, shaped by the reading of fiction and also your own continuous writing practice.
• The Art of Screenwriting: This module focuses on the development of screenplays for television and film. The module will give you an understanding of character, plot, dialogue, montage and the structure of screenwriting.
• Enterprise Management: This module cultivates entrepreneurial skills, fostering innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking. It immerses you in real-world business contexts, promoting adaptability and resilience.
• Experiments in Writing: This module introduces you to new ways and forms of writing, as well as to various philosophies and theories that can be incorporated into new writing pieces.
• Poetry and Innovative Form: This module enables you to practice advanced techniques and develop innovative strategies for writing poetry, while reading a range of contemporary works (including emergent forms) and reflecting upon the reading and writing.
• The Writer at Work: This module places creative practice within its cultural and industry context through a detailed case study. focusing on the career of a significant 20th or 21st century author, who may be working in a single literary genre or across several, including script, fiction, poetry, non-fiction or electronic media.

How You'll Study

Teaching and learning is centred on the writer’s workshop, where your writing will improve through practical exercises and the analysis of existing work. The workshop is a vital element in your development as a writer and your participation through self and peer appraisal will provide opportunities for improving your work and commenting constructively on that of fellow writers.

How You'll Be Assessed

All modules are assessed by coursework, which includes creative practice, critical practice, essays, presentations, and a reflection on the creative process. There are no formal written examinations as part of the current assessment methods on this degree.

Who Will Be Teaching You

You’ll be taught by tutors who are practising professional writers. They include published short story writers, poets, dramatists and games writers. The programme team are also active researchers and scholars, publishing work in a variety of academic and literary journals.

Entry Criteria

Typical offer 112-120 UCAS Tariff points. No specific subjects are required but the study or experience of English Language, English Literature, Drama or Media would be preferred.

How to Apply

Apply online through UCAS.

Facilities

The Department of English and Creative Arts is based in Creative Edge, a state-of-the-art £17million building offering highly contemporary facilities.

Finance

• UK Full-Time: £9,535 a year
• UK Part-Time: £79 per credit for 360 credits
• International: £17,000 a year

Your Future Career

What can you do with a BA (Hons) Creative Writing? Some graduates launch freelance writing careers. Others find jobs in publishing, content creation, game design and teaching.