Program Overview
Creative Writing
BA (Hons)
Overview
Join our vibrant writing community, supported by award-winning authors and creative practitioners.
What you'll learn
Contemporary creative writing is diverse. It’s digital and on the page; social and singular. Our comprehensive programme includes prose fiction, YA, flash fiction, poetry, scriptwriting for live performance and screen, life writing and memoir.
Course structure
Year one
The course is carefully designed to enable you to explore and experiment with your writing and understand the foundations of writing craft. In the Writer’s Workshop modules you’ll be introduced to an array of different writing forms and genres and you’ll be experimenting with them each week.
Year two
In the second year of the course, you have access to a range of modules that will enable you to specialise in a particular form or genre of writing.
Year three
The final year of the programme is designed to consolidate your writing practice and support your progression into a writing-related career.
Facilities and resources
- Commons building with its state-of-the-art classrooms, study spaces and cafe
- Digital labs (Mac rooms) for students learning new media
- Virtual Learning Environment to support you in your modules
- Cameras, audio recording equipment available for students to borrow absolutely free
- Technical staff to help students use industry standard software
- Library with print and ebooks, digital resources, literary magazines and journals
Creative Writing careers
There are those assumptions that... the only thing you can ever do with a creative writing degree is write a novel. That's not true.
Opportunities
- Study abroad
- Work placements, industry links and internships
- Careers
Fees
2025 entry
- UK full time: £9,535
- UK part time: £4,768
- International full time: £17,670
Additional course costs
You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits.
Funding opportunities
Please visit our Funding pages for an overview of the funding options that may be available, including scholarships and bursaries.
What we look for in potential students
Most of our applicants will have an A or a B in English Language and/or English Literature at A Level.
Typical offers
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below.
- A Level - grades BBB-BCC including a Grade B in English or a related subject
- BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in any subject
- T Levels – grade Merit preferred in a relevant subject
- International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 32 points are required with a minimum of grade 5 in English at Higher Level
- Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher)
English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants
IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.
Course modules
This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules you take will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen.
Year one (Level 4) modules
- The Writer’s Workshop 1
- Explorations in Prose Fiction
- The Writer’s Workshop 2
- Introduction to Poetry
- Introduction to Scriptwriting
- Publishing and Editing for Writers
Year two (Level 5) modules
- Creative Enterprise 1
- Creative Enterprise 2
- Form and Listening in Poetry
- Genre Fiction
- Life Writing
- Writing for Theatre
- Writing Graphic Novels and Comics
- Short Fiction
- Scripting for Screen
- Performance Poetry and Spoken Word
- Writing For Young People: Reading as Writers
- Professional Placement Year
Year three (Level 6) modules
- Professional Practice
- Extended Prose Fiction 1
- The Poetry Collection 1
- Advanced Script Project 1
- Advanced Nonfiction Project 1
- Planning and Writing a Novel for Young People 1
- Teaching Writing
- Extended Prose Fiction 2
- The Poetry Collection 2
- Advanced Script Project 2
- Advanced Nonfiction Project 2
- Planning and Writing a Novel for Young People 2
- Teaching Practice
- Live Literature
- Publishing Industry Project
- Writing Now - prizes, popularity and politics
Professional placement year
The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months.
International opportunities for Creative Writing students
Related
- Creative Writing at Bath Spa
- MA Creative Writing
- English Literature
- Creative Writing and Publishing
Key facts
- Award: BA (Hons) Creative Writing
- School/s: School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities
- Campus or location: Newton Park
- Course length: Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
- UCAS codes: Institution Code: B20, Course Code: W800 or W801, Campus Code: A,BSU
Program Outline
Creative Writing BA (Hons) - Bath Spa University
Degree Overview:
This program is designed to help students develop their writing craft and find their writing path. It offers a comprehensive curriculum covering various writing forms and genres, including prose fiction, YA, flash fiction, poetry, scriptwriting for live performance and screen, life writing, and memoir. The program emphasizes developing professional skills and preparing students for careers in the creative industries or postgraduate study.
Objectives:
- Develop students' writing skills and techniques across various genres.
- Foster creativity and experimentation in writing.
- Provide a supportive and collaborative learning environment.
- Equip students with professional skills for the creative industries.
- Prepare students for careers in writing or further study.
Outline:
Year One (Level 4):
- The Writer’s Workshop 1: Introduces students to different writing forms and genres, encouraging experimentation.
- Explorations in Prose Fiction: Focuses on developing skills in prose fiction writing.
- The Writer’s Workshop 2: Continues the exploration of writing forms and genres, building on skills from Workshop 1.
- Introduction to Poetry: Introduces students to the fundamentals of poetry writing.
- Publishing and Editing for Writers: Explores the publishing industry and editing processes.
Year Two (Level 5):
- Creative Enterprise 1 & 2: Develops students' understanding of creative enterprise and how to turn their writing into a commercial opportunity.
- Form and Listening in Poetry: Delves deeper into poetic forms and techniques.
- Genre Fiction: Focuses on specific genres of fiction, such as crime, fantasy, or science fiction.
- Life Writing: Explores the art of writing about personal experiences and memories.
- Writing Graphic Novels and Comics: Introduces students to the world of graphic novel and comic writing.
- Short Fiction: Develops skills in writing short stories.
- Performance Poetry and Spoken Word: Explores the art of performance poetry and spoken word.
- Writing For Young People: Reading as Writers: Explores writing for young audiences.
- The Independent Magazine: Students work in teams to create their own independent magazine.
- Professional Placement Year: (Optional) Provides students with the opportunity to gain professional experience in the writing industry.
Year Three (Level 6):
- Professional Practice: Focuses on developing professional skills and building a portfolio for career success.
- Extended Prose Fiction 1 & 2: Develops students' skills in writing longer prose fiction.
- The Poetry Collection 1 & 2: Focuses on creating a collection of poetry.
- Advanced Script Project 1 & 2: Develops students' skills in writing advanced screenplays or stage plays.
- Advanced Nonfiction Project 1 & 2: Focuses on writing in-depth nonfiction pieces.
- Planning and Writing a Novel for Young People 1 & 2: Develops skills in writing novels for young audiences.
- Teaching Writing: Explores the art of teaching writing.
- Teaching Practice: Provides students with practical experience in teaching writing.
- Live Literature: Focuses on developing skills in performing and presenting writing.
- Publishing Industry Project: Provides students with an opportunity to work on a publishing project.
- Writing Now - prizes, popularity and politics: Explores the contemporary writing landscape.
Assessment:
- 100% coursework (no exams).
- Most modules require students to submit a portfolio of creative writing along with a reflective or contextual essay.
- Assessments focus on evaluating students' writing skills, creativity, and understanding of writing techniques.
Teaching:
- Taught through a mixture of workshops, lectures, presentations, and tutorials.
- Workshops provide a supportive environment for students to share and critique each other's work.
- Lectures introduce techniques and themes in detail.
- Tutorials offer one-on-one guidance from tutors.
- The program adopts industry standards and practices wherever appropriate.
Careers:
- Potential career paths include:
- Novelist
- Science magazine editor
- Children’s author
- Playwright
- Digital Marketing Executive
- Social media writer
- Commercial copywriter for brands or charities
- University lecturer
- Editor
- Poet
- Many graduates go on to pursue postgraduate study in Creative Writing or related fields.
- Students have access to various facilities, including:
- Commons building with classrooms, study spaces, and a cafe.
- Digital labs (Mac rooms) for learning new media.
- Virtual Learning Environment for module support.
- Students can borrow cameras and audio recording equipment for free.
- Technical staff provide support for using industry-standard software.
- The library offers a wide range of resources, including print and ebooks, digital resources, literary magazines, and journals.
- The program offers a range of prizes to celebrate student writing.
- Students are encouraged to develop project work throughout the program.
- The program is one of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, providing students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite.
International fees:
£16,905
- UK full time: £9,250
- UK part time : £4,625
