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Creative writing

A degree in creative writing allows you to develop your writing, research and creative thinking skills. These skills are useful in a range of careers such as writing, publishing, marketing, PR and teaching

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Advertising copywriter
• Arts administrator
• Community arts worker
• Creative director
• Digital copywriter
• Editorial assistant
• Higher education lecturer
• Lexicographer
• Magazine journalist
• Newspaper journalist
• Publishing copy-editor/proofreader

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Academic librarian
• Digital marketer
• Film director
• Marketing executive
• Public librarian
• Public relations officer
• Secondary school teacher
• Social media manager
• Talent agent
• Web content manager

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Make sure you create a portfolio of your written work, especially any that you've had published. This will provide evidence of your writing skills and establish your reputation as a writer.

You can gain valuable experience by writing for your student newspaper or magazine, volunteering in schools, or getting involved with writers' groups. Also, try submitting work to journals or anthologies, entering competitions, performing at spoken word events or approaching local drama groups to see if they will use your scripts. This will boost your profile and help build your confidence.

To make yourself more employable, look for opportunities to gain some solid work experience. This could be in the form of paid administrative work for a company, or volunteering with a local charity, for example, helping them to promote the work they do.

You can also look for related work experience with, for example, publishing houses and advertising and marketing firms. You could write speculatively to a number of businesses to ask if you could complete some short-term work experience or shadowing. This can help you get a foot in the door in a highly-competitive industry and could lead to a permanent position.

As well as creative talent and writing experience, you will also need perseverance and determination to succeed as a writer.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships .

Typical employers

As a creative writing graduate you may work to establish yourself as a writer on a self-employed basis, either writing your own works, or writing for others in a freelance capacity.

Alternatively, you could find opportunities with a variety of employers, including:

• publishing houses or editorial/technical writing service companies
• advertising, marketing and public relations agencies, particularly in a copywriting capacity
• primary, secondary, further and higher education institutions
• media organisations and social media companies
• general businesses - in an administrative or general management position
• Civil Service, library or charitable organisations.

Find information on employers in marketing, advertising and PR , media and internet , teacher training and education , and other job sectors .

Skills for your CV

As well as building specialist knowledge of creative writing, you also develop effective written, oral and presentation skills through your degree. Other skills include: 

• creative and critical thinking and problem solving - these skills are useful for many jobs and you'll have gained them from developing characters and storylines
• independent working - having to be self-motivated as a writer means you can effectively determine and direct your own workload 
• time management and organisation - learning to structure your time effectively as a writer means you can be highly organised 
• a good understanding of information technology 
• collaboration - from liaising with students from other related courses such as journalism and film studies 
• independent research and analysis - you'll be adept at this from turning ideas into well-rounded stories 
• editorial and proofreading - from producing accurately written content 
• negotiation and networking - learning how to market your work effectively gives you the skill to negotiate in other workplace settings. 

Further study

As a creative writing graduate you can develop your creative writing skills further by undertaking postgraduate study at Masters or PhD level. You can also specialise in an area such as screenwriting, the graphic novel, writing for young people, writing poetry, or writing and producing comedy.

Alternatively, you may want to undertake further vocational training in areas such as teaching, journalism, librarianship or publishing. Vocational courses allow you to study in an area in which you would like to have a career.

You may also want to consider further study in areas such as PR, marketing or advertising.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in creative writing .

What do creative writing graduates do?

A tenth (10%) of creative writing graduates in employment in the UK are working in artistic, literary and media occupations, while 7% are working as sales, marketing and related associate professionals. 4% are teaching professionals, and a further 4% are media professionals.

Find out what other creative writing graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.

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What can you do with a Creative Writing degree? [The ultimate 2024 careers guide]

What can I do with a creative writing degree?

In a creative writing degree, you'll explore a mixture of traditional and contemporary themes, from storytelling, novels, poetry, to podcasts, and scriptwriting. You'll learn to craft narratives and develop a unique voice. From technical and analytical writing to communicating with diverse audiences, courses cover a range of topics.

As businesses and entrepreneurs are evolving to meet changing consumer behaviors and shifts in society, skilled writers with an unparralelled capacity for imagination, innovation, and effective communication are playing a vital role in business growth, and are highly desirable across many emerging and traditional sectors.

This ultimate career guide is covering the different types of roles, industries, and ways to make money as a creative writing graduate in 2024.

11 growing industries in creative writing

1. publishing.

The publishing industry is thriving due to the continued growth of digital platforms, the rise of self-publishing, and an increased focus on diverse and inclusive content. If you're keen to work in a publishing house there are many starter roles up for grabs with lots of opportunities for career progression from Editoral Assistant or Content Coordinator to Editor-in-Chief, to Literary Agent, or Director of Marketing and Publicity.

2. Content Marketing

The digital landscape is becoming increasingly competitive. Content marketing provides businesses with a means to establish a strong online presence, educate, engage and connect with their target audience, and build brand authority.

3. E-Learning

According to Statista , the growth of online education is estimated to reach a revenue of $498.60bn by 2028. This rising demand for E-learning is driven by advancing technology, and the rise of the creator economy. Online education is easily accessible and flexible, making it a preferred choice for anyone looking to upskill and learn from leading industry experts.

4. Digital Media and Streaming Services

With over 450 million listeners around the world, many of us have got a favourite podcast we plug into on the regular. You've probably been part of a debate on Spotify V Apple Music, or Netflix V Amazon Prime? Does the thought of leaving the house without your Kindle send shivers down your spine? With access to video, audio, and streaming services at our fingertips, digital content consumption continues to grow and media platforms are cleverly capitalising on this trend in an attempt to become the number one platform. As the demand for this type of content rises, so do new opportunities for creative writing graduates.

5. Technology and IT

Technology companies often need to share complex information with their stakeholders and customers. Professional writers are worth their weight in gold in helping to demystify technical jargon, and translate the most valuable content and insights in a meaningful, engaging, and exciting way - whether that's through user-friendly guides, or other types of digital marketing collateral.

6. Healthcare

There is a growing emphasis on patient education, and the healthcare industry is recognising the importance and value of clear and accessible information. With advancements in medical research and technology, writers are able to help communicate complex medical information to both professionals and the general public. Self-employed practioners and consultants can benefit from hiring a writer to reach wider audiences and grow their client profile. With access to a professional writer, business owners are able to achieve new levels of revenue growth by diversifying their income through building digital products or developing a digital course.

7. Gaming and Virtual Reality (VR)

The gaming and VR industries are expanding with an increase in consumer interest, new tech, and the integration of gaming in various sectors. Writers play a vital role in creating immersive narratives, engaging storylines, and interactive experiences that keep their users hooked and demanding more.

8. Social Media Management

It's 2024, we know that social media platforms are integral for successful marketing. Brands need a rock solid strategy that's filled with shareable and engaging content to reach and monetise their audiences. Writers are hired to craft compelling messages that speak directly to key demographics, write ads, manage online presence, and build brand narratives. The social media industry is a storytellers dream with direct access to a growing portfolio of entrepreneurs, freelancers, consultants, and virtual assistants.

9. Environmental, Sustainability, and Biotech Communications

With a global focus on sustainability, environmental issues, and advancements in science and biotechnology, businesses are investing in communication strategies that highlight their commitment to responsible practices and can clearly communicate findings and research to the public. Writers are crucial in reporting on sustainability initiatives, shaping corporate social responsibility narratives, and translating jargon-filled scientific concepts to a general audience.

10. Remote Work and Productivity

In the era of remote working, businesses are turning to digital communication and productivity strategies to streamline workflows and build a connected internal environment with their teams. If the thrill of organisation and productivity is what gets you out of bed in the morning, this could present an opportunity to leverage your skills to customise strategies for businesses and entrepreneurs. If there's a solution to transforming internal processes, increase profit margins, and build a thriving company culture, there's a price worth paying.

11. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The debate around the value of professional writers in a new world of Artificial Intelligence is a conversation which dominates dinner table debates, but, while AI is becoming more prevalent in content generation, writers are not at risk of losing credibility or potential jobs as outlined in this career guide. Instead, there is a need for collaboration between writers and AI systems. By embracing this, companies can leverage the strengths of both to create more powerful and engaging content, applications, and user experiences. The human touch and creativity brought by writers remain integral in ensuring the success and ethical use of AI and robotics in various industries.

17 in-demand roles for writers as of 2024

Below are 17 different types of roles you could consider pursuing as a creative writing graduate. Many of these roles can be found across all industries, so if there's something that really interests you, there's a good chance you will be able to find a role within the sector you're most interested in. The best place to start looking is job sites such as Indeed , LinkedIn , or websites dedicated to freelance work, such as Upwork .

• Content Writer/Strategist (any industry)
• Scriptwriters (podcast, radio, television, film, social media)
• Interactive Storyteller
• Digital Marketing Manager
• Social Media Content Creator
• VR Content Creator
• Environmental Reporter
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Writer
• Writer in Residence
• Brand Journalist

What is a typical salary for a creative writing graduate?

As a professional writers, there are many ways you can make money through various income streams. Below are 10 ways you can earn money as a professional writer.

1. Freelancing

Writers who want to design their own schedule could enjoy freelancing or starting their own business. Freelance writers set their own fees, and often have the freedom of working remotely. There are many agencies that can help writers find and secure freelance jobs, so building a portfolio and building a relationship with agencies is really important. Writers can benefit from building a personal brand and social media presence to increase their exposure, and find lucrative clients within a niche that aligns with personal interests and passions.

*Side note - when you study a Creative Writing degree at Essex , you can get advice and guidance building a portfolio from the very start of your degree through the our dedicated careers support within the department.

2. Ghostwriting and Editing

Professional writers can generate income by offering ghostwriting services. This involves writing content on behalf of clients, and proofreading/editing work for publication. This could be in the form of novels, blogging, speech and presentations, social media content, digital newsletters, academic writing, corporate communications and podcast scriptwriting. The list grows.

3. Book sales, Royalties, and Advances

If you're into stories, being a novelist, or author can bring in royalties and advances. As a novelist or author, your primary source of income is likely to be generated from book sales. Traditional publishing houses and self-publishing platforms offer different royalty structures. The more copies you sell, the higher your earnings.

4. Screenplay Sales, Options, and Content Licensing

If you're a scriptwriter, selling your screenplay to film or television producers can be lucrative. Alternatively, you might receive payment for an option, granting a producer the right to purchase the script later. Scriptwriters may also license content for various platforms, including streaming services, which can be a source of ongoing income. Licensing agreements may provide royalties or upfront payments.

5. Public Speaking and Events

Authors often earn money by participating in speaking engagements, book tours, or events. Public appearances, workshops, and panel discussions can be sponsored or paid opportunities. If you are keen to build a personal brand, you can build your exposure in certain industries, become a thought leader and increase your earning potential as a subject specialist.

6. Writing Competitions and Grants

Many organisations and institutions offer writing competitions and grants. Winning or securing these opportunities can provide cash prizes, publication deals, or financial support for your writing projects. They may not be your primary source of income, but freelancers are likely to diversify their income so it's important to become savvy to different financial opportunities.

7. Self-Publishing and Merchandising

If you choose to self-publish, you retain more control over your work. Additionally, authors can explore merchandising opportunities related to their books, such as branded merchandise or special editions.

8. Crowdfunding

Some writers turn to crowdfunding platforms to finance their projects. Supporters contribute funds in exchange for rewards, early access to content, or exclusive perks.

9. Content Creation Services and Affiliate Marketing

If you're interested in digital content marketing and E-learning, you can earn money in digital product sales, online course sales, consultancy, and through affiliate marketing channels. Affiliate marketing is a great way to diversify your income, providing support to your main income stream. With a larger engaged audience, the more opportunity to grow your affiliate income.

10. Employment

If you go down the employment route, your salary will depend on where you work. Certain jobs often follow a salary framework, for example the publishing sector, education sector, and Civil Service. Agency work will likely give you many opportunities to work your way up the ladder, earning commissions and gaining more income with each promotion, and some industries could pay six figures plus if your role sits at a high level.

For more insights into the money side of things, check job boards such as Indeed , LinkedIn , and Upwork .

The takeaway

As you grow your skills and experience as a writer and increase your exposure, the more you can boost your earning power. In today's world of remote working, emerging industries are increasingly turning to writers to help drive business growth in new and innovative ways. Finding that sweet spot between freelancing and traditional employment is more achievable than ever, and is comforting for many graduates who want to find the balance between security in employment, and exploring their creative impulses. Many writers are taking full advantage of these opportunities and exploring the possibilities with open, curious minds. 

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer; the decision is entirely yours. There's no better time to explore your options than during your creative writing degree.

Considering a creative writing degree?

Creative Writing Lead, Dr James Canton  teaches on our flagship BA Creative Writing degree. Here's what he has to say about what it's like to study a writing degree at the University of Essex.

"Creative writing is the imaginative narration of our world. As writers we respond to societal issues such as climate change, AI, social justice, mental health, in a way that is powerful, personal and poignant. At Essex, we value an inclusive, supportive environment that challenges you to achieve your best as a writer and student. Your degree involves research, independent study as well as building up to professional levels of craft and technique in all kinds of writing, by way of creative and imaginative exercises. If you have an interest in writing, come and meet us on one of our Colchester Campus Open Days  and get a taste of our writing community."

Dr James Canton, Senior Lecturer, Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, University of Essex.

About the Author:

Alexandra Stephens

Faculty Web and Promotions Assistant (Arts and Humanities), University of Essex

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Creative writing Jobs

Found 84 jobs in this campaign.

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Junior Writer

• Competitive
• HERE DESIGN

You share our love of language and are passionate about writing.

View details Junior Writer

• 2 days left
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Secret Cinema Theatre Director / Creative Director (Fixed Term Contract)

• London (Greater)
• TODAYTIX GROUP

We are seeking outstanding applicants of all backgrounds to join our team to bring new voices, talent, and perspectives to the table.

View details Secret Cinema Theatre Director / Creative Director (Fixed Term Contract)

• 18 days ago
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Community Engagement Coordinator (Fixed Term)

• Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
• £32,332-£38,205
• UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

Are you a self-motivated and creative person who is passionate about developing communities formed around research, technology and knowledge exchange?

View details Community Engagement Coordinator (Fixed Term)

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• London, GB-ENG
• GUARDIAN NEWS AND MEDIA

We are now recruiting a Strategist (12 month FTC) to join our Guardian Labs team.

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Communications Manager

• London (Central), London (Greater)
• £41,000 - £44,100 pa plus 7.5% employers pension contribution
• ST JAMES CHURCH PICCADILLY

Seeking an experienced Communications Manager to coordinate our messaging connecting the church with those who know us and those who don't yet.

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Senior Social Media & Digital Content Officer

• £40,326 per annum
• DRINKAWARE TRUST

The role leads the delivery of our social media strategy & supports our Creative Content Lead to deliver Drinkaware’s multimedia content strategy.

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Head of Education and Community

• Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
• £38,000 to £42,000
• THE EVERYMAN THEATRE COMPANY

Responsible for leading an experienced and enthusiastic team to deliver a wide range of education and community initiatives in the County.

View details Head of Education and Community

• 4 days left
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Project Lawyer

• Up to £47,000 + benefits
• INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION

You will be involved in various global commercial projects including but not limited to Business & Human Rights and ESG.

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Fundraising Co-ordinator

• Bristol (with hybrid working, spending at least three days per week at the main office)
• £24,400 - £26,354 per annum

Our client is looking for a Fundraising Co-ordinator to join their team in Bristol, earning up to £26,354 per annum.

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HR Officer (Maternity Cover)

• £40,000 FTE per annum
• THE COMPLETE WORKS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

We are seeking to recruit an experienced HR Officer (Mat cover) to join our central HR team!!

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Trusts Fundraiser

• Stokenchurch
• £29,121 - £33,417 per annum

Contract type: Permanent Hours: 37.5 hrs per week Salary: £29,121 - £33,417 per annum Location: Stokenchurch Our client is one of

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• 15 days ago
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Senior Consultant: Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Research

• Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the London office)
• £40-60k depending on experience, plus a discretionary annual bonus
• FUTURE ADVOCACY

This is a great opportunity to be thrown in at the deep end in a small, dynamic organisation that places a strong focus on development.

View details Senior Consultant: Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Research

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Graduate PR Assistant, Professional Services

• £25k plus benefits
• ALEXANDER JAMES RECRUITMENT LTD

Graduates needed for a professional services PR agency in Clerkenwell. Great training and career potential, along with a starting salary of £25k

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Business Development Executive

• Up to £45,000 per annum + benefits
• WORLD TELEVISION LTD

Our business requires an experienced and methodical Business Development Executive to focus on lead generation in the UK.

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Account Manager/Senior Account Manager, Financial Services PR

• £30 - 35k plus benefits

AM/SAM role in a consultative, financial services agency. Excellent salary, benefits and prospects. Driven, cohesive team and the business is growing!

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• 16 days ago
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Press Officer (12 months FTC)

• £38,623 - £41,000 per annum + 3% flex fund after 3 months
• LAW SOCIETY

This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and talented individual to join a busy and high-profile media relations team.

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Volunteer Peer Support Group Lead

• Leek, Staffordshire
• Unpaid role, expenses will be reimbursed
• RETHINK MENTAL ILLNESS

Amazing, giving, inspiring and awesome are just a few of the words we would use to describe our volunteers. Our volunteers play an integral part in...

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Campaigns Officer

• London/Hybrid
• £33,715.76 per annum
• YMCA ENGLAND & WALES

If you are passionate about youth issues such as homelessness, youth services & mental health, then we need you!

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Marketing Executive

• Northampton
• £26000.00 - £29000.00 Per Annum
• GET STAFFED ONLINE RECRUITMENT LIMITED

Marketing Executive Northampton £26,000 - £29,000 per annum About our client Our Client is a marketing agency passionate about crafting im

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• 10 days ago
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Digital Campaigns Specialist

• Home-based UK
• £34,000.00 - £37,000.00 Per Annum

Our client is looking for a home based Digital Campaigns Specialist to join their team, earning up to £37,000 per annum.

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Top jobs with an English and creative writing degree

Find out what you could do with a degree in English and creative writing and discover some of the jobs Surrey English and creative writing graduates have secured over the past few years.

"We aim to help you express yourself clearly and effectively and memorably, to provide you with experience developing engaging stories or poems or critical arguments, and to sharpen your analytic skills when it comes engaging with the writing of others." –  Dr Paul Vlitos, Programme Leader for English Literature and Creative Writing

Our courses will encourage you to develop your linguistic and cultural skills through exciting and innovative approaches to learning, as well as giving you the opportunity to study and work abroad. Surrey graduates are highly sought after, with 93 per cent in work or further education 15 months after graduating (Graduate Outcomes report 2021). This was a key factor in Surrey being named  University of the Year for Graduate Employment  in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.

Should you wish to pursue further study, our courses will provide you with essential knowledge and skills, as well as offering informed support and guidance to assist you in your studies.

Careers with an English and creative writing degree

A degree in English and creative writing equips you with a wide range of transferable skills that will prepare you for many rewarding careers.

Jobs directly related to an English and creative writing degree include:

• Advertising copywriter
• Creative director
• Digital copywriter
• Editorial assistant
• Web content manager.

However, a degree in English and creative writing will also enable you to gain skills that would be highly relevant in other, more unexpected roles. These include:

• Concept artist
• Information officer
• Marketing executive
• Public relations officer
• Social media manager

" I am currently Head of Marketing for The Stag Magazine, and Assistant Director for the Surrey New Writers’ Festival. Both experiences have taught me new skills and led me to work with some amazing people. " –  Leon Lynn, BA English Literature with Creative Writing

English and creative writing graduate jobs

In recent years, our English graduates have secured roles including:

• Graduate Trainee, Dale Carnegie Training
• Editorial Assistant, The Handbook
• Junior Account Executive, Livewire Public Relations
• Teacher of English, Teach First
• Editor and Marketing Executive, Warner Group Publications
• Editorial Assistant, Hachette UK
• Copywriter, Tesco MPC.

" A Professional Training placement provides such valuable experience which would be difficult to get otherwise. If I had any advice for others considering a placement, it would be to say yes to every opportunity. I’ve definitely developed a huge range of skills, both in my degree and on my placement year, that will make me a valuable asset to a workplace. "  –  Emma Brine, BA English Literature

​​​​​Discover more about our  English and creative writing degrees , our award-winning  Professional Training placement scheme and  student life at Surrey .

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What to do with an English, Literature and Creative Writing degree

Explore the careers you might be interested in going into after studying an English, Literature and Creative Writing degree.

What can you do with an undergraduate English, Literature and Creative Writing degree?

From English literature to creative writing, whichever English-based degree you choose to do, you'll graduate with a wealth of skills to prepare you for most careers.  Find out more about our courses and course content .

Already at Sussex? Visit our careers site .

What jobs can you get with an undergraduate English, Literature and Creative Writing degree?

Jobs may include, but are not limited to:

• [jobs in] the arts
• [jobs in] the civil service
• content editor
• digital content officer or manager
• editorial assistant
• marketing executive
• [jobs in] media
• [jobs in] the museum sector
• proofreader
• public relations officer
• publishing editor
• social media officer or manager

If you haven’t studied a degree yet, and you’re considering an English, Literature and Creative Writing course, you may want to browse our: 

• undergraduate English, Literature and Creative Writing courses
• Masters English, Literature and Creative Writing degrees . 

You may develop skills including:

• critical assessment (t he ability to examine and appraise your own or others’ work based on careful analytical evaluation)
• written communication
• independent thinking
• motivation (h aving the incentive, drive and positive will power to achieve your goals)
• problem-solving
• self-awareness (b eing aware of your own views and opinions, and any bias within these).

At Sussex, you can further develop your  study skills  by signing up for a range of workshops, tutorials and online resources.

Work experience and placements

You can gain work experience by doing a placement with an organisation. 

At Sussex, during your degree, you can choose to apply for one of the below: 

• a professional placement
• an integrated placement if it is a requirement for a course.

This may help you gain skills and work experience before you graduate.  Find out more about placements and internships at Sussex . 

You might also want to look for work experience opportunities in your own time at:

• digital agencies
• local newspapers or magazines
• national newspapers or magazines 
• marketing agencies
• media organisations
• press and communications offices
• public relations offices
• publishing companies

What can you do with a Masters in English, Literature and Creative Writing?

You might want to pursue a career in any of the  above jobs . Or you could think about continuing your education further.

At Sussex, we offer research (PhD) degrees in the following subject areas: 

• English, Literature and Creative Writing
• Drama and Theatre Studies . 

You may then be able to go into an academic career, including roles such as:

• higher education lecturer 
• professor. 

For more information about careers after an English, Literature and Creative Writing degree, see the  Prospects  website.

If you’re a current Sussex student, see more advice from our  careers section .

What do you want to do next?

• study with us Explore our courses at Sussex
• support Find out more about careers
• subject See our English, Literature and Creative Writing courses
• visit us Come to an Open Day

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• Home: Explore careers

Alternative titles for this job include Author

Writers create written work such as books, scripts, poems, blogs and technical guides.

Average salary (a year)

Typical hours (a week).

37 to 39 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

How to become writer.

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• volunteering
• applying directly
• specialist training or self-teaching

You'll need a high level of writing skill and talent. To develop these skills, you could get a qualification like a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• creative writing
• communication and media
• English language or literature
• creative and professional writing

You could also do a postgraduate writing course to get into this career.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

Volunteering

You can do several things to develop your writing skills and learn more about the world of publishing. These include:

• joining a local writers' group
• entering writing competitions
• blogging online

Direct Application

You might be able to apply directly for technical writer jobs in industries like engineering or pharmaceuticals, if you've got the relevant background and qualifications.

Experience in journalism could also help you to get into travel or broadcast writing.

Other Routes

You could work in TV or radio as a scriptwriter. BBC Writersroom has information, advice and workshops on writing and submitting scripts.

You may be able to publish and sell your work without formal training or qualifications, if you're exceptionally talented and have taught yourself. A literary agent may be able to help you with this.

Career tips

You'll need:

• creative ideas that will sell
• good research skills
• the ability to express ideas in a style suited to your intended audience

You'll also need to have confidence in your writing, be able to accept criticism and remain positive.

You'll need a portfolio of your work to show to employers and commissioning editors.

Further information

You'll find more advice about careers in writing through the National Association of Writers' Groups .

The Poetry Society and Writers & Artists have more details on writing competitions.

Writers & Artists also has industry advice on being a writer and submitting work for publishing or self-publishing. It publishes the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, which has information on literary agents, publishers, newspapers and magazines.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge.

• knowledge of English language
• excellent written communication skills
• persistence and determination
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• knowledge of media production and communication
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

What you'll do, day-to-day tasks.

In this role you could:

• choose a subject based on personal interest, or at the request of an agent or publisher
• come up with ideas, plots or content headings
• research information using the internet, libraries, site visits and personal interviews
• develop your story, article, blog, review or instruction manual
• submit your draft to a publisher or editor
• revise your work after getting feedback
• upload your work to websites or social media, or look for publishing opportunities
• attend book signings, readings and discussions of your work
• run writing workshops

Working environment

You could work in an office or from home.

Career path and progression

You could self-publish, in traditional print format, online or through e-books.

You might be able to promote your work by entering literary competitions, become a book critic or teach creative writing in colleges.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships in england.

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Writer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Creative writing.

• Provider: WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
• Start date: 25 September 2024
• Location: Worcester
• Provider: HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL
• Start date: 05 September 2024
• Location: Widnes

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MA Creative Writing

The MA in Creative Writing at Bristol is designed for writers who would like to begin publishing their work. In warm, supportive workshops, you will be helped to improve your writing and in lectures and seminars you will increase your understanding of the industrial and critical contexts of contemporary literature.

You will be taught industry-focused content by experienced published writers. A special unit will introduce you to issues in contemporary publishing. Guest writers and experts from industry will speak, bringing up-to-date knowledge and expertise to the course. We also work closely with local writing groups and writing initiatives. You will work with a professional writer one-on-one as your manuscript develops.

Welcomed into the University's prestigious Department of English , you will be taught by groundbreaking researchers about contemporary critical issues in literature. You will be encouraged to read widely and books will be suggested for you by faculty. At the end of the course, you should be able to speak confidently and intelligently about your work and your reading.

Twilight teaching allows people with working or caring responsibilities to study - as do the part-time options. A strong writing portfolio will allow access without a first degree in a related subject - or indeed without a first degree. Times of classes will be announced well in advance, so that students can accommodate study in their busy lives.

On demand academic talks

Hear directly from an academic giving you a deeper insight into this programme.

Programme structure

For full-time students, in the first term:

• Workshop One (20 credits)
• Critical Issues in Contemporary Literature (20 credits)
• Exploration for Creative Dissertations (20 credits).

In the second term:

• Workshop Two (20 credits)
• Critical Issues in Contemporary Publishing (20 credits)
• Planning a Creative Dissertation (20 Credits).

This is followed by the Creative Dissertation (60 Credits) over the summer period.

Two years part-time study requires attendance at one seminar in the first teaching block (TB1) and one seminar in the second teaching block (TB2). In the second year, the two years part-time study option requires attendance at one seminar in TB1, one seminar in TB2, and tutorials over the summer period.

Three years part-time study requires attendance at one seminar in TB1 and one seminar in TB2 in the first year. In the second year, it again requires attendance at one seminar in TB1 and one seminar in TB2. The third year of study requires the student to attend tutorials only.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MA Creative Writing.

World-leading research

The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK ( Times Higher Education ).

94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry requirements

Places are offered on the basis of a portfolio of writing. We are looking for writers with potential to soon begin publishing their work. It is helpful, but not essential, for the applicant to have some idea of the project they hope to undertake during the course of the degree. Evidence of prior study in the area, a long-standing writing practice, workshop experience, and extensive reading can also strengthen the application. However, the most essential element of the application is the writing itself. We are currently only accepting submissions for fiction, creative non fiction (for example, memoir) and poetry. The portfolio should be no longer than 20 pages of fiction or creative non-fiction (double spaced, 12-point font) or 8-10 pages of poetry.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our  profile level A.

Further information about  English language requirements and profile levels .

Fees and funding

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support .

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.  Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

MyWorld Scholarships: UK offer holders for this programme may be eligible for a scholarship of up to £5,000 towards their tuition fees. Information about eligibility and the application process can be found on the MyWorld website . 

Creative Writing is among the subjects eligible for funding from the Postgraduate Master's Loan . The Faculty of Arts also offers funding opportunities for taught and research programmes.

International students are encouraged to apply for the Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship .

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MA in Creative Writing often enter portfolio careers, where creative writing becomes only one element of their income. Other elements may include:

• workshop delivery
• proofreading

The close-reading skills developed on a master's in Creative Writing can also prepare graduates for careers in publishing. Advanced skills in understanding nuance and tone have helped graduates secure work in business communications, marketing and corporate social media.

How to apply

Apply via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.

Overseas applicants: 10 July 2024. Home applicants: 26 July 2024.

Please note that due to high demand, some programmes may close earlier than advertised. Early applications are advised to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and allocated on a continuous basis from September 2023 until all places are filled.

Faculty of Arts

School of Humanities

Department of English

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• Writing Tips

The 6 Best UK Universities for Creative Writing Degrees

• 13-minute read
• 24th February 2023

A creative writing degree can unlock your potential and give you access to a world of career and writing opportunities. So if you’re an avid writer looking to develop your skills , a university-level degree might be the perfect next step.

But with so many options for studying creative writing in the UK, you might be wondering where (and how) to start. Your course and university choice could impact the skills you develop, the connections you make, and the direction in which your career takes off.

That’s why, in this post, we break down what a creative writing degree is, explain what you need to look out for when choosing a university, and finally, offer an overview of some of the best UK universities for creative writing degrees.

When you’re done reading, we hope you’ll be one step closer to starting your ideal creative writing degree.

What Is a Creative Writing Degree?

A creative writing degree is an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in creative writing. The degree may focus on creative writing alone, or an institution may combine creative writing with related subjects, such as English language and literature, film studies, or journalism.

The purpose of a creative writing degree is to help students develop their writing skills, establish their authorial voice, and equip themselves with an understanding of different writing styles and techniques. Degree material may also cover practical concerns, such as how the publishing industry works.

Entry requirements for a creative writing course vary, but most institutions will ask for an A-level or the equivalent in English language and/or literature. Creative writing programs cover many forms of writing and can include modules in:

●  Prose

●  Nonfiction

●  Poetry

●  Scriptwriting

●  Writing for an online audience

●  Narrative theory

●  The creative process

●  Getting published

●  Teaching creative writing

As they progress through the course, creative writing students will produce essays alongside a portfolio of creative work, which they will then submit for assessment.

The Benefits of a Creative Writing Degree

While you don’t need a creative writing degree to publish your work, having one can provide you with unique benefits and career opportunities. Creative writing students can expect to:

●  Work with published authors and literary professionals

●  Develop contacts within the publishing industry

●  Experience dealing with and responding to feedback

●  Encounter opportunities to publish their work and establish a reputation as a writer

●  Explore the theory behind writing in depth

You will also develop transferable talents such as time management, communication skills, and self-discipline. These will help you develop your career and stand out to potential employers.

Career Opportunities for Creative Writing Graduates

Becoming an author might be the most obvious career path for creative writing graduates, but you can access plenty of other career choices with your degree. Potential careers include:

●  Editorial assistant

●  Copy editor

●  Publisher

●  Literary agent

●  Copywriter

●  Marketing assistant

●  Journalist

●  Teacher

●  English or creative writing lecturer

Things to Consider When Choosing a University

When you choose a creative writing degree, you’re also choosing the university where you will study. Each institution has its own benefits and approaches, so to make sure you select the right university for you, consider the following factors.

Location and Campus Culture

Some universities are campus-based; that is, lecture halls, accommodations, entertainment, and other facilities are all located in one place. Other institutions are spread across the town or city where they are based.

Each location will have its own atmosphere, so visiting for an open day will help you get a better idea of what attending that university would be like. You should also consider how far away from home you want to study and how easily you can travel between your university and your hometown.

The faculty members of different universities will have their own specialist subjects, research interests, and writing experience. Look for a university where the faculty members specialize in areas of writing you’re interested in. Doing so is especially important if you’re pursuing a PhD in creative writing, as you’ll need to find an appropriate PhD supervisor.

Available Resources and Facilities

While most universities are equipped with a well-stocked library, some may be more suited than others to your subject. A university library that specializes in the humanities, for example, will complement a creative writing degree well.

A university publishing press can also be a useful resource that provides work and publishing opportunities for creative writing students. University publications and magazines are good places to submit writing as well.

Professional Connections and Internships

Some universities incorporate internships into their creative writing degrees. The internships are work placements that will provide you with on-the-job skills and experience and can help you develop professional connections within the publishing industry.

1. University of East Anglia

The University of East Anglia (or UEA) was the first university in the UK to offer degree-level courses in creative writing, introducing an MA in creative writing in 1970, then following suit with the first creative writing PhD in 1987.

UEA’s courses combine creative writing with the study of literature or drama at an undergraduate level. Each of the university’s postgraduate courses focuses on a particular form of writing, such as fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.

Based in Norwich, a UNESCO City of Literature , UEA is able to provide a variety of resources and opportunities for creative writing students, including:

●  The National Centre for Writing and the British Archive for Contemporary Writing

●  The UEA Publishing Project , which runs three publishing presses and publishes student writing in an annual anthology

●  The UEA Award , which helps employers recognize students’ achievements

●  A variety of writing fellowships

●  Year-round literary events and festivals for students and published authors, such as UEA Live and the Norwich Crime Fiction Festival

Notable UEA alumni include Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro and Booker Prize winner Anne Enright .

2. University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is one of the UK’s largest universities and belongs to the Russell Group . Leeds is a campus university, but it’s close to the center of the city.

Leeds offers an interdisciplinary BA in English Literature with Creative Writing , an MA in Creative Writing or Writing for Performance and Digital Media , and research degrees within the School of English or the School of Performance and Cultural Industries.

At the undergraduate level, Leeds offers a diverse range of creative writing modules (including science fiction, crime fiction, nature writing, and travel writing). Published writers and expert researchers teach all these modules.

The university has connections with a variety of creative writing projects, institutions, and festivals, including:

●  Ilkley Literature Festival

●  Leeds Playhouse

●  Leeds Grand Theatre

●  Leeds Poetry Centre

●  The School of Night , a fortnightly poetry seminar

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●  Brotherton Library, which features extensive archives and a collection of period printing presses

Leeds also has its own theater space, stage@leeds , and publishes the literary magazine Stand , both of which showcase students’ creative work. Notable Leeds alumni include playwright Wole Syonka and poet Geoffrey Hill . The university was also home to author J.R.R. Tolkien, who was a professor in the School of English and contributed poetry to the university’s newsletter.

3. University of Birmingham

Established in the West Midlands in 1900, the University of Birmingham is another campus-based Russell Group university.

Birmingham ranked first for creative writing in the Guardian University Guide 2023 . The university offers a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing or in Film and Creative Writing and an MA in Creative Writing.

The university’s creative writing modules and courses focus on exposing students to a broad range of writing styles and genres while offering workshops and professional skills training aimed at preparing students for the publishing industry.

The university also works closely with the local creative community to provide students with a range of opportunities, including:

●  The Cultural Intern Scheme

●  The Birmingham Project

●  Publishing opportunities with Nine Arches Press and Tindal Street Press

In addition, Birmingham runs the world-renowned Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, where students can experience unique writing workshops and a residential trip featuring seminars, theater visits, and other events.

For graduating students, the university currently boasts a 90% employment rate within 15 months. Birmingham is the UK’s fourth-most targeted university among the top employers of graduates.

4. University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is a slightly newer university, first offering courses in 1965. Based just outside the city of Coventry, the University of Warwick is a campus university. It is home to the Warwick Arts Centre , a purpose-built facility for cinema, theater, and the visual arts.

The Warwick Writing Program provides the creative writing courses at Warwick. Established in 1996, the project aims to inspire and develop writers internationally. Published authors, poets, and literary translators make up the staff.

Within the program, students can pursue a BA in English and Creative Writing or an MA in Writing . Students can pursue the MA as either a taught degree or a long project, with the aim of producing a long-form piece of writing.

The University of Warwick provides opportunities for students and graduates, such as:

●  The Warwick Prize for Women in Translation

●  The Sunday Times Young Writer Award

●  Workshops at the Warwick Arts Centre

●  Warwick Thursdays (weekly events hosted by publishing industry experts)

●  The option to study abroad for one year

Warwick’s alumni include novelist Sophie Mackintosh , as well as Gboyega Odubanjo and Michael Askew, winners of the Eric Gregory Award.

5. University of Reading

The University of Reading is a 100-year-old institution spread across multiple campuses. It ranks in the top 30 British universities.

Reading offers one of the most diverse and flexible ranges of undergraduate creative writing degrees in the UK. Prospective students can choose to pursue the following BAs:

●  English Literature with Creative Writing

●  Creative Writing and Film

●  Creative Writing and Theatre

●  Creative Writing and Film & Theatre

●  Art and Creative Writing

An MA in Creative Writing is also available and includes modules in the publishing industry and persuasive writing to help students find careers in publishing and journalism.

Reading is home to the Archive of British Publishing and Printing and provides access to collections of rare books and manuscripts that enable students to explore the creative process of famous authors, such as Thomas Hardy. Students also have the opportunity to publish their work in The Canvas , Reading’s online magazine.

6. University of Strathclyde

Based in the center of Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, the University of Strathclyde is a multi-award-winning university. And when it comes to creative writing, Strathclyde offers some unique areas of study for undergraduates , including Scottish literature and the Glasgow novel.

Strathclyde also offers postgraduate courses. As the university is Scottish, it offers a Master of Letters ( MLitt ) and a Master of Research ( M. Res .) in place of the more common MA in creative writing. MLitt creative writing students can choose to specialize in a research area and placement of their choice or take a module from other subjects within the School of Humanities.

The University of Strathclyde offers students numerous resources, opportunities, and connections across Glasgow. These include:

●  The Aye Right! Book Festival

●  Blaze , the university’s online creative writing classes

●  Creative Scotland

Strathclyde’s alumni include authors Ali Smith and Andrew O’Hagan . Among the current faculty members are screenwriter Andrew Meehan and poet David Kinloch .

To recap the main points of this post:

●  A creative writing degree will help you develop your writing skills, often in tandem with cultivating critical reading skills.

●  Creative writing degrees offer a variety of modules and allow you to specialize in a particular form or genre.

●  A creative writing degree can open many potential career paths.

●  The most important things to consider when choosing a university at which to study creative writing are location, staff, resources, and professional opportunities.

●  Six of the best universities for creative writing degrees in the UK are the University of East Anglia, the University of Leeds, the University of Birmingham, the University of Warwick, the University of Reading, and the University of Strathclyde.

●  Many of these universities offer lectures, workshops, and seminars delivered by published authors.

Whichever university you decide to attend, make sure it’s the right one for you. Look for modules you’re interested in, writing forms you’d like to explore, opportunities you want to make the most of, and a university atmosphere you’ll thrive in.

And if you’re looking for more options, take a look at the Complete University Guide’s 2023 rankings for creative writing .

What types of degrees can I receive in creative writing?

As an undergraduate, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in creative writing. As a postgraduate, you can earn a Master of Arts (MA) degree or a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD).

If you’re studying in Scotland, the types of degrees may differ slightly.

How do I know whether I have what it takes to pursue a degree in creative writing?

Before accepting you for a creative writing degree, most universities will require that you have certain A-level or equivalent grades. But academic achievements aren’t everything. If you’re looking to pursue a degree in creative writing, it’s helpful to have:

●  An avid interest in reading (and, of course, writing!)

●  A portfolio to demonstrate your writing

●  The ability to meet deadlines

Be prepared to work hard, but remember, the point of a creative writing degree is to help develop your writing skills and style. You don’t have to be a perfect, polished writer to be a creative writing student!

Can I pursue a creative writing degree online?

Yes, many universities now offer online versions of creative writing degrees. This means you will be able to earn the same qualification by studying online as you would if you studied in person.

However, be careful to choose a properly accredited online creative writing degree.

Where can I get feedback on my university application?

A professional proofreader or editor is the best choice for getting feedback on your application.

Our team here at Proofed can help make sure your university application is clear and correct and meets the appropriate academic standards so that you can focus on preparing for university life.

We can even proofread the first 500 words for free – so why not submit a document ?

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English literature and creative writing

What's on this page, study options, chat to a current english literature and creative writing student.

• Subjects it's useful to have studied first

Careers: Where it can take you

Getting in: entry requirements, other subjects you may be interested in, considering an apprenticeship, explore further, application advice.

Studying English literature and creative writing engrosses you in literary masterpieces and builds essential skills that are sought after in the professional world. It encourages critical thinking, analytical skills, and effective communication, creating storytellers and perceptive interpreters of cultural differences.

The comprehensive understanding of language, narrative structures, and different genres equips graduates for a variety of career paths. Whether looking at roles in publishing, journalism, content creation, marketing, or education, graduates will have the ability to craft compelling narratives and adapt to different communication styles.

Beyond traditional careers, the creative and analytical skills gained prepare you for roles in digital media, advertising, and even entrepreneurship, where the power of persuasive storytelling is essential. 

• Be a social commentator, addressing issues such as social justice, inequality, and human rights.
• Bring fresh perspectives to the world by inspiring innovative solutions and encouraging others to think creatively.
• Share stories and build connections that contribute to the overall wellbeing of society.
• Literature in theory
• Modern world literatures
• Creative thinking
• Shakespeare
• American poetry
• Modes of reading
• Contemporary fiction

Options to study in this field include:

• undergraduate courses
• apprenticeships

Chat to a current English literature and creative writing student using UniBuddy.

Some conversation starters for you:

• Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
• Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
• Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
• Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
• Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?

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Subjects it's useful to have studied first

Second year english literature and creative writing student, university of lincoln.

• Ability to critically analyse and interpret literary texts
• Close reading skills
• Development of characters, plot structures and dialogue
• Analyse arguments and evaluate evidence
• Critical thinking
• Written communication
• Storytelling

Career options

Journalist, newspaper and periodical editors  

Authors, writers and translators  

Web content professionals

Advertising account managers

Public relations professionals

Customer service managers and supervisors

Human resources and industrial relations officers

Business and related research professionals

Research and development managers

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What is a… story consultant.

Find out more about what you'll need to study English literature and creative writing at university or as an apprenticeship.

Average requirements for undergraduate degrees

Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from English literature and creative writing applicants.

The expert view

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Where to apply

Apply to university and apprenticeships, find out more, watch film adaptations, get inspired.

• Don’t be afraid to shout about your love for literature by sharing specific books, authors, or literary movements that have inspired and influenced you.
• Highlight any experiences you have in creative writing. Mention workshops, writing groups, or personal projects that showcase your dedication to improving your craft. Share insights into your writing process and the genres or styles you’re drawn to.
• Share the breadth of your reading habits by mentioning a diverse range of genres, cultures, and time periods.
• Prove your strong communication skills, both written and verbal. This is crucial for success in both academic writing and creative expression.
• Have you explored your creativity outside of writing? Maybe you’ve acted in a play or experimented with visual arts.

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Explore courses

English Literature and Creative Writing

University of Gloucestershire

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Cheltenham · 23/09/2024

Tariff points: 96/96

Aberystwyth University

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Bangor University

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Tariff points: 96/128

University of Brighton

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Brighton · 23/09/2024

Tariff points: 104/120

University of Central Lancashire

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Preston · 23/09/2024

Tariff points: 104/112

Lancaster University

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Lancaster · 10/2024

Tariff points: 136/144

Northumbria University, Newcastle

BA (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time with time abroad · Newcastle upon Tyne · 23/09/2024

Tariff points: 112/112

University of Surrey

BA (Hons) · 4 Years · Sandwich · Guildford · 09/2024

Tariff points: N/A

University of Birmingham

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Birmingham · 30/09/2024

Cardiff Metropolitan University

PgCert · 1 Year · Full-time · Cardiff · 09/2024

University of Kent

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Canterbury · 14/09/2024

Liverpool John Moores University

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Liverpool · 16/09/2024

Tariff points: 72/72

Staffordshire University

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Stoke-on-Trent · 23/09/2024

Tariff points: 112/120

Cardiff University

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Cardiff · 23/09/2024

University of Hertfordshire

BA (Hons) · 4 Years · Sandwich · Hatfield · 09/2024

Keele University

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Keele · 23/09/2024

University of Warwick

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Coventry · 23/09/2024

English Literature and Creative Writing (Q86)

Open University

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English Literature

Canterbury Christ Church University

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Canterbury · 09/2024

University of Glasgow

MA (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time · Glasgow · 16/09/2024

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Creative Writing MSc

Awards: MSc

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Creative Writing

The community has been one of my favourite parts. The department has very warm and encouraging staff. Some of my classmates are now close friends, and we still workshop stories across time zones, and complain to each other about writing - and not writing! Bhavika Govil, prize-winning fiction writer MSc in Creative Writing, 2020

Introduction to Postgraduate Study at the University of Edinburgh

Join us online on 25 September to learn more about Scotland, the city of Edinburgh and postgraduate study at the University.

Find out more and register

Programme description

Based in the first UNESCO World City of Literature, this one-year, full-time taught Masters programme is tailored towards your practice in either fiction or poetry.

There is a strong practical element to the programme, helping you develop your creative skills through:

• presenting your work for peer discussion
• hearing from guest writers and other professionals on the practicalities of life as a writer

You will also sharpen your critical skills through:

• seminars exploring the particulars of your chosen form
• option courses in literature, helping you move from theoretical considerations to practical applications

The programme culminates with the publication of ‘From Arthur’s Seat,’ an anthology of student work.

Why Edinburgh

Literature has been taught here for over 250 years, and today Edinburgh thrives on its designation as the first UNESCO World City of Literature. The city is home to the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Poetry Library, and a number of celebrated publishing outlets, from Canongate and Polygon, to Luath Press, Birlinn and Mariscat. The University hosts the prestigious James Tait Black Awards, established in 1919 and one of the oldest literary prizes in Britain.

There are lots of opportunities to write and share your work, from ‘The Student,’ the UK’s oldest student newspaper (founded in 1887 by Robert Louis Stevenson), to The Selkie, which was founded by Creative Writing students in 2018 to showcase work by people who self-identify as underrepresented.

Around the city, you will find:

• library readings and bookshop launches
• spoken word gigs
• cabaret nights
• poetry slams

Edinburgh isn’t just historic – it’s a modern hub for literature. That’s part of what makes the city great for writing.

Austin Crowley, MSc in Creative Writing, 2023

We team teach our programme so that you benefit from the input of a range of tutors, as well as your fellow students and our Writer in Residence, the poet and author Michael Pedersen, who also co-ordinates a range of student writing prizes and our annual industry and networking event.

The academic staff you will be working with are all active researchers or authors, including well-published and prize-winning writers of poetry, prose fiction and drama. They include:

• Dr Jane Alexander - Fiction
• Dr Lynda Clark
• Dr Patrick Errington - Poetry/Fiction
• Dr Miriam Gamble - Poetry
• Professor Alan Gillis - Poetry
• Dr Jane McKie - Poetry
• Dr Allyson Stack - Fiction
• Kim Sherwood - Fiction
• Alice Thompson - Fiction

Programme structure

Over the duration of the programme, you will:

• take two core courses, both worth 40 credits
• two optional courses chosen from a wide range of subjects, both worth 20 credits

The core activities in Creative Writing are:

• tutor-led workshops, in which you will present your work-in-progress and critique the work of your fellow students
• regular seminars exploring techniques and issues specific to your practice (either fiction or poetry) and the statements and theories of practitioners

Optional courses

We have a large number of option courses to choose from, including preferred courses for fiction and poetry (which will be offered to Creative Writing students in the first instance), and courses from across the Department of English Literature and the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures.

Visiting speakers

Throughout the programme, you will be expected to attend readings and talks by visiting speakers. Early on, these will be from published writers and, later, advisors from the writing business: literary agents, magazine editors and publishers.

Dissertation

The final element of the programme is your dissertation, a piece of creative writing (worth 60 credits) written with the advice and support of a designated supervisor.

Fiction dissertations are between 15,000 words and 20,000 words, and poetry dissertations between 25 and 30 pages.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• identify, conceptualise and define formal elements of craft in your chosen field (poetry or fiction) within published works and within works by your peers
• remain open to criticism and respond effectively and creatively to feedback on your own creative work
• work from initial conception through multiple drafts to the final version of a creative piece within your chosen field (fiction or poetry)
• transfer editorial skills and creative abilities from one context to another
• analyse creative works within your chosen field (fiction or poetry), work with a focus on craft effectiveness, and articulate strengths and weaknesses in a piece of writing in a constructive manner

Career opportunities

Over the course of this programme, you will complete a body of creative work that has been rigorously peer reviewed.

Our students go on to careers in a wide variety of fields, including:

• arts administration
• web and audio book editing
• script and ghost writing
• gaming narrative design

Some decide to extend their studies and take a PhD with us.

Many of our alumni go on to achieve literary success, publishing novels and short story and poetry collections, and winning awards. Our graduates’ recent successes include:

debut novels from:

• Amanda Block (The Lost Storyteller, published by Hodder Studio)
• Karin Nordin (Where Ravens Roost, published by Harper Collins)
• Marielle Thompson (Where Ivy Dares to Grow, published by Kensington Books)
• August Thomas (Liar’s Candle, published by Simon and Schuster)
• Rosie Walker (Secrets of a Serial Killer, published by One More Chapter)
• Mark Wightman (Waking the Tiger, published by Hobeck Books and shortlisted for Scottish Crime Debut of the Year 2021)

debut short story collections from:

• Dayle Furlong (Lake Effect, published by Cormorant Books)
• Dima Alzayat (Alligator and Other Stories, shortlisted for the James Tait Black Award for Fiction)
• a non-fiction debut from Sonali Misra (21 Fantastic Failures, published by Rupa Publications India)

debut poetry collections from:

• Rebecca Tamás (WITCH, published by Penned in the Margins)
• Naomi Morris (Hyperlove, published by Makina Books)
• Aileen Ballantyne (Taking Flight, published by Luath Press)
• the 2022 Edwin Morgan Poetry Award, won by Alyson Kissner
• the 2021 Brotherton Poetry Prize, won by Lauren Pope
• the 2021 Pontas & JJ Bola Emerging Writers Prize, won by Bhavika Govil

Meet our graduates

From Arthur’s Seat – stories from the heart of Edinburgh

Tim Tim Cheng

• Bhavika Govil
• Dima Alzayat

What's the best type of masters programme for you?

Entry requirements.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in any discipline. This will often be in a directly related subject like English Literature/Creative Writing, but we welcome applicants from all academic backgrounds.

Applicants who are entered into selection will be asked to provide a sample of written work to enable their suitability for the programme to be assessed.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

• Fees and costs

Read our general information on tuition fees and studying costs:

Scholarships and funding

Featured funding.

If you are intending to study full time on this Creative Writing programme, you are eligible for a William Hunter Sharpe Memorial Scholarship which will contribute towards your tuition fees.

You do not need to apply for this scholarship – all eligible candidates who apply for the programme by Monday 6 May 2024 will be considered for them and contacted if successful.

• Find out more about the William Hunter Sharpe Memorial Scholarship and other scholarships in literatures, languages and cultures

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
• Contact: College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office
• School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
• 50 George Square
• Central Campus
• Programme: Creative Writing
• School: Literatures, Languages & Cultures
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This programme is not currently accepting applications. Applications for the next intake usually open in October.

Start date: September

Application deadlines

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline when we will offer a proportion of the places available to applicants selected through a competitive process.

Please be aware that applications must be submitted and complete, i.e. all required documents uploaded, by the relevant application deadline in order to be considered in that round. Your application will still be considered if you have not yet met the English language requirement for the programme.

Deadlines for applicants applying to study in 2024/25:

(Revised 27 March 2024 to extend Round 3 application deadline)

• How to apply

The online application process involves the completion of a web form and the submission of supporting documents.

You should supply a portfolio of writing.

• For poetry, this should be six (6) pages of poetry, starting a new page for each new poem of 14 lines or over.
• For fiction, this should be a complete story or stories, or an equivalent amount from a longer work (between 2,500 and 3,500 words).

These are firm limits.

If you are undecided about whether to apply for fiction or poetry, you should send a sample of both, i.e. six (6) pages of poetry and 2,500-3,500 words of fiction (if offered a place it will be for one or the other).

Work in other forms (for example journalism, life writing or advertising) will not be considered.

Personal statement

When writing your personal statement, consider the following questions:

• What do you most hope to learn/gain from a Creative Writing degree, and why is ours the programme for you?
• Tell us about your writing: what are you interested in and why? Are there aspects of your current practice you're particularly proud of? Things you know you need to work on?

What (if any) prior experience do you have of studying Creative Writing?

Guidance on the application process and supporting documents

All supporting documents, including references, must be uploaded to the online application system by the deadline date.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

English with Creative Writing BA (Hons)

Undergraduate degree

Discover what it's like to study the BA (hons) English degree at City, University of London.

Key information

This programme allows you to take a range of innovative creative writing modules – including screenwriting and writing for gaming - to complement the study of English writing throughout the world. You will graduate with a wide range of creative and applied professional skills.

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years with placement or study abroad year

Institution

City, University of London

Northampton Square

Entry requirements

Below is a list of countries with information on each about which qualifications we accept. If your country is not listed please email [email protected] .

Contextual offers

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who have been in care, attend a low performing school, live in an area where few students go to university, or are the first generation of their family to enter Higher Education.

Those who are eligible may receive a conditional offer with reduced entry requirements, typically up to two grades lower for A-levels and one grade (or eight tariff points) for BTEC or mixed qualifications.

Mixed qualifications

Typically the only scenario where we make conditional offers expressed as UCAS tariff points is when an applicant presents mixed qualifications, most typically a combination of A Levels and a BTEC qualification.

In this instance, we may make a tariff point offer to present the applicant with more flexibility on equivalencies. In this case, please be aware that we may still ask for a specific score across certain qualifications and subjects. E.g. 'This offer is conditional on you achieving 128 tariff points. This must include A Level Mathematics at grade B.'

Subject exclusions

We do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects will not be included in any conditional offer we make.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

We welcome applications from students who are completing relevant EPQ Projects. Whilst we recognise the value of these projects in preparing students for independent learning at university, the EPQ is unlikely to form part of any conditional offer we make.

The EPQ will also not lower the specifics of any conditional offer we choose to make. We will consider the EPQ as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.

We recognise that there will be differences of opportunity varying by school and college. As not all students will have the opportunity to sit AS Level exams, it is unlikely we will include AS Level grades in any offer we choose to make. Where students have completed an AS Level subject, we will consider this as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.

University preparation programmes

If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.

Access to Higher Education

We welcome Access course applications from 'mature' students. These applicants will be considered on the basis of their own merits. Please be aware that Access students are often asked for further information to supplement their application, this is normally in the form of a questionnaire.

A typical offer for an Access applicant would be:

• Access to HE course with 60 credits overall to include 45 credits at Level 3 with 24 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 21 Level 3 credits at Merit.
• The Access qualification should be supplemented by at least a grade 6 (B) in Mathematics and grade 4 (C) in English Language at GCSE.

The Zimbabwe GCE A Level is considered on a grade for grade basis with GCE A Levels.

Visa requirements

International Students coming to study in the UK may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study. The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:

• Students on courses of more than six months
• Students on courses of less than six months

For more information see our main Visa page .

The School Certificate / General Certificate of Education.

Students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc (Upper Secondary School Graduation Certificate) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Uzbekistan Certificate of Secondary Education.

Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education.

Advanced Certificate in Education (UACE) is considered on a grade for grade basis with GCE A Levels.

Advanced Placements.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the US equivalent required.

The equivalents provided are intended as a guide only and individual applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The following A-level equivalences to Advanced Placements will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = Advanced Placements 555
• A-level AAB = Advanced Placements 554
• A-level ABB = Advanced Placements 544
• A-level BBB = Advanced Placements 444
• A-level BBC = Advanced Placements 443
• A-level BCC = Advanced Placements 433.

Thanawaya (General Secondary Education Certificate Examination)- students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Secondary certificate.

Mathayom Suksa 6 (Senior High School Leaving Certificate) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE)

Senior High School Leaving Certificate students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Junior College Diploma

The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Switzerland

Federal Maturity Certificate/Maturitatzeugnis/Cantonal Maturity Certificate. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

International Students from within the European Economic Area (EEA) may need to apply for a Student visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study if they do not have EU Settlement Status.

• Students on courses of less than six months.

Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskola. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level).

Considered equivalent to UK A-levels on a like for like basis.

Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE)

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Polish equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = 8
• A-level AAB = 7.8
• A-level ABB = 7.6
• A-level BBB = 7.4
• A-level BBC = 7.2
• A-level BCC = 7.

Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

South Korea

Korean High School Diploma students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

South Africa

The National Senior Certificate will be accepted for direct entry to certain undergraduate courses normally

Maturitetno spričevalo (Matura Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Secondary School Leaving Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-levels considered equivalent to UK A-levels on a like-for-like basis.

Polytechnic Diploma students considered for year 1 or year 2 entry on a case-by-case basis depending on subjects taken and CGPA.

Please contact Admissions to confirm your eligibility and the requirements for your course of interest.

Secondary School Leaving Diploma/Matura. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Saudi Arabia

Thanawaya (General Secondary Education Certificate) - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

The Rwanda Advanced Certificate of Education (A-level)

The Attestat o Srednam Obrazov

Diplomă de Bacalaureat. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Diploma/Certificado Nível Secundário de Educação. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the rquirements for your course of interest.

Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura.

The following A-level equivalences to Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 80% average from 3 extended subjects
• A-level AAB = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 78% average from 3 extended subjects
• A-level ABB = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 76% average from 3 extended subjects
• A-level BBB = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 74% average from 3 extended subjects
• A-level BBC = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 72% average from 3 extended subjects
• A-level BCC = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 70% average from 3 extended subjects.

Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC).

Thanawaya (General Education Diploma) - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skole (VVO). The exact requirements MAY differ between courses.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Norwegian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Vitnemal will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = 5
• A-level AAB = 4.5
• A-level ABB = 4.5
• A-level BBB = 4
• A-level BBC = 4
• A-level BCC = 3.5

Senior School Certificate/West African Senior School Certificate

Netherlands

Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

The Moroccan Diplôme du Baccalauréat/Attestation du Baccalauréat

Titulo Académico de Bachiller / Diploma de Bachiller / Bachillerato General - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

The CIE A Level sat in Mauritius is considered on a grade for grade basis with GCE A Levels sat in the UK.

Advanced Matriculation and Matriculation Certificate Examination are comparable to A Levels with the same grading system as UK A levels.

STPM / UEC.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Malaysian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to STPM will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = STPM AAA
• A-level AAB = STPM AAB
• A-level ABB = STPM ABB
• A-level BBB = STPM BBB
• A-level BBC = STPM BBC
• A-level BCC = STPM BCC.

The following A-level equivalences to UEC will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = UEC AAAAAA
• A-level AAB = UEC AAAABB
• A-level ABB = UEC AABBBB
• A-level BBB = UEC BBBBBB
• A-level BBC = UEC BBBBCC
• A-level BCC = UEC BBCCCC.

Diplôme de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Brandos Atestatas (Certificate of Maturity). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Lebanese Baccalaureate - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)

Certificate of Completed Secondary Education.

Thanawaya (Certificate of General Secondary Education) - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Senmonshi (vocational degree), Jun-Gakushi (associate degree) and Tanki Daigaku Shuryo Shoshois (Junior College Certificate of Graduation) considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Diploma di Esame di Stato.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Italian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Diploma di Esame di Stato will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = Diploma di Esame di Stato 85%
• A-level AAB = Diploma di Esame di Stato 84%
• A-level ABB = Diploma di Esame di Stato 80%
• A-level BBB = Diploma di Esame di Stato 78%
• A-level BBC = Diploma di Esame di Stato 76%
• A-level BCC = Diploma di Esame di Stato 74%.

Irish Leaving Certificate. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar Sekolah Menengah Umum Tingkat Atas (Senior Secondary School Certificate of Completion) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Diploma III & IV students considered for year 1 entry on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Indian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to HSC XII will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 80%
• A-level AAB = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 78%
• A-level ABB = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 76%
• A-level BBB = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 74%
• A-level BBC = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 72%
• A-level BCC = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 70%

Stúdentspróf. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Érettségi. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Hong Kong equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to HKDSE will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = HKSDE 555 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese)
• A-level AAB = HKSDE 555 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese)
• A-level ABB = HKSDE 554 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese)
• A-level BBB = HKSDE 554 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese)
• A-level BBC = HKSDE 544 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese)
• A-level BCC = HKSDE 544 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese).

Greek Apolytirion. Please note that exact requirements may differ between courses.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Greek equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Greek Apolytirion will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = 18/20 plus; 18/20 in two PanHellenics
• A-level AAB = 18/20 plus; 17/20 in two PanHellenics

German Abitur.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the German equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Abitur will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = Abitur 1.8
• A-level AAB = Abitur 2.0
• A-level ABB = Abitur 2.2
• A-level BBB = Abitur 2.4
• A-level BBC = Abitur 2.6
• A-level BCC = Abitur 2.8.

French Baccalaureate.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the French equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to French Baccalaureate will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = French Baccalaureate 15/20
• A-level AAB = French Baccalaureate 14/20
• A-level ABB = French Baccalaureate 13/20
• A-level BBB = French Baccalaureate 12.5/20
• A-level BBC = French Baccalaureate 12/20
• A-level BCC = French Baccalaureate 11.5/20.

Gümnaasiumi loputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate with the State Examination Certificate).

Certificate of Nile International Secondary Education

Hojere Forberedelseseksamen (HF). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Czech Republic

Vysvědčení o maturitní zkoušce / Maturita (Secondary School Leaving Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses.

Apolytirion. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

The following A-level equivalences to Apolytirion will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = 19 (91 – 95)
• A-level AAB = 18.5 (88 – 90)
• A-level ABB = 18 (86 – 90)
• A-level BBB = 18 (86 – 90)
• A-level BBC = 17.5 (83 – 85).

Maturalna svjedodzba (Matura Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Bachiller Académico/Technico

Senior High School Certificate students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Gaokao students with exceptional grades considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Grade 12 high school graduation certificate / diploma. Please note that exact requirements may differ between provinces.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Canadian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Canadian year 12 Diplomas will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = 85% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects
• A-level AAB = 80% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects
• A-level ABB = 77% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects
• A-level BBB = 75% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects
• A-level BBC = 72% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects
• A-level BCC = 70% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects.

The Cameroonian GGCE is normally considered like for like with UK A levels.

Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Bulgarian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie will typically be applied:

• A-level ABB = Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie 5.3 average and 5 in state exams
• A-level BBB = Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie 5.0 average and 4 in state exams
• A-level BBC = Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie 4.5 average and 4 in state exams
• A-level BCC = Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie 4.0 average and 4 in state exams
• A-level CCC = Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie 4.0 average and 4 in state exams.

Brunei-Cambridge GCE A-levels considered equivalent to UK A-levels on a like for like basis.

• Certificado de Conclusao de Ensino Médio
• Certificado de Conclusao de Segundo Grau

Botswana National qualifications

Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs/Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur.

General Secondary Education Certificate.

Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Titulo de Bachiller.

The Baccalaureat de l'Enseignement Secondaire

Diplome e Matures Shteterore (Diploma of State Matura). Students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course. Alternatively, IB, A Levels, or other European system will be considered.

If you are unable to find your country equivalents in the above list, City will consider other international qualifications on a case by case basis.

Please contact the Admissions team for more details.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

English language programmes

Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

Why choose this course?

in London for student satisfaction in English studies three years in a row (NSS Survey 2022-2024)

Study in the heart of London, a global hub of literary creativity.

Explore your artistic side and learn how to write fiction and creative non-fiction, and for films, television and games.

• Course overview

Teaching and assessment

Fees and funding, how to apply, english with creative writing ba (hons) degree course overview.

This course is subject to approval for 2025 entry.

This programme builds on our international reputation in creative writing, media and the creative industries.

Your first year is shared with BA English. Throughout your degree you will study the written word across time and space, from Shakespeare to popular music, comic books to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

By the end of your studies, you will be able to communicate in different professional and critical forms, using the written and spoken word.

You will also develop a set of specialised and applied skills in contemporary forms of creative writing, from short stories and literary journalism to screenplays and game dialogue. You’ll graduate with a compelling portfolio of sample writings.

• Immerse yourself in world literature and study in Central London, which has inspired so many iconic stories.
• Learn how to write in a range of genres and voices, including screenplays, poetry, short stories, narrative non-fiction and gaming narrative.
• Develop applied creative skills in communication, persuasion, individuality, writing for different audiences, and awareness of different creative industry markets.
• Learn from a team of expert lecturers who are passionate about creativity and the written word.

Course content

Develop your own creative and professional skills while immersing yourself in the study of English in this three year-degree.

Year 1: Develop a thorough grounding in reading, writing, academic and creative skills. Encounter a range of texts from around the world, explore how creative writing represents issues like social justice, and develop your own skills in storytelling.

Year2: Take core modules in creative short fiction and screenplay writing. Deepen your understanding of writing in English by choosing from a range of modules focusing on global and English literature, publishing, writing for media and communications, and advertising.

Year 3: Take core modules in writing for gaming and long-form journalism. Choose from a range of options including contemporary approaches to writing in English, media, marketing and publishing. Cap your degree with an optional creative writing project.

Study abroad

As an Undergraduate student you can undertake a period of study abroad whilst completing the programme.

This is possible through the Exchange Programme, a year of study at one of our European and/or international partner universities via a sandwich year, which is undertaken between completing Programme Stage 2 and entering Programme Stage 3, extending the degree to four years.

The resulting degree title awarded would be: BA English with Study Abroad.

We have strong links with Universities such as:

• Curtin University
• University of Queensland
• Queensland University of Technology.

North America

• University of British Columbia
• Concordia University
• Northeastern University
• Toronto Metropolitan University.
• Koç University.

Your modules will be delivered using a combination of:

• Practical workshops
• Interactive sessions
• Small seminars
• Personal tutorials

Lectures will provide you with commentary and explanation of key content areas. Most modules also offer small seminars and workshops, where you can develop your understanding of key texts and ideas through discussion and debate as well as hone your practical and professional skills. This versatility of approach will not only facilitate discussion but allow you to generate your own content, with different readerships, forms and functions in mind.

Assessment methods

Your programme will be assessed via a range of coursework and practical assignments, which may include:

• Professional, reflective, and creative assignments and portfolios
• Group assignments, including projects, performances, and presentations
• Live showcase events.

Fees for year 2025/26

To be confirmed

International

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2025/26 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase in the region of 5%.

Funding options

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs .

• Fee waivers are available for this course.
• Means tested support is available for 2025/26 entry.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees.  Find out more about additional expenses .

You will graduate with a unique blend of intellectual and creative skills.

Our employability-focused curriculum strongly emphasises the practical application of your skills in a professional context. You’ll have the opportunity to take a work placement module or year, apply for a year’s study abroad, or undertake shorter and intensive work placements.

Delivered through world-class teaching dedicated to enhancing your job prospects, this course prepares you for a range of possible career options, including:

• creative writing
• writing for film, television and other media including games
• advertising and marketing
• library and archival professions
• civil service.

More information on the Careers support available at City is available on our website.

Placement opportunities

As an English student at City, you will have the opportunity to take a second-year elective module, ‘Work Placement’. You may also apply to take a sandwich year between years two and three of your degree. Our careers team will help you secure a placement in the areas that meet your future ambitions.

Previous students have taken their placements in a wide range of sectors, including:

• Publishing (Penguin)
• Teaching Assistant (Secondary)
• Marketing (Intern at 11 Investors recruitment group)
• Theatre work (Chickenshed)
• Charity work (Oxfam books).

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the  UCAS website .

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60 .

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £27.50 application fee.

For enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office

Complete the Admissions enquiry form .

Call: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2025 should arrive at UCAS between September 2024 and 31 January 2025. Applications that arrive after 31 January 2025 will be considered only at City's discretion.

Contacting UCAS

Website: www.ucas.com

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

• from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
• from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

• from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
• from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Our students

BA (Hons) English student Ruth’s insights

Ask a student

Want to find out more about student life? Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any question you have

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.

Dr Hetta Howes

Senior Lecturer in Medieval and Early Modern Literature

• Department of Media, Culture and Creative Industries

Dr Minna Vuohelainen

Dr Sarah Jilani

Lecturer in English

What's happening

Nov  06

Postgraduate Open Evening

Join us at our Postgraduate Open Evening to learn more about our postgraduate courses and discover all the benefits of studying at City, University of London.

Wednesday, 6 th November 2024 , 17:00 – 19:00

Location: Northampton Square

Audience: Prospective students

Wednesday, 10 th January 2024

Stories shape our world as concretely as infrastructure

Dr Dominic Davies publishes new book The Broken Promise of Infrastructure, which investigates the cultural politics of infrastructure in Britain.

Friday, 10 th March 2023

‘Working with Words’ opens up career possibilities for English students

Careers-focused module boosts BA English students’ employability at City.

Related courses

Journalism ba (hons).

Train for a career in journalism with this hands on degree. Develop the skills you need to become a print, broadcast or online journalist, alongside research and critical thinking skills.

Award: Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Duration: 3 years (4 years with placement or study abroad year)

History BA (Hons)

Our fascinating three-year History BA Hons degree invites you to explore the events, force and ideas that have shaped modern and international history.

Useful links

• School of Communication & Creativity
• Creative writing and publishing at City, University of London
• English at City, University of London

Contact details

Undergraduate enquiries.

+44 (0)20 7040 8716

Admissions enquiries

BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing

Home Clearing applicants who do not meet the standard requirements as specified on the Entry tab may be considered.

Please call our Clearing helpline on +44 (0)117 32 83333 for further advice.

Page last updated 23 August 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's 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

Hear from one of our students, Rebecca, on how she felt supported to build her confidence as a writer .

Watch: Welcome to the School of Arts at UWE Bristol

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'll 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 Filmmaking 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 .

We are pleased to confirm that our New students webpages are now available for students starting this course in September 2024. Here you can find links to useful information about registering, course start dates, arriving on campus what to expect before and when you arrive.

We automatically send a message via your Welcome website plus an email to notify you once your Preparing to Study information is available. It is important that you regularly check your Welcome website for new messages.

Typical offers

• Tariff points: 112
• Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page .
• GCSE: Grade C/4 in English, or equivalent.

International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The University accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.

• 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't meet 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

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Creative Writing and Media & Film Studies BA (Hons)

What makes creative writing and media & film studies at worcester special.

Combining Creative Writing and Media & Film Studies creates a unique opportunity to explore storytelling across multiple mediums. Develop your skills as a writer across different genres and forms, such as poetry, prose, and media writing, and cultivate your critical thinking abilities through analysis of media and film case studies.

At Worcester, we introduce you to the professional techniques and technologies currently used in industry to help prepare you for careers in areas such as copywriting, media research, and public relations.

Key features

• Teaching from professionals who are experts in their academic fields
• Opportunities to explore a range of different writing styles and platforms that are relevant to the contemporary ways in which writers communicate and showcase their creativity
• Provides valuable insight into the professional creative industry by participating in work placement opportunities, attending guest speaker events, volunteering, short internships and collaborations
• Interactive, investigative learning environments where critical understanding is developed through debate, creative problem solving and evaluating your own opinions, experiences and identity
• Dynamic curriculum informed by the very latest research innovations in creative writing, the media and film industries and associated contemporary cultural issues

Clearing 2024

Apply to start this September. Find out about our accommodation guarantee and how to apply by visiting our Clearing webpages or calling 01905 855111 .

Entry requirements

104 UCAS tariff points

T Levels may be used to meet the entry tariff requirements for this course.  Find out more about T levels as UCAS tariff points here.

Other information

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email [email protected] for advice.

Further information about the UCAS Tariff can be obtained from UCAS .

Book your place at an Open Day

Want to know why so many students love living and studying in Worcester?

Our Open Days are the perfect way to find out.

Course content

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

Joint Honours

Discover our full range of joint degrees and read about how your degree will be structured.

Teaching and assessment

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish.

Creative Writing aims to nurture your confidence as a writer and to support your development as a critical and skilful analyst of your own and others’ writing. Throughout, you will be immersed in intellectual issues informing the discipline and practices of writing and learn to place your own writing within contexts of published work. You will develop expertise in commercial practice (writing for magazines, reviewing, scriptwriting, editing) and understanding of publishing and marketing processes alongside working towards your own creative development.

You will work with published writers, professional publishers and editors with a variety of specialisms including poetry, travel writing, writing for the screen, writing fiction, writing for performance, writing for children, feature writing, blogging and copy writing. Your development and achievements will be assessed by means of a wide variety of writing ‘tasks.’ In your third year, you will undertake a major writing project of your choice, mentored by members of the course team, alongside participating in a range of activity designed to support you to prepare for progression once you have graduated.

Media & Film Studies will expect you to engage in critical analysis: of the media, of films and the industry and yourself. On the course we seek to understand how and why the media functions as it does and what effects this has on its users and audiences. We also want you to think critically and reflectively about your own culture and experiences, as this will affect how you respond. We will teach you critical concepts and ideas from a variety of theoretical frameworks including black histories, intersectional feminisms and queer approaches, which will enable you to decode the media. We will utilise the research methods of the field including semiotic and discourse analysis.

You will be taught through a combination of interactive lectures, seminars and workshops. You will also have the opportunity to develop your understanding by taking part in class trips such as being able to experience immersion for yourself at a virtual reality gaming arcade and going behind the scenes at a local festival. You will also be invited to our course events which include exclusive film screenings and guest speakers.

For more information about teaching, learning, and assessment on this course, please see the single honours course pages for Creative Writing and Media & Film Studies .

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification documents for Creative Writing BA (Hons) and Media & Film Studies BA (Hons).

Meet the team

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. Every member of the team has a wealth of industry experience, including academics with specialist areas and those who combine teaching with professional practice. There are also demonstrators and technicians.

Teaching is informed by research and consultancy and all permanent staff on the team are Fellows of HEA and have the post grad teaching qualification.

Katy Wareham Morris

Katy leads the BA Hons in Media & Film Studies, a dynamic course which responds to innovations in media forms and applications as well as contemporary cultural issues. Katy is particularly interested in how digital technologies have changed media industries and the way audiences respond to them; and, media futures including immersive media. Katy interrogates media representations created by and representing identities and cultures which have been historically marginalised and challenge the white, middle class, patriarchal tradition. Katy is a proud working class, disabled, female academic and, a published poet.

Dr Barbara Mitra

Dr Barbara Mitra is a Principal Lecturer in Media & Film Studies. She has varied teaching and research interests and has published on issues relating to television, gender, advertising and children, and has become interested in social media, body image and eating disorders. 

Barbara's teaching includes specialist modules on gender and commercial issues of social media and she is also interested in the use of technology in relation to learning and teaching. She has spoken on local radio and schools on issues related to gender and body image, Facebook and television advertising and children. She has also made a number of films on various academic topics.

Barbara welcomes PhD and MRes topics in relation to the broad areas of gender, social media, body images and digital cultures. 

Dr Mikel Koven

Dr Mikel J Koven is a senior lecturer in Media & Film Studies. His teaching areas include World cinema; genre; Hollywood cinema; horror cinema; film & folklore; and cult & exploitation cinema.

His research areas include Film & Folklore (fairy tales, myths, and legends); Exploitation cinema (with a focus on Italian horror film); Jewish cinema (representations, stereotypes, and the Holocaust); and “Cult” TV.  

Holly Barnes-Bennetts

Holly completed a her BA Hons Media with Cultural Studies at Southampton Solent University in 2006.  After finishing her degree she gained employment ranging from running music and arts festivals, working in PR and charity fundraising. She then returned to teaching, securing a Diploma to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (University of Warwick) and completing a Masters by Research from Bournemouth University. Currently, Holly is working towards her PhD at the University of Worcester titled: A Digital Interactionist, Praxis Study of Perception and Communication of Positive Sexual Consent.

Dr Jack McGowan

Jack’s research focuses on contemporary poetry and poetics, and he specializes in the development of performance poetry in the UK since the mid-20th century, and the oral roots of poetry.

Jack is a performance poet with 10 years of experience on the UK spoken word scene and he writes for both performance and page publication.

Dr Ruth Stacey

Dr Ruth Stacey is an expert in poetry, historical fiction, fantasy fiction, and memoir. Her research is focused on the use of symbolist poetics to write imagined memoir of historical subjects.

An award-winning poet, with a background in copywriting and illustration, her teaching covers a wide range of subjects including genre fiction, creative nonfiction, contemporary poetry, professional practice, and writing for children.

Creative Writing is an extremely versatile degree programme. Employers in a wide variety of job markets, such as advertising, journalism, and professional writing, value the creativity and creative thinking skills you will develop during the course.

Media & Film Studies develops student skills in practice-as-research and research-as-practice for a number of culture and media industries including exhibition, distribution, audience-based marketing, journalism, film education, curating, programming, filmmaking, screenwriting and further academic research.

Careers and Employability

Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.

Fees and funding

How to apply

Applying through ucas.

Creative Writing and Media & Film Studies BA (Hons) – 

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

Admissions Office

Institute of arts and humanities - similar courses, english language (joint honours).

Explore the power that language has to influence how people view their world, from community formation to personal identity and business relations.

English Literature BA (Hons)

Explore our stimulating and diverse English Literature Degree. You will encounter a range of writing, from the Early Modern period to the present day.

Screenwriting (Joint Honours)

Screenwriting at Worcester emphasises learning through practice. Nurture your love of story and refine your skills as a writer and media practitioner.

Filmmaking BA (Hons)

Explore all areas of filmmaking, from documentary and fiction, to artist's filmmaking and critical writing. Find out more about our film production course.

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Creative Writing courses

Whether you’re looking to develop your own writing skills and editorial practice for your profession or for purely personal interest, our creative writing courses have much to offer you. Choose below from our range of qualifications.

Creative Writing Degrees  Degrees Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree. Internationally respected, universally understood. An essential requirement for many high-level jobs. Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts. Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.

• Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
• One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
• You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
• For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

How long will it take?

Creative Writing Diplomas  Diplomas Widely recognised qualification. Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree. Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject. Study for interest or career development. Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.

Creative writing certificates  certificates widely recognised qualification. equivalent to the first third of an honours degree. study for interest or career development. shows that you can study successfully at university level. count it towards further qualifications such as a diphe or honours degree., why study creative writing with the open university.

Since 2003, over 50,000 students have completed one of our critically acclaimed creative writing modules. 

The benefits of studying creative writing with us are:

• Develops your writing skills in several genres including fiction, poetry, life writing and scriptwriting.
• Introduces you to the world of publishing and the requirements of professionally presenting manuscripts.
• Online tutor-group forums enable you to be part of an interactive writing community.
• Module workbooks are widely praised and used by other universities and have attracted worldwide sales.

Careers in Creative Writing

Studying creative writing will equip you with an adaptable set of skills that can give entry to a vast range of occupations. You’ll learn to evaluate and assimilate information in constructing an argument as well as acquiring the skills of creative and critical thinking that are much in demand in the workplace.

Our range of courses in creative writing can help you start or progress your career in:

• Arts, creative industries, culture and heritage
• Advertising, marketing, communications and public relations
• Journalism and publishing
• Public administration, civil service and local government

Looking for something other than a qualification?

The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.

See our full list of Creative Writing modules

All Creative Writing courses

Browse all the Creative Writing courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.

See our full list of Creative Writing courses

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Teaching Associate

University of strathclyde - humanities - english & creative writing.

Humanities - English & Creative Writing

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences ( www.strath.ac.uk/humanities )

Hours:  (35 hours/week)

Contract:  Fixed Term (24 months)

The Department of Humanities is a community of researchers, teachers, students, and support staff working together on some of the most interesting and exciting issues in contemporary culture. English & Creative Writing is an integral part of the Department and wider University with popular undergraduate degrees in English, and English & Creative Writing, Masters programmes in Interdisciplinary English Studies, and Creative Writing, and a vibrant PhD community. We have an opportunity to appoint a new full time Teaching Associate, on a fixed term (24 months) basis, to join our internationally renowned English and English & Creative Writing subject team. 

English has been taught at the University of Strathclyde since 1964, when the university received its Royal Charter. Creative Writing has been taught at Strathclyde since the 1980s, with notable alumni and staff including Andrew O’Hagan, Zoe Wicomb, Margaret Elphinstone and David Kinloch. We are ranked 5 th for English (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024) and 1st in Scotland for Creative Writing (Complete University Guide 2025).

We have a number of active research projects and have recently attracted funding from the AHRC, The British Academy, and The Leverhulme Trust. The unit currently teaches two undergraduate pathways (English and English & Creative Writing), and two postgraduate degrees (Creative Writing and Interdisciplinary English Studies). We have PhD students from across the globe working across areas from the early modern period to contemporary literature. Strathclyde has expertise in a range of approaches to literary production including animal studies, experimental writing, linguistic and cognitive literary studies, postcolonial writing, queer theory, and literature as heritage. In terms of period, we have a particular expertise in the Renaissance, the Victorian, and the contemporary.  

We are open to candidates with an established track record of teaching in any area of English Literature. We particularly welcome candidates whose expertise relates to race, and potentially gender and sexuality. The successful applicant will not only  teach their area of expertise; therefore, it would be advantageous if you can work flexibly across periods, specialisations and even disciplines.

To be considered for the role, you will have experience in teaching and assessment in English; the potential to teach Creative Writing would be welcomed.  You will have a PhD in English Literature and/or Creative Writing (or equivalent); substantial relevant teaching experience at undergraduate level (including experience of assessing student performance and providing student feedback) and the ability to translate knowledge of advances in subject area into teaching and assessment methods and materials.  You will have the ability to contribute teaching to a range of existing undergraduate and postgraduate courses as well as designing and convening classes based on your expertise and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to listen, engage and persuade, and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences.

Experience of supervising students and developing curriculum is desirable.

Further information on the application process and working at Strathclyde can be found on our website ( www.strath.ac.uk/workwithus/vacancies ).

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Dr. Andrew Meehan, Subject Leader (Email: [email protected]) .

Interviews: Formal interviews for this post will be held on Wednesday, 2 nd October 2024.

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10 Jobs for Graduates with a Creative Writing Degree

Do you have a creative writing degree? Here are 10 jobs where you can put that degree to good use.

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Congratulations! First of all, you should be proud of your achievement. You just accomplished something that will open many doors that could lead you to a rewarding career.

Some may think that a Creative Writing Degree doesn’t lead you to many job opportunities, but that’s just not true.

Not only can you create any type of content you want and promote it online all by yourself, but every big company, especially the ones that have social networks to keep alive, need a creative writer.

Your career options are unlimited, especially if you take a look at the freelance world.

In order to show you how many opportunities you have we’re presenting our top 10 perfect jobs for graduates with a Creative Writing Degree or Diploma.

1. Content Writer/ Author

Even though it might be the most obvious job, it is still many people’s dream to become a writer. Now you have a degree to back you up, and a lot of knowledge to help you be successful.

You can write about anything you want – or anything a company wants! Novels aren’t the only things you can write; there’s poetry, prose, drama, short story, and the list goes on. If you have a dream, make sure you chase it until you make it because one of the most important keys towards success is our genuine passion.

2. Copywriter

Copywriting is probably the best way to start your career as a writer. And it pays well, even if you’re a beginner. But what is copywriting really about?

Copywriting means writing with the purpose of advertising and other forms of marketing. The product is called “copy” and it is actually written content whose purpose is to raise brand awareness and to make a possible customer take action. There are many forms of copywriting and it’s a crucial piece of any successful marketing strategy. That means a lot job opportunities.

3. Journalist

To be a journalist takes a lot of creativity. And journalism doesn’t only include the news or politics! You can be a journalist for the fashion world, sports, or even entertainment. There are a lot of options to choose from.

But beware, the competition in this field is very high. Consider this option only if you’re truly passionate about journalism and if you believe that you can make a change. It’s not for the faint of heart.

4. Travel Blogger

If writing and traveling are your two main passions, Travel Writer is the perfect job for you. You’ll get to travel all around the world and write amazing articles about your amazing experiences!

The best part is that you don’t really need to find someone to hire you to be a travel writer. You can take your backpack and start a blog about your own experiences. From there, you might become a leading influencer in the field or earn a few job offers.

5. Social Media Specialist

Most companies today leverages at least one social network. That’s where most customers spend their time and you can easily target them. But to make a possible customer take action and actually buy a product, you need well-written, compelling text. That can be written by you!

There are always hundreds of job offers for various types of companies, so it will be almost impossible to not find work in this field.

If you think of yourself as a persuasive and creative person, this job might be just right for you.

6. Email Marketing Specialist

If you’re usually giving your email to every website you’re purchasing things from, then you already know what email marketing looks like. If you ever bothered to read one of those emails you received, you’ll notice that their purpose is to give you some new information and to make you feel like a member of the community – and to make you buy their products.

To be an email marketer requires a lot of creativity. This job can be very well paid because you can make a real difference in their profits – the better you write, the more customer is convinced to make a purchase.

The writing process is not only about the creation part, the writing itself. It is also about improving and correcting the first draft until it is perfect and ready to send.

To be an editor doesn’t only mean to correct grammar errors and misspelled words.

It also means to make what the writer originally wrote sound better – take their idea and ensure that it will express the message effectively. Many writers make great editors because of their training.

8. Columnist

Many writers dream of having their own column in a famous magazine like Cosmopolitan, Vogue, or Forbes. They all started small – at local magazines and so on – but most importantly, they all started with a degree, like you.

The competition is high in this field too, but if you’re skilled and you believe in yourself there’s nothing to worry about. We all know that if you have a column in a magazine you are well paid and it can be a really nice and rewarding job, not to mention that you get to go places and meet amazing people, depending on the subjects you’re writing about.

9. Ghostwriter

One of the best ways to start your writer carrier is with  ghostwriting , especially if you’re not ready to put your name out for the public’s eyes. As a ghostwriter you have tons of opportunities – the  freelance world   is full of such opportunities, you can write anything you like or anything one demands, from books of all sorts, articles, blog posts, and the list can go on and on.

You can write articles about whatever topic you like and then just sell it to a company that needs it. You can work for some  essay writing company  as a ghostwriter. Or, if you want something more stable, there are many companies that are looking for ghostwriters to write their articles under the name of inexistent writers that have created.

10. Screenwriter / Songwriter

Probably the most creative jobs for a creative writer graduate are songwriting and screenwriting. Of course, is not easy to make a name of yourself in this field, but this is where your passion lays, you should definitely go for it.

In these jobs, you can dream as big as possible and the bigger you dream the more successful you’ll become. So, don’t let anyone stop you become a songwriter or screenwriter just because it is hard, or do you believe that you’re any less than anyone who already succeeded; they’re only human after all.

Above are just 10 great opportunities that you can leverage in your future, but remember, there are so many more opportunities that are waiting for a great writer like you to discover. Creative writing is a great career and the most important thing about it is that it will never die (hopefully), or, at least, not any time soon. You can write novels about your unbelievable fantasies, you can write for a blog that shares your main interests, and you can work from home as the freelance world has hundreds if not thousands of job offers for creative writers.

Your future looks bright from now on and never discourage yourself if you struggle at first to get a job because some things simply aren’t meant to be. Look at things from this point of view: you didn’t get the job because it is not the best option for you and a better job is waiting for you. You just have to be patient because great things take time.

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Stanford Sparks Literary Backlash by Phasing Out Creative Writing Lecturers’ Jobs

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Sarah Frisch starts each of her creative writing courses at Stanford University by letting her students know the classroom is a working community.

Stanford can be a difficult, high-pressure space, and Frisch said creative writing courses can be a respite.

“Students read this incredible literature, and they meet people they ordinarily just read about,” Frisch said. “But I think the part that’s really powerful is to see that writers are ordinary people. Writers write within friendships, and they get plugged into that community.”

Now, Frisch and other lecturers worry that the job security and lecturer longevity that make those relationships possible will disappear. During a video meeting last week, Frisch and her colleagues learned the Stanford Creative Writing Program’s nearly two dozen lecturers would lose their current positions over the next two years.

Instead, a faculty working group recommended the program’s lectureships consist of one-year appointments with the possibility of renewal for a limited period of up to five years.

Many of the current lecturers have taught at the university for more than a decade.

“I feel like our students were betrayed,” said Frisch, who has been a Stanford lecturer since 2009. “The whole program is going to be based on temporary labor, and that is a sea change from the program that we have. And that means that the program we have no longer exists.”

Transitioning to short-term futures

In a statement posted on the university’s website on Wednesday, the School of Humanities and Sciences and Creative Writing Program leadership defended the changes, arguing that the lectureship program, known as Jones lectureships, was originally intended for limited-term appointments.

“We plan for there to be as many lecturers in the Program in five years as there are today, and we expect to offer more classes then than now,” the statement reads. “The university, school, and numerous generous donors are committed to not only the excellence of the program but also its growth.”

Colleagues credit the Creative Writing Program’s success and popularity to support for lecturers from the late Eavan Boland, a distinguished poet and former director of the program. Boland, who died in 2020, encouraged lecturers to develop their own ambitious classes and foster deep mentoring relationships with undergraduates.

“She empowered lecturers not only to have job longevity but to use that time to innovate in the classroom,” said Nina Schloesser Tárano, who has been teaching in the Creative Writing Program since 2012.

“This is being treated as a luxury — my ability to be there for the entirety of somebody’s career as an undergraduate. But it’s my job, and it should be,” Schloesser Tárano said.

Students, alums and writers sound off

The changes to Stanford’s Creative Writing Program quickly generated widespread outrage online. In a Medium post , lecturer Tom Kealey noted that the changes come a year after lecturers, who made around $52,000, asked for a pay increase.

Writer Joyce Carol Oates wrote on X , “I am puzzled most by the lack of simple collegiality & generosity at one of the most wealthy universities in the world. Stanford’s endowment could support an entire nation.”

Kyle Wang, who graduated from Stanford in 2023 with a master’s in the modern thought and literature program, started a petition calling on the university to change course and reinstate the lecturers whose contracts will be phased out.

Wang said the lecturers in the Creative Writing Program changed his life.

When Wang first came to Stanford, he was unsure what to study. He had grown up in Silicon Valley, “where everyone and their mother” worked in tech or tech-adjacent fields. He took computer science class after computer science class. Then, in January 2019, he took his first creative writing class.

“A couple of weeks later, I think I knew deep down that I was going to be studying English,” Wang said. “Every single class that I’ve taken with a Jones lecturer has, in some new way, shape, or form, not only pushed me as a writer and thinker — it showed me a different way of imagining that a life in writing and a life in the arts could be possible.”

He worries for future generations of students who may not be able to build those same life-changing relationships with lecturers and about the institutional knowledge that could be lost.

Sarah Frisch is not sure what’s next when her lectureship ends. Classes start again next month, and she said in the meantime, she will focus on her students.

“I just want them to know those of us who are in this crappy position see and hear them,” Frisch said. “We’re willing to fight for their experience and their futures.”

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GCSE English Language 9-1 Creative Writing Sample Answer for a Story Titled “Alone”

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Other

Last updated

30 August 2024

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This digital file provides a sample answer to a GCSE English Language 9-1 creative writing task using the title “Alone.” The story delves into the emotions of solitude, showcasing a protagonist’s journey through feelings of isolation and the solace they find in the quiet of a night-time park. This well-crafted narrative captures the reader’s attention with vivid descriptions and relatable emotions, making it a perfect study tool for students aiming to excel in their English language exams.

Language Techniques Used in This Story:

Imagery: The story employs rich, descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the setting, helping readers visualize the scenes and feel the protagonist’s emotions.

Personification: Elements of nature, such as the wind and shadows, are given human-like qualities to enhance the atmosphere and evoke a sense of unease.

Metaphor and Simile: Comparisons are used to deepen the emotional impact and create connections between the character’s feelings and their surroundings.

First-Person Narrative: The use of a first-person perspective allows readers to connect closely with the protagonist’s thoughts and feelings, making the story more engaging and personal.

Symbolism: Objects and settings within the story, such as the empty swing and darkened park, symbolize the protagonist’s inner feelings of loneliness and longing for connection.

Why This File is Perfect for Exam Preparation:

Exam-Focused Content: This sample answer aligns perfectly with the GCSE English Language 9-1 criteria, demonstrating how to effectively respond to a creative writing prompt.

Technique Breakdown: With an analysis of the language techniques used, students can learn how to incorporate similar strategies in their own writing to enhance their storytelling skills.

Inspiration and Guidance: By reading and analyzing this sample, students can gain inspiration for their own writing, understanding how to construct a compelling narrative and convey deep emotions.

Practice and Improvement: This file offers an excellent example of high-quality creative writing, providing a benchmark for students to aim for in their exam preparation.

Use this digital file to inspire your own writing, understand the key elements of a successful narrative and prepare effectively for your GCSE English Language exams.

This digital file is more than just a model; it’s a tool for success. It’s crafted to meet the highest standards of the GCSE English Language exam criteria, ensuring that you’re learning from a top-quality example. By analyzing and practicing with this model answer, you can improve your skills, enhance your understanding and boost your exam performance.

Click the download button to have the full file at your fingertips!

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• Faculty Issues
• Shared Governance

‘Red Wedding’: Storied Stanford Creative Writing Program Laying Off Lecturers

The university says creative writing faculty recommended returning its Jones Lectureships to their “original intent” as short-term teaching appointments for talented writers. A lecturer of 20 years said he thinks there’s a “peasants and lords issue” in the program.

By  Ryan Quinn

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Stanford University is laying off its current Jones Lecturers.

Some Stanford University lecturers are likening it to the “red wedding” in Game of Thrones —a massacre of characters by their supposed allies amid what had been billed as a celebratory feast.

Last Wednesday, a dean, a senior associate dean and a co-director of Stanford’s storied and popular creative writing program held a Zoom meeting with the program’s 23 Jones Lecturers, according to some of those lecturers, who were chosen from the ranks of those who have held the university’s prestigious Stegner Fellowship for writers.

The university leaders complimented the Jones Lecturers over Zoom. “They praised us to the moon,” Tom Kealey, a lecturer for two decades, told Inside Higher Ed . “Endlessly” praised was how Edward Porter, a lecturer of eight years, put it.

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Then, Kealey said, the leaders announced they would all be losing their jobs within the next two academic years. “The worst part is to be praised while you’re being fired,” Porter said. According to notes he took of the meeting, Nicholas Jenkins, the program’s co-director, said something to the effect of “you’re excellent, but others will be excellent in the future.”

There was an added sense of betrayal. The deans—Debra Satz, dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences, and Gabriella Safran, senior associate dean of humanities and arts—said this wasn’t their decision, according to Kealey. In Medium posts on the ordeal, he wrote that they said it came from “the senior professors of creative writing.”

“These are literally our teaching colleagues of the last five to 15 years,” Kealey wrote. “And they decided in a previous secret meeting to fire all 23 of their junior colleagues.” In another post, he wrote that “it was only the MALE professors who voted to fire us.” ( Inside Higher Ed reached out Tuesday to some of the male creative writing professors on Tuesday, but received no responses.)

In an unsigned announcement last Wednesday on the university’s website, Stanford said it is returning to the “original intent of the Jones Lectureships: one-year appointments with the possibility of renewal for a limited term.” That announcement said the recommendation came from faculty members on a “Working Group of Creative Writing Academic Council faculty,” but it didn’t name them.

Satz, Safran and Jenkins said in an emailed joint statement to Inside Higher Ed that "this change will again allow Stegner Fellows the opportunity to apply to be Jones Lecturers once they have completed their fellowships. Jones Lecturers will have one-year appointments with the possibility of renewal for up to four additional years."

While it’s no longer rare for non-tenure-track faculty members to be laid off by higher education institutions facing budget woes, Stanford is a wealthy institution and creative writing is, by its own admission, a popular program.

“We have a large number of fully enrolled classes, many with significant waitlists and some where the waitlists are longer than the enrollment roster,” Jenkins said in a February 2023 article on the university’s website. He also said, “We’re in a remarkable period of hiring during which we’re fortunate enough to be bringing to campus an extraordinarily talented array of significant artists and teachers.”

But the lecturers say they’re the ones teaching most of the creative writing classes for undergraduates, and that their years of experience improve teaching. Kealey said some lecturers teach five classes a year; others teach four. He wrote on Medium of the senior creative writing professors that “the 10 of them … taught 13 undergraduate classes last year (and 19 overall, less than two classes taught per professor).”

The leaders said during the Zoom meeting the decision wasn’t about money, according to Porter. “It’s maddening to have outstanding enrollment and be phased out anyway,” he said. While the university has said it wants to simply return the Jones Lectureships to the short stints they used to be, Kealey suggests the tenured professors in his department had other motives.

“I think there’s a peasants and lords issue here,” Kealey said.

A Long Time Coming?

In 1946, Wallace Stegner, who would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for Angle of Repose , founded Stanford’s creative writing program. The Stegner Fellowships are named in his honor.

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E. H. Jones, who had an oil fortune, funded the fellowships and also established the connected Jones Lectureships, according to the university’s announcement from last week. It said these were meant to be “limited, fixed-year teaching appointments, allowing exceptional Stegner Fellows some time and support to prepare a manuscript for publication, hone their teaching skills and transition to a longer-term teaching career elsewhere.”

But “over time this framework of term-limited appointments was not followed,” the university said. It did not say when that change occurred. It might have had something to do with Eavan Boland.

Boland, an Irish poet, led the creative writing program for 20 years until her sudden death in 2020. “Eavan was just a fierce defender of the program,” Kealey said. He said her death “was a great loss to all of us.”

When Boland joined the program, Kealey said, it had maybe 20 or 25 classes. But Boland wanted every student who so desired to be able to take a creative writing class. Kealey said lecturers went to residence halls in early years to speak with students about the program. Over about 15 years, Kealey said, the program grew to offer about 120 classes.

Porter said Boland “developed a large cadre of about 20 to 25 lecturers.” Even though they were on one-year contracts, Porter said, they kept getting renewed. He said it’s true that Boland did move the lectureships away from their original intent—but that it was beneficial for students, teaching and the program.

“There are a lot of human skills to playing this game, and those don’t come in a year,” Porter said. “We have letters, testimonials from students about how much we’ve meant to them. We’re also very available to them—we talk to them outside of class, there’s a sense of continuing mentorship if they want it.”

Now, Porter said, “there is at least the appearance” of the university creating “artificial scarcity,” suggesting there’s no room for the new, younger Stegner Fellows writers to get a leg up by becoming Jones Lecturers “because these crusty old folks are hogging up all the real estate.” Safran, the senior associate dean, said, per Porter’s meeting notes, that “in some years few or no Stegners were able to advance.”

Kealey said, “There’s no shortage of space for new Stegner Fellows to be hired into the Jones Lectureships, but, I don’t know, the professors wanted to do a scorched earth with this, and that’s what they’ve done.”

The lecturers said they pushed for, and received, raises from the university in September 2023. “Exactly a year later we’re all fired,” so “connect the dots here,” Kealey said. “I think the lords didn’t like that—didn’t like the peasants speaking up.”

Porter talked about “balancing one set of values against the other.” He said the tenured or tenure-track “creative writing faculty doesn’t teach many classes and many of them are not involved—they don’t care about the undergraduates. It’s not their job to care; it’s their job to write books, be famous and raise money, and that’s very necessary.”

And part of the purpose of the Jones Lectureship program is to give new writers a step up. But Porter worries about the other side of the equation being lost. “It’s our job to care about the undergrads,” he said.

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