Programme Specification for Creative and Professional Writing (Major, Joint and Minor)
Campus: Docklands
Why study Creative & Professional Writing as part of a Combined Honours Degree?
Many people feel the need to express themselves creatively through writing, privately producing diaries, poems or manuscripts of various kinds, an activity which lies close to the heart of personal expression and self creativity. Yet writing, and creative expression generally, are routinely spoken of as a 'gift' beyond teaching. This actually isn't true. Applying critical thought to creativity unlocks how and why writers write. The processes and procedures of writing can and have been analysed and understood - broken down into components like the parts of a machine, such that, in theory at least, the formal combination of elements and the techniques used to create might be taught in a way that proficiency in painting or musical performance may be learnt. Which isn't to say writers can be manufactured: 'talent' or the art of writing, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, may well indeed be nine-tenths perspiration, but it's that inspirational and enigmatic tenth which can't be bought or sold.
Creative & Professional Writing provides a critical framework through which to analyse creative imagination. And, on the basis of in-depth understanding of how writing works, through a series of theory into practice investigations, the pathway also facilitates imaginative expression, encouraging students to explore their own ideas and commit them to the page within a critical and creative context of understanding and representation.
This programme will appeal to and be appropriate for both students who wish to continue their existing practice, and for those who are looking to explore the intellectual and creative opportunities this pathways presents.
Writing, naturally, is not easy: sometimes the difficulty lies with the initial idea, sometimes with the structure or form it will take, and often it is in knowing how to develop the initial idea and identifying how to progress it. All these areas are addressed in the different modules which make up the Creative & Professional Writing programmes, which variously explore where ideas come from, how to find and utilise source materials, how to use different forms and structures of writing effectively, the importance of giving and receiving constructive feedback, and how to reflect critically on the process and products of one's own writing.
At the same time, the content of the modules on these programmes works to strengthen the skills of writing and critical analysis which are central to all academic work, and in this way it complements other programmes in the School, especially those of English Literature, History, Journalism, Communication, Cultural and Media Studies.
What will I study?
The main aims of the Creative & Professional Writing programme are to:
- Provide an environment in which students can confidently experiment with and develop different writing forms and styles
- Offer students the opportunity to develop creative writing skills in an active, supported and stimulating environment
- Encourage students to develop writing in a variety of different forms and contexts
- Explore and critically analyse the processes of creative production
- Develop self reflection and critical analysis, and to develop confidence in sharing and producing writing
Upon completion, students should be able to
- Demonstrate a critical and writerly understanding of fictional and other forms of writing
- Recognize the imaginative possibilities of language
- Integrate theory and practice in their approach to the creative project
- Analyse the process, production and effects of their writing
- Demonstrate an analytical approach to writing and an informed critical vocabulary
- Work effectively and productively both independently and as part of a group project
Which modules will I study?
You can view a full guide to the modules you have to study as part of your chosen pathway, along with a full range of option modules available by viewing the Single & Combined Honours Programmes Guide for Creative & Professional Writing
Can I study a Combined Honours Programme as a Part-time degree?
All our Combined Honours Programmes can be studied on a Part-time or Full-time basis. As a Part-time student, you will study the same degree programme, but at a slower pace. You will study up to 4 modules per year (instead of 6 as a full-time student).
What career opportunities are open to me if I study Creative & Professional Writing?
Creative & Professional Writing will inevitably, for some students, be an end in itself - having had the opportunity to experiment, develop and contextualise their work they will continue to write no matter where their career path takes them.
However, it is also important to remember that many of the skills acquired during your course will be highly valued in the workplace: clarity of expression and accuracy in written work, for example, and the ability to examine, analyse and reflect.
In addition, during the course of your degree you will develop skills that are essential to any profession: self-management, organisation and planning, the ability to work collaboratively, and to attend to both the smaller details and the larger picture. As a result, students taking the Creative & Professional Writing programme will find that it is increasingly valued in careers such as teaching, arts and media, administration, marketing and publishing.
Popular Combinations with Creative & Professional Writing are:
- Creative & Professional Writing with Illustration° (W8W2 - BA/PEni)
- Creative & Professional Writing/Marketing (WN85 - BA/PEDI)
- Creative & Professional Writing/Sociology (Professional Development) (WL83 - Mod/PEPV)
- Film Studies/Creative & Professional Writing (PW38 - BA/PHPE)
- Journalism Studies and Creative & Professional Writing (PW58 - BA/PLPE)
- Journalism Studies with Creative & Professional Writing (P5W8 - BA/PLpe)
What can I combine with Creative & Professional Writing?
We have over 5000 different combinations and you can choose from over 75 pathways. Please visit this page www.uel.ac.uk/combined/programmes for a full list.
Entry Requirements
240 UCAS tariff points (including two passes at A2 level, one of which should be in A2 English Literature) plus GCSE English grade C. Applicants without the required A2 in English Literature but who can demonstrate a genuine interest in creative writing may be asked to provide writing samples.
How do I apply?
If you wish to study with us full-time from September, you will need to make your application via UCAS (www.ucas.ac.uk).
If you wish to study with us part-time you can obtain an application form from our admissions department study@uel.ac.uk or apply on-line
Other Creative & Professional Writing programmes available
For further information on the range of English Literature programmes available at UEL, please visit the School page http://www.uel.ac.uk/adi/
Contact Us
If you would like to speak to someone about a Combined Honours Programme, please contact the School of Combined Honours on 0208 223 2575 or email us at combined.honours@uel.ac.uk
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
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