Programme summary for BA Honours Creative and Professional Writing
Study the techniques and traditions of creative writing in order to understand the specific nature of written expression. The degree covers a variety of media and forms including fiction, drama, poetry and non-fiction for the book industry, media, theatre, cinema and new digital genres. This programme will allow you to acquire skills and understanding of how writing styles inform what is customarily published, and why.
The Creative and Professional Writing Programme has a multi-disciplinary, modular framework, and you will be encouraged to experiment with different approaches to your writing, to think beyond the traditional notions of genre, and to incorporate innovations in how art and ideas are disseminated. You will have the option to choose between a purely imaginative focus and one that is streamed towards more professional writing.
If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.~ Toni Morriso
True Ease in Writing comes from Art, not Chance,
As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance.
~Alexander Pope, "An Essay on Criticism"
The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unableto say. ~ Anaïs Nin
The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar and familiar things new. ~ Samuel Johnson
About the programme
You will study and practice the techniques and traditions of creative writing in order to understand the nature of written expression across a variety of media and forms, including fiction, drama, poetry and non-fiction. This programme will help you to acquire and develop a range of writing skills, and to understand the contexts of writing through creative production and reflection on the processes of writing.
2-subject degrees
You can combine this programme with a range of other subjects as part of a 2-subject degree. Popular combinations include Creative and Professional Writing and English Literature, and Journalism with Creative and Professional Writing.
Programme structure
The programme is available to both full- and part-time students. The full-time programme runs over three years. Students take a mixture of compulsory and optional modules throughout their degree.
Career opportunities
In addition to developing your own writing to a professional standard, career opportunities exist in areas such as journalism, arts & media, film and business, as well as in teaching administration, marketing and publishing.
Support
- Support from Personal Tutor
- Individual tutorials from module leaders and seminar tutors
- Study skills development, including IT and learning resources
- University-wide support network, including residential, student finance advice and careers advice
Admission
The minimum requirements for entry for Level 1 entry is 240 UCAS tariff points from: A/AS level (Including 2 A2 passes), GNVQ, AVCE, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate. European Baccalaureate, BTEC / SCOTEC Diploma, Relevant Access Course or successful completion of the Level 0. Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered.
Applicant are expected to have an A2 level in English Literature or Language, or the equivalent, and/or they may be asked to provide a sample of written work, which will be assessed by the programme team.
Applicants who do not fulfil the admission requirements for Level 1 may be considered for entry into Level 0. Applicants should have 120 UCAS tariff points from GCE A2 or equivalent.
We also welcome applicants from mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience. Students applying to this programme will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with the subject. Applicants may be invited for interview.
Overseas Qualifications
The number of overseas qualifications which are accepted for entry are too numerous to list, but you can get advice from the British Council or our admissions unit on 020 8223 2835. You must be able to understand and express yourself in both written and spoken English and some evidence e.g. For level 1 entry a TOEFL score of 550 or an IELTS score of 6.0 (no skill level below 5) and for Level 0 entry an IELTS score of 5.5 (no skill level below 5) would be required.
Key facts
You can start many programmes in either September or February and applications are simple to make. Click below to:
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