English with Creative Writing, BA (Hons)

Course summary

Would you love to see your name in print? Are you curious about the creative industries? Or maybe there’s a poem or novel in you that's waiting to come out?If you want to develop your creative work alongside studying a broad range of English literature, language and drama, this course is for you.You’ll write both fiction and poetry, exploring different forms and genres along the way, including environmental and political poetics, creative non-fiction, flash fiction and short stories. The work in English studies will strengthen your creative writing. Then, in your second and third years, there’s flexibility to specialise in the areas you enjoy most, including digital storytelling.You’ll spend two thirds of your time on English studies, and one third on creative writing. This includes learning about the process of writing and publishing from expert staff who are published poets and authors themselves.We are proud to be ranked top 20 for English in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).

In year one you will study six core modules. You will be introduced to prose, poetry and drama from the medieval period to the modern day, and to aspects of English language from the beginnings of English to contemporary and applied linguistics. In year two, you will study two core creative writing modules on poetry and fiction, and select four optional modules from at least three areas of English. Creative writing modules include techniques on characterisation and representation, finding, shaping and reworking material, location and setting, and mood and atmosphere. You'll also write a portfolio of creative and critical work. In your final year you will take three core modules, including a year-long dissertation in creative writing and two specialist modules in fiction and poetry. Your dissertation will allow you to concentrate on an extended piece of creative work – either fiction, poetry or drama – supported by your creative writing tutor.