Creative Writing, BA (Hons), with industry placement

Discover and refine your creative abilities within our dynamic, inclusive writing community at the North’s only dedicated arts university. This three-year degree programme is innovative, experimental, and industry-oriented, fostering your unique voice through contemporary methods in prose, poetry, script, and beyond. Supported by expert lecturers and professionals, you’ll build a compelling portfolio via collaborations across arts disciplines, such as Visual Communication and Photography, while engaging in Leeds’ vibrant literary scenes through events like open mic nights and festivals.In year one, writing workshops develop critical vocabulary and editing skills through collaborative learning. Year two refines your direction with technical training in screenwriting and publishing, plus mentoring. Year three culminates in a major project aligning with your career goals, with an optional four-year option including a placement year for practical experience.

Year one – Writing workshops play a central role as a collaborative method to accelerate and consolidate student learning. It will expand your critical vocabulary and develop technical skills in the drafting and editing work required of a professional writer. Tutorials, lectures, seminars, masterclasses, and cross-disciplinary project work also feature in year one. Year two – You will now be developing a clear sense of your writing direction and favoured mode of production and will produce work that responds to outward facing briefs and opportunities. Tutorials, masterclasses, and collaborative project work help you to focus on technical skills, which may include the use of screenwriting, editing, and publishing software. Hands-on learning and mentoring by professional writers as well as visits, online forums, and blogs will develop and challenge your writing breadth and skills. Year three* – The final year gives you the opportunity to negotiate, develop, and complete a major writing project. This culminates in the production of a substantial body of original work, contributing to your chosen writing platform. It will reflect your individual philosophy and career aspirations as a talented new writer. *If you choose to study this course over four years, this will include a placement year (also known as a sandwich year, work placement, industrial placement, or year in industry), which provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance your employability and gain practical experience in your field of study. The placement year typically occurs after year two and before year three.