English with Creative Writing, BA (Hons)

This course is designed for individuals passionate about publishing their creative work and exploring the creative industries, while engaging in a comprehensive study of English literature, language, and drama. Participants will develop skills in fiction and poetry, experimenting with various forms and genres, including environmental and political poetics, creative non-fiction, flash fiction, and short stories. English studies will bolster creative writing abilities, with flexibility in the second and third years to specialize in preferred areas, such as digital storytelling. Students will allocate two-thirds of their time to English studies and one-third to creative writing, learning from expert, published staff. The program is proudly ranked in the top 20 for English in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).In the first year, core modules introduce prose, poetry, and drama from the medieval period to the present, alongside aspects of English language from its origins to modern linguistics. The second year features core creative writing modules on poetry and fiction, plus optional modules from diverse English areas, covering techniques like characterization and setting. In the final year, students undertake a year-long creative writing dissertation and specialist modules, focusing on an extended project in fiction, poetry, or drama, with tutor support.

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.