Why study this course?
Study on a degree that combines theoretical study with the development of your own creative voice as a writer. Taught by experienced poets and novelists, our Creative Writing and English Literature BA will increase your understanding of literature through the study of the historical and contemporary genres in national and international contexts. Publishing, the arts, education, communications and business sectors are just a few of the areas open to you after graduation.
More about this course
As you progress through this undergraduate course you will:
- understand the local, national and global context of London’s literary and publishing culture
- consider the ethical, political and environmental conditions writers live and work within
- study modern and contemporary novels, poetry collections and plays
- complete a long creative project
- collaborate with fellow students within and outside of the degree
- learn from and work with published writers and publishing professionals
- meet publishing industry figures
- benefit from excellent digital research resources
- study at a university committed to the transformative power of education and dialogue
This combined degree in Creative Writing and English Literature gives budding writers the best of both worlds. You may want to be a performance poet, adapt a work of literature for the screen or stage, think about literature from a philosophical perspective or find out more about the publishing industry. The blend of modules on this course makes all of these goals achievable.
The English literature modules cover all the major genres of poetry, drama and prose, which helps you gain an understanding of their development through history. You’ll study major literary and cultural movements such as romanticism and modernism, and will have the opportunity to choose niche specialisms such as the literature of childhood or the literature of London.
On the creative writing modules, you’ll learn how to edit your work and develop your writing across literary and commercial genres as well as developing the ability to think critically about the cultural, ethical and political dimensions of writing. The skills you’ll gain by editing and critiquing your own work will be valuable when working on essays in other areas.
You’ll benefit from our exceptional facilities and have the resources of the British Library at your fingertips. London is a vast hub of literary and cultural history, and you will benefit from organised visits to theatres, galleries, libraries, archives and events, giving context and support to your studies.
You’ll be taught by experienced academics who are dedicated to undergraduate teaching, as well as published poets, novelists and dramatists, whose knowledge of the publishing industry can give you the valuable professional insight needed to kick-start your career. Staff are dedicated to helping you get the most out of your degree and the enthusiastic, high quality teaching on this course has been highly rated by students.
After you graduate you will be an excellent candidate for a career in publishing, the creative and cultural industries, the arts, education and the communications sector.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
Poetic Form and Genre (core, 30 credits)
Romantics to Victorians (core, 30 credits)
Theatre and Performance: History and Craft (core, 30 credits)
Writer’s World (core, 30 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Genre Fiction (core, 30 credits)
Victorians to Moderns (core, 30 credits)
Writing and Editing Fiction and Nonfiction (core, 30 credits)
Publishing and the Book: then and now (alternative core, 30 credits)
The Writer’s Craft (alternative core, 30 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
Moderns to Contemporaries (core, 30 credits)
Project (Creative Writing and English Literature) (core, 30 credits)
Why Literature Matters (core, 30 credits)
Publishing and the Book: then and now (alternative core, 30 credits)
The Writer’s Craft (alternative core, 30 credits
Graduates have gone on to successful careers in publishing, editing and related industries as well as publishing their own creative work. This course is also excellent preparation for further study or research.
