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Introduction
Our Creative Writing programme is informed by the National Association of Writers in Education (NAWE) definition of the subject. It is designed to nurture creative writers and to facilitate the creation of new works in a supportive but critical community. You will develop your practice with modules that heighten creative and critical awareness of the elements and techniques of effective writing.
We introduce poetry, prose and drama in year one and broaden the focus in the second and third years to nurture the writing of voice, form and place.
There are dedicated modules that develop practice in poetry and fiction, and, while the critical, self-reflective and editorial aspects of practice are emphasised throughout, there is also a module devoted to the relationship between research and writing. You will draw on these skills to research and produce an extended independent project (equivalent to a dissertation).
These core skills – writing, research and editing – are supplemented by modules that introduce you to the worlds of publication and performance, enabling you to develop an understanding of the career prospects for writers in the creative industries and the application of writing skills in administrative and entrepreneurial contexts.
• This course is available as Single or Joint Honours.
PATHWAY OPTIONS
Creative Writing (BA)
UCAS Code: W801
Creative Writing and English (BA)
UCAS Code: QW38
Creative Writing and History (BA)
UCAS Code: HCW1
Creative Writing and Philosophy (BA)
UCAS Code: WV85
Creative Writing with Foundation Year (BA)
UCAS Code: CRF1
Creative Writing and English with Foundation Year (BA) – Joint Honours
UCAS Code: CEF1
Why choose this course?
1. Academically and creatively challenging we aim to nurture your creative talent across a range of different forms - including short stories, screenplays, poetry, drama and novels.
2. We give you the opportunity to develop an understanding of the world of publishers focusing on your research and editing skills and exploring key aspects of publication.
3. As all publishers and businesses agree clear writing skills are essential for any creative writer - and equally crucial to any career.
4. We take an immersive approach to learning, offering a diverse range of teaching approaches, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshop sessions.
5. You will attend small-group classes with a focus on discussion and learning activities to encourage the self-development and critical reflection accepted as key to the development of personal and professional capacities.
Overview
Alongside the form and genre options, you will take modules in research and archiving, following which you will create a major piece of work which may lead to publication. Throughout your three years you will have regular contact with, and support from, a range of different writers.
Workshop sessions will be held within which you will be encouraged to discuss your work with your community of fellow writers. Your tutor will support you in preparing your work for publication and advise on places to approach. Alongside one-to-one tuition, you will also take modules on different aspects of the writing industry, including sessions on reviewing, editing and writing to brief.
There is a strong sense of community among students and staff, and the ratio of staff to students is such that students can access their lecturers when needed. The small classes are always friendly and never intimidating, allowing staff to know their students on a first-name basis.
Modules
Year One – Level 4 (CertHE, DipHE & BA)
• Contemporary Challenges: Making a Difference (20 credits; optional; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Cultures and Philosophies of Politics (20 credits; optional)
• Death, Burial and the Afterlife (20 credits; optional)
• Exploring the Humanities (20 credits; compulsory)
• From Egypt to the Near East: Phenomena of the Mediterranean (20 credits; optional)
• Gender, Sex, and Sexuality: Historical and Critical Perspectives (20 credits; optional)
• Humans and Other Animals (20 credits; optional)
• Learning in the Digital Era (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Morality, Ethics and Reason (20 credits; optional)
• Myths and Mythology: How Stories Shape the World (20 credits; optional)
• Power and Inequality (20 credits; optional)
• The Colonial Project and the Humanities (20 credits; optional)
• The Nature of Objects: Why Matter Matters (20 credits; optional).
Year Two – Level 5 (DipHE & BA)
• Business of Writing (20 credits; optional)
• Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Changemakers: Creativity and Value Creation (20 credits; optional; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• From Attic to Audience: Engaging with the Public through Residencies, Festivals, Performances and Publication (20 credits; optional)
• International Independent Study Module (40 credits; optional)
• International Independent Study Module (60 credits; optional)
• Writing Form (20 credits; optional)
• Writing Place (20 credits; optional)
• Writing Voice (20 credits; optional).
Year Three – Level 6 (BA)
• Business of Writing (20 credits; optional)
• From Attic to Audience: Engaging with the Public through Residencies, Festivals, Performances and Publication (20 credits; optional)
• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• International Independent Study Module (40 credits; optional)
• International Independent Study Module (60 credits; optional)
• Writing Form (20 credits; optional)
• Writing Place (20 credits; optional)
• Writing Voice (20 credits; optional).
Level 3 (Foundation Year)
• Academic Survival Skills (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to University Life (10 credits; compulsory)
• Independent Investigation (10 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to the Humanities (10 credits; compulsory)
• Academic Writing (10 credits; compulsory)
• Understanding Literature (20 credits; optional)
• Talking to the Dead (20 credits; optional)
• Being Human (20 credits; optional)
• Understanding Democracy (20 credits; optional)
Prospective students should be aware of the following:
• Not all optional modules are offered every year
• Optional modules are delivered subject to sufficient student numbers
• Language modules are optional/compulsory/core according to linguistic ability
• There are many Level 5 and Level 6 versions of the same module. Students can only take this module once; this depends on which year the modules are offered in.
Entry Criteria
Grades are important; however, our offers are not solely based on academic results. We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to their chosen subject area and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
To assess student suitability for their chosen course we normally arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered as well as your qualifications.
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Assessment
The programme is assessed in a variety of ways and will include several of the following types of assessment: essays of 1,000 to 4,000 words in length, document analyses, book reviews, short reports and reflective journals, timed tests, take-home exams, field journals, posters, group and individual presentations, dissertations of 10,000 words, wikis, commentaries and film evaluations.
Career Opportunities
Career and employment opportunities are very broad and include:
• Administrative and managerial jobs
• Community Work
• Freelance work such as copywriting, editing
• Independent and commissioned creative writing
• Marketing and fundraising
• Publishing
• Teaching
• Writing for film, television and media
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