BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Embark on our Creative Writing degree and from the very start you’ll study and practise the art and craft of writing in a wide range of established and new forms, from prose fiction and poetry, to screenwriting and writing for computer games. 

You’ll learn from established poets, novelists and scriptwriters at our Manchester Writing School – writers who know what it takes to turn a flash of inspiration into award-winning words on the page. The course also has a strong emphasis on professional development, and in our practical 'Beyond the Page' unit you’ll look at professional practice in the literary industry and working in the cultural industry in general. In our workshops, you’ll study the formal aspects of creative writing as well as putting your own skills into practice. 

If you choose the placement route, you will be able to spend Year 3 of your studies on an industry placement. A placement is a key element of the course as it allows you to apply university-based knowledge, skills and understanding to the real world of work. It also gives you an advantage when you begin looking for your first job upon graduating. All of this culminates, in your final year, in a challenging creative writing project of your own. And for those looking to develop their craft still further, this degree is excellent preparation for our Masters in Creative Writing.

Our Creative Writing degree also provides you with the opportunity to spend a year expanding your horizons, either studying with one of our partner universities overseas, or working on a placement within the industry.

In Creative Writing, students study and practise the art and craft of writing in a wide range of established and new forms, from prose fiction and poetry to screenwriting and writing for computer games. A range of published writers teach on the BA programme, including Helen Mort, Andrew McMillan, Andrew Hurley, Susan Barker, Rachel Genn, Rachel Lichtenstein, Anjum Malik, Nikolai Duffy, Catherine Fox, Livi Michael, Gregory Norminton, Adam O’Riordan, Joe Stretch, Antony Rowland, Jean Sprackland and Julie Wilkinson.

What is the length of the course?

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years with placement
• 4 years with study abroad
• 4-9 years part-time