Be mentored by professional authors who will help you find your creative voice. See your work performed by actors in a staged reading, and get published in our student-led magazine, Show Don’t Tell, as well as our annual paperback anthology, the New Writing Series. Our Creative Writing degrees are in the top 20 of new universities for student experience in the Times University Guide 2016.
From poetry and playwriting to short stories and novels, you’ll focus on your existing creative passions and experiment with a wide range of styles, modes, and genres. In your first year you’ll explore the fundamentals of prose, poetry and dramatic writing, before pursuing your chosen strand, or strands if you’re keen to combine a mix of creative areas. This course rates among the best in the UK for student satisfaction (NSS 2014). It offers a fulfilling experience for those serious about learning the writer’s craft and pursuing a career in the creative industries.You’ll benefit from industry links with the Parabola Arts Centre, the Everyman Theatre and London-based literary agency Johnson & Alcock, which judges our annual novel writing contest. Cheltenham is also home to The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival that attracts writers, journalists, philosophers and historians from around the globe.
You’ll learn from award-winning lecturers who specialise in a variety of genres, including transgressive writing, confessional poetry, sci-fi, horror, and speculative fiction. This includes Professor Nigel McLoughlin, twice shortlisted for the Hennesey Award, and Tyler Keevil, winner of the Journey Prize and the Wales Book of the Year Peoples’ Prize. There are plenty of opportunities to showcase your work. Students read at open mic nights, see their plays performed by professional actors, and submit to our novel writing contest.
The professional focus of your final year will prepare you for your career in the creative industries. You’ll meet with established authors, agents, and editors, and learn about the publishing industry including composing your writer’s biography and learning how to submit your work to relevant magazines and markets.
Study style
We’re a close-knit creative writing community and our students benefit from a high level of support from each other and staff. The course includes a mix of lectures, seminars and one-to-one tutorials - all taught by professional authors. In lectures, you'll learn the fundamentals of good writing by studying the greats, both classic and contemporary. In workshops, you'll develop your own stories, plays, novels and poems. Regular writing workshops mean you can share your work with peers and get their feedback.
Entry requirements
Tariff information for 2017 entry
112 tariff points
Typical offers
BBC at A levels, DMM at BTEC or use a combination of your qualifications to achieve the required tariff total.
2017 UCAS tariff table
Mature Applicants: We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants. To find out more, please email our enquiries team.
International Students: Please see the full details of entry requirements in your country.
Grade C in GCSE English and Mathematics (or equivalent) are normally required.
If you don't meet your tariff points total we may still consider your application.
Please email our admissions team for further information.
Check your UCAS tariff points
If you are unsure whether your predicted grades will carry enough points to study the course, we can help. Whether you’re taking A levels or BTECs, Access courses or anything else the tariff calculator will let you know whether you currently have the grades and advise on what to do next.
Fees
See the further details of fees and potential extra costs when studying a course at the University of Gloucestershire.
UCAS codes
| UCAS codes available for this subject |
|---|
| Single Honours - 3 years full-time | W800 |
Careers
- Author
- Playwright
- Journalist
- Blog writer
- Reporter
- Publisher
- Editor
Industry links
Work with Parabola Arts Centre, the Everyman Theatre, Johnson & Alcock, The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. You can join the Creative Writing society, take part in literature-themed social events, and showcase your work at friendly and vibrant open mic nights.