Our creative writing courses are ranked 7th in the UK for career prospects by the Guardian University Guide 2023, and top 20 for graduate prospects by the Complete University Guide 2024.
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. You’ll be mentored by professional authors who can help you find your creative voice. You can see your work performed by actors in a staged reading, and get published in our annual paperback anthology, the New Writing Series, which is produced by our MA writers on our UoG Anthology website.
We’re a close-knit creative writing community and our students benefit from a high level of support from each other and staff. You’ll learn from award-winning lecturers who specialise in a variety of genres, including crime fiction, literary fiction, transgressive writing, and confessional poetry. These include Dr Michael Johnstone, shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and whose fourth novel Disnaeland was enthusiastically reviewed in The Times, among others.
For the latest updates about Creative Writing, follow us on X, Instagram and our course blog.
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.
In your first year you’ll explore the fundamentals of prose, poetry and dramatic writing, before pursuing your chosen strand, (or multiple strands if you’re keen to combine a mix of creative areas). Your final year will have a professional focus to prepare you for your career in the creative industries. You’ll meet with established authors, agents, and editors – understanding the publishing industry, composing your writer’s biography and learning how to submit your work to relevant magazines and markets.
96 – 112 UCAS tariff points, CCC – BBC at A levels, MMM – DMM at BTEC or a Merit in your T-Level.
Entry can also be gained by portfolio if you can send us some of your writing (prose and/or poetry and/or scripts).
If you are unsure whether we could make you an offer or you have any questions, just get in touch with our admissions team who will be able to advise you.
English Language or Literature and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.
This course is available with an additional integrated foundation year. This four year option has lower entry requirements – see below – than the other study type/s available.
Typical offers
48 UCAS tariff points, EE at A levels or a PP in a BTEC Diploma.
To apply for the integrated foundation year degree, select the ‘With foundation year’ option from the study types listed at the top of this page before clicking ‘Apply’.
See course overview for more information about the interated foundation year option.
We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and make offers on an individual basis.
Please read the entry requirements for your country – and contact our admissions team if you have questions.
Here's an example of the types of modules you'll study (the contents and structure of the course are reviewed occasionally, but it is unlikely that there will be significant change).
Module information is not available for this programme.
You're viewing fees for the course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.
| Start date | Location | UCAS code |
Fee (UK) Fee per year |
Fee (international) Fee per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham | W800 | £9,535 | £17,425 |
| Sep 2026 | Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham | W800 | TBC | TBC |
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International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. |
Find out more | |||
At UoG we create a climate for bravery and growth. We instil confidence in all our students, so you can graduate career-ready and meet your ambitions.
95% of our graduates are in work or further study*, but if you’re not in a job 6 months after graduating we’ll guarantee you 6 months of free support, followed by the offer of a paid internship to kickstart your career – plus we’ll commit to lifetime career coaching. Eligibility conditions apply.
*Graduate Outcomes Survey published 2024 and based on 2021/22 leavers
Discover our promisesDesigned for aspiring authors, playwrights, poets, screenwriters, and games writers, unleash your creative potential with our Creative Writing course. The course aims to nurture your talent and enhance your writing skills, preparing you for a successful career in various literary fields.
As part of the course, you will also have the opportunity to showcase your work at prestigious literary events and festivals, allowing you to gain exposure and expand your network within the literary community. Our course not only focuses on the art of writing but also provides practical guidance on establishing a career in the field. Whether you aspire to create immersive novels, captivating plays, meaningful poetry, compelling narratives for games, or explore new writing territories, we provide the necessary guidance and resources to help you achieve your goals.
Graduates of this program will be well-equipped to navigate and make an impact on the literary world, bringing their distinct voices to a wide range of platforms and audiences.
You will learn from published writers, including Dr Michael Johnstone whose fourth novel Disnaeland came out in July 2022, Dr Angela France who has published four poetry collections and whose work has appeared in many anthologies, and Senja Andrejevic whose short stories have appeared in various literary magazines and whose dramatic writing has been produced with funding from Arts Council England. On the English Literature team, staff include Dr Charlotte Beyer who is the author of three scholarly monographs and author/editor of six collections and Professor Arran Stibbe whose innovative work on ecolinguists is sector leading.
On our dramatic writing modules you can work with Cheltenham’s renowned Everyman Theatre. You’ll develop your play with the artistic director, a playwright and resident actors – leading to a staged reading open to your peers, tutors and the public.
The course offers a range of publishing opportunities such as our annual student paperwork anthology, The New Writing Series.
Explore and collaborate with creatives from across the spectrum. We offer the perfect environment to practice your craft and prepare you to graduate career-ready.
Our creative writing courses are ranked 11th in the UK for student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2024.
Our creative writing courses are ranked 7th in the UK for career prospects by the Guardian University Guide 2023.
Our creative writing courses are ranked in in the top 20 in the UK for graduate prospects (on track) by the Complete University Guide 2025.
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