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Undergraduate

Creative Writing BA (Hons)

What is Creative Writing BA (Hons)?

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 student-led magazine – Show Don’t Tell – as well as our annual paperback anthology, the New Writing Series.

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 transgressive writing, confessional poetry, sci-fi, horror, and speculative fiction. These include Professor Nigel McLoughlin – twice shortlisted for the Hennessey Award, and whose work has appeared in The Guardian, the Independent on Sunday and The Irish Times.

Study style

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.

Get Creative Writing BA (Hons) course updates and hear more about studying with us.

Entry requirements

    • 96 – 112 UCAS tariff points, CCC – BBC  at A levels, MMM – DMM at BTEC or a Merit in your T-Level.

      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 integrated foundation year to help you prepare. A degree with an integrated foundation year starts your studies with a year spent learning the skills required to progress onto a full honours degree. You will develop valuable study skills, communication, team work and problem-solving techniques which help to build your confidence and prepare you for the rest of your course.

      Typical offers
      48 UCAS tariff points, DD at A levels, PPP at BTEC or a Pass in your T Level.

      GCSEs
      Grade C/4 in English Language/Literature and Mathematics, or equivalent (e.g. Level 2 Functional Skills).

    • 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.

Fees and costs

See the further details of fees and potential extra costs when studying a course at the University of Gloucestershire.
Start date Location UCAS code Fee (UK)
per year
Fee (international)
per year
Sep 2023 Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham W801 £9,250 £15,450
Sep 2024 Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham W801 TBC TBC

Possible careers

Graduates from this course can go on to work as:

  • Author
  • Playwright
  • Poet
  • Screenwriter
  • Games Writer
  • Editor / Editorial Assistant / Web Editor
  • Copywriter
  • Features Writer
  • Blogger and Content Writer
  • PR
  • Concept Writer / Staff Writer / Copy Writer
  • Journalist
  • Publisher.

Industry links

You’ll have chances to work 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, which welcomes writers, journalists, philosophers and historians from around the globe. You can also join our Creative Writing society, take part in literature-themed social events, and showcase your work at friendly and vibrant open mic nights.

Showcase your work

There are plenty of opportunities to showcase your work. You can read your work at open mic nights, submit to our novel writing contest and see your plays performed by professional actors.

Collaborate with professionals

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.

Get your work published

The course offers a range of publishing opportunities such as our annual student paperwork anthology, The New Writing Series.

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Ranked 11th in the UK for student satisfaction

Our creative writing courses are ranked 11th in the UK for student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2023.

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Ranked 7th in the UK for career prospects

Our creative writing courses are ranked 7th in the UK for career prospects by the Guardian University Guide 2023.

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