Taught by international award winning writers, you'll be introduced to the intricacies of writing including plot, characterisation and narrative study. Built around the core English degree the creative writing element enables students to develop their own craft and writing talent.
UCAS code
Q3W8
Entry requirements
You will need:
If you are unsure whether the qualifications you have, or are currently studying for, meet the minimum entry requirements for this course, please contact us before submitting an application through UCAS.
International and EU students also need to meet the English language requirements. Also see the full list of alternative qualifications for EU and international students.
Course length
Three years full-time, four-seven years part-time
Study location
Clifton campus
Fees and funding
For more information please see our applying and fees section.
Start date
October
This course allows you to combine our English degree with a special focus on developing your skills as a creative writer. One third of your degree will be devoted to your practice as a creative writer. On core modules at each level you will learn the skills of drafting, editing and work-shopping your ideas, as you learn to give and take constructive criticism. Two thirds of your degree will be devoted to expanding your knowledge of literatures in English. We believe that in order to write well you need to read widely, and that by debating ideas in English literary studies you will be better able to reflect critically upon your own work.
The creative writing team are all successful published writers, proficient in a range of genres from narrative fiction to screenwriting, who encourage students to develop a range of techniques and styles, alongside effective critical and editorial practices.
"I took a Screenwriting module and ended up writing three screenplays, which I had no previous experience of writing. I have also taken modules in Travel Writing and Postcolonial Writing which has been fascinating to research."
Samantha ListerBA (Hons) English with Creative Writing
Our flexible curriculum has been designed to create some exciting opportunities for students in the School of Arts and Humanities. The second year of study is divided into two semesters and offers the following options alongside your English with Creative Writing modules:
Gain valuable work experience that will impress employers, learn another language, experience other cultures and travel the globe - all as part of your degree. Our international exchange partners include universities in:
Find out more on an Open Day.
Please see the academic calendar for term dates.
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Find out what you'll cover in each module of our English and Creative Writing course in more detail.
You will be taught through a variety of teaching and learning experiences which will include:
You will also be involved in self-directed project work where you will have the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment.
As an English and Creative Writing student you will be asked to prepare material on a regular basis that will be open to peer comment, reflection and constructive criticism. You will be expected both to give and receive criticism and to develop reflective self-analysis, maintaining a writer’s journal and writing in a variety of forms and styles.Creative Writing ProjectAt level three you will have the opportunity to produce your own extended piece of creative writing through the 40-credit creative writing dissertation. This will be based on extensive researching, drafting and re-drafting. You will work with a supervisor in small workshops, where you will develop further your critical and editorial techniques. You will also choose from a range of modules based on the English team’s research, which will extend your subject knowledge and allow you to participate in debates at the cutting edge of the discipline.
Creative writing modules are principally assessed through the production of finished texts in a range of genres, accompanied by a critical commentary.
English modules are mainly tested through a combination of:
Student Academic PrizesAt present four prizes are awarded on an annual basis to graduating students (these may vary from year to year):
Course Leader: Catherine Clay
You will study this course on NTU's Clifton campus.Our English and Creative Writing team are based in the George Eliot building.
You will have the opportunity to apply for an exchange in Year Two, to study at another university in Europe through our Erasmus scheme.
Books and library resourcesIn our library you will have access to an extensive and diverse range of books including those on your reading list. The library also stocks periodicals that focus on Creative Writing forums.Clifton campus has its own Blackwell's Bookshop which stocks relevant academic texts plus a wide range of bestselling novels.
IT resourcesOur IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across Clifton campus, with PCs providing access to:
Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.
SocietiesCurrent students from the School of Arts and Humanities run societies for like-minded students to join including the Languages and Linguistics society and Debating society. Find out more about student societies at the Students' Union website.
As one of our graduates you will possess a wide range of academic and transferable skills.
Academically, the study of English and Creative Writing will enhance your skills as a creative writer and deepen your knowledge of a wide range of literary texts from the Early Modern period to the present. You will gain an understanding of the complex nature of literary languages, and the ability to evaluate and debate theoretical viewpoints. The ability to think and reason critically is an important life skill as well as being of benefit to a whole range of employment activities.However, the major transferable skill of all English graduates is the ability to communicate effectively both in speech and in writing.
Other skills that you will learn include:
These skills are invaluable for a wide range of occupations and settings, which is why the immediate and longer term destinations of English graduates are so diverse.While many English and Creative Writing graduates pursue publication for their own works or editing positions, many graduates have gone on to develop their careers within large well known organisations (such as Marks and Spencer, BBC etc.). Increasingly graduates are forging successful careers in small to medium sized companies which reflects the nature of the UK economy.Graduate roles include:
Some students choose to progress to further study, either to continue their research within English, or to gain more directly vocational qualifications such as journalism, teaching, law and social work.Recent English Joint Honours graduates have gone onto careers in:
Our friendly and experienced careers consultants will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice you won't find in a book or on the Internet. You will find consultants on all three campuses. Find out more about our Careers Service.
You will be actively encouraged and supported in undertaking informal work placements and internships as a student on this course.You will normally complete work placements during holiday times, but you will have the option of taking a maximum of two weeks out of term time for a placement. Most students tag these two weeks onto the start or end of a holiday, so they can complete a longer period of work experience. You will be supported with access to:
You will benefit from final year students and graduates sharing experiences of their own work placement experiences with you. They will make recommendations about how best to approach companies and get the most from your experience. You will also be able to attend sessions to help you to develop your CV and identify possible work experience opportunities.
Possible placement destinations for students on this course include:
You can follow our step-by-step instructions when applying through UCAS. Also ensure that you check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder, when you have applied. We may need to contact you during this time.
Take a look at our guide to writing an effective personal statement. Use it when you start writing your UCAS application. Good luck with your application.
International studentsWe welcome students from all over the world on this course. Browse our dedicated international students' website for the latest information on language requirements, visa applications and scholarships.
Application deadlineTo join this course in September 2013 you need to apply to us by 15 January 2013.
Applications received after this date will be marked as late and only considered if places are still available, after all on-time applications have been assessed.
FundingWe are committed to ensuring that all UK students have access to higher education. We recognise the need to invest financially in the future of our students, and have introduced a system of scholarships aimed at enabling home students from lower income families to undertake a degree course.For information about Nottingham Trent University scholarships please our fees and funding section.Open daysTo get a real taste of this course, why not visit us on one of our open days?
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Admissions enquiriesTelephone: +44(0)115 848 4200
