Author or writer - requirements

As an author or writer, you’ll write, edit and analyse written material. Working creatively, you'll produce pieces of work for publication, collaborate with clients and write for different audiences. Find out more about a career as an author or writer including what you could study.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

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What qualifications do you need to be an author or writer?

Universities offer a variety of relevant qualifications, depending on which area you’d like to work in. Subjects to consider include:

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be an author or writer?

While it’s not essential for this role, postgraduate study would give you the opportunity to develop your skills and get mentoring and practical experience.

Many courses include modules with a specific focus, so you can find a course to suit your career goals. For example, crime, poetry or creative non-fiction.

Examples of taught masters degrees are:

  • Creative writing
  • Playwriting and screenwriting
  • English language
  • Writing for performance and publication

What skills do you need to be an author or writer?

As well as an excellent command of written English, you’ll need to be creative with a strong attention to detail. Not many vacancies are advertised, so it’s important you’re proactive and a confident networker.

Hard skills usually include:
  • English language
  • Copywriting
  • IT
  • Marketing
  • Media production
Soft skills include:
  • Communication
  • Creativity
  • Imagination
  • Eye for detail
  • Resilience

Do you need work experience to be an author or writer?

It’s important you build a strong portfolio, as this will be key to getting more work. This can be published or unpublished, such as pieces you have written at university or to enter competitions. It’s a good idea to get as much experience as you can while you’re at uni. This could be by writing for the student newspaper or radio.

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