Creative Writing - BA (Hons)

Birmingham City University

Our BA (Hons) Creative Writing course develops contemporary creative writers across a variety of forms, genres, and platforms, including prose fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, screenwriting, audio drama, podcasting, and digital media. The course provides the time, space and support to explore ideas, grow confident, versatile, and diverse voices, and produce original, impactful work. You will engage deeply with creative and literary traditions, innovative techniques and technologies, and professional practices to prepare for a range of opportunities in the creative industries. Through creative workshops and applied practice, you will learn how to write and pitch ideas proficiently for different audiences and contexts. Professional development, publishing experience, market awareness, and the chance to participate in industry-focused or entrepreneurial projects ensure our graduates leave with the skills needed to succeed in future.

At the heart of our courses is a shared interest in words and stories, and an appreciation of the real difference they make in the world. Taught by distinguished writers and educators in a friendly, supportive learning community, you will explore the power of words and writing in ways that matter today and to you. In your first year, you will establish a foundation in creative writing and reading that guides you into university-level creative and academic work. You will learn key principles about creative writing in multiple forms and genres, including crime fiction, science fiction, and fantasy. In year two, you will expand your creative range through the novel, short stories, digital storytelling, and screenwriting. You will consider the implications of new media and artificial intelligence, experiment with visual media, and develop the ability to create content with purpose and clarity, which is essential for connecting with audiences and enhancing your employability. You will also choose between hands-on opportunities in the Work Placement, Industry Project, or Independent Creative Entrepreneur modules. In your final year, you will refine your craft, develop your professional identity, and work on impactful creative projects. You will research, devise, and pitch a substantial creative project in the form of your choice, to be completed in semester two, and you will increase your expressive control and reach as a writer through poetry, creative nonfiction and audio drama. Throughout your course you will access industry insights and career advice from creative professionals, including authors, agents, editors and publishers, through our enriching programme of guest speakers and events. English at BCU is a top-20 research department for English Studies and research excellence is central to our taught courses. We focus on the practice and application of subject knowledge and skills to develop graduate readers, thinkers, and writers that excel in criticality, creativity, and communication.

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.  If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course. Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.