English and Creative Writing - BA (Hons)

University of West London

Have you ever dreamt of writing an award-winning screenplay or radio documentary? On this English and creative writing degree, you will feed your interest in literature while developing the flexibility to write for different genres and media. The course helps you to develop the creative, analytical and professional skills you need to work across a wide variety of media platforms, including radio, television and the web. As you work towards your degree, you will build a diverse portfolio showcasing your abilities in a variety of genres. And you will develop entrepreneurial and self-management skills – essential ingredients for a successful writing career. We aim to give you as much real-world experience as possible while you study. Thanks to our west London location, at the heart of the UK’s creative industries, and our strong links with media organisations, you will have access to valuable work placement opportunities.

Your English and creative writing course is designed to equip you with the technical abilities and the confidence you need to earn a living as a modern writer. Throughout this joint honours degree, we aim to develop your cultural knowledge and communication skills, while giving you the support and space to develop your own creative specialism. Although the course emphasises the use of creative writing techniques within broadcast, web and print media, the critical and analytical skills you develop will be transferable to many roles outside these fields. Employers in the creative industries look for graduates who both know their theory and have the practical skills to fulfil briefs. On this English writing course, we give you the opportunity to gain these capabilities. Through a blend of regular seminars, media debates and screenwriting workshops, you will develop:
• a critically informed understanding of the essential works of English literature
• a critical approach to reading and writing
• your ability to structure complex arguments
• your understanding of the creative writing process and how to apply it to traditional and digital media
• a portfolio that demonstrates your capabilities. There is also the opportunity for you to take a work placement, on which you will gain valuable experience in a professional setting and make contacts for the future. You can choose a placement that is related to your creative specialism or to your main literary interests. Many of our students choose placements in organisations related to film, radio or publishing.