English Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons)
University of Birmingham
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.2) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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English
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Creative Writing
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Exam type

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A level
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Channel Islands
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Course info

Studying English Literature and Creative Writing in combination, allows you to develop your skills as a writer, whilst setting your own work and aspirations in the context of the wider literary world.Our BA programme introduces you to a broad range of types and periods of literature, with a huge variety of different areas to pursue, from medieval literature to twenty-first-century digital literary culture. These include unparalleled resources for the study of Shakespeare, through our ...Read more

Studying English Literature and Creative Writing in combination, allows you to develop your skills as a writer, whilst setting your own work and aspirations in the context of the wider literary world.Our BA programme introduces you to a broad range of types and periods of literature, with a huge variety of different areas to pursue, from medieval literature to twenty-first-century digital literary culture. These include unparalleled resources for the study of Shakespeare, through our world-leading Shakespeare Institute.You will be given a foundation in all main genres of creative writing: poetry, prose, drama and media writing. Alongside this, you will explore the professional aspects of contemporary writing and editing and will be supported in finding your own ‘voice’. You will be taught by award-winning writers and benefit from regular guest talks by visiting writers.


Why study this course?


Learn from bestselling authors and industry experts

– including 2021 Forward Poetry Prize winner Professor Luke Kennard and one of Granta magazine’s 2023 best young novelists Dr Anna Metcalfe. 


Get on board with the bard

- where better to study Shakespeare than in the town where he was born! Make use of our internationally renowned Shakespeare Institute based in Stratford-upon-Avon and collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company and take part in fun and interactive study trips, such as this writing workshop with Playwright Juliet Gilkes Romero on the RSC stage.


Personalise your degree

- read and write about the writing and authors that mean most to you: our course gives you the option to study everything from Old English to last year's novels; you can also incorporate optional modules across a vast range of literary genres.


Go beyond the printed book

- take advantage of the wide-ranging expertise within our academic community and explore the study of art, comics, film, marketing, music, social media, textual production, theatre, TV and video games.


Live and study in a city that values the written word as much as you do

– explore our exceptional resources, including our Cadbury Research Library, consisting of over 200,000 rare books dating from 1471, as well as the Library of Birmingham, Europe’s largest regional library. Get involved with the numerous on-campus writers' groups, including our very own newspaper, radio and TV stations and delve into the various citywide literature festivals.


3rd for Creative Writing in the Guardian University Guide 2025


26th in the world for English Language and Literature (QS World Subject Rankings 2024)

Key stats

English
WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
44/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
12th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
13th
Creative Writing
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 95 = 5% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
5%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Creative Writing graduate salary at this uni
£18,000
UK Creative Writing graduate salary
£18,000
English Studies (Non-Specific)
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 95 = 5% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
5%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
95%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
English Studies (Non-Specific) graduate salary at this uni
£18,000
UK English Studies (Non-Specific) graduate salary
£18,000
What students say
L
Liza
31 Jan 24

I think the environment is very friendly and welcoming, and the tutors feel passionate. I do think there could be longer lectures or more..Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
09 Nov 22

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAB Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

32 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDM Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

To include A Level English Literature or A Level English Language and Literature

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects, to include Literature or Literature and Language at HL 5.

BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus a B at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above.BTEC Diploma: DD, plus a B at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above.BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level, including the required subject/s mentioned above.

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Popular A-level subjects

English Studies (Non-Specific)

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

English Literature
80%
History
46%
Psychology
20%
English Language
19%
Religious Studies & Theology
18%
HESA
Creative Writing

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

English Literature
84%
History
35%
Drama
18%
English Language
18%
Psychology
18%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Creative Writing reviews

Creative Writing
Creative Writing
English Language
English Literature
L
Liza
31 Jan 24
English Literature and Creative Writing BA (Hons)
I think the environment is very friendly and welcoming, and the tutors feel passionate. I do think there could be longer lectures or more...
Read more
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How Creative Writing students rated:

Student rating
( 4.7) 7 reviews
5 star
72%
4 stars
28%
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( 4.2) 1,423 reviews
5 star
38%
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10%
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Uni info

University of Birmingham
Academic and Student Division Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom
Nearest train station: University   0.2 miles away
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