Course summary

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? Your lecturers and tutors for Creative Writing will be practising writers - Dr Luke Kennard, a poet and novelist who recently won the Forward Poetry Prize whose criticism appears in Poetry London and the Times Literary Supplement and recently; Dr Richard House, fiction and screenwriter, recently long listed for the Man Booker Prize; Dr Dan Vyleta, author of four award winning novels and the best-selling novelist Professor Ruth Gilligan. You will also be able to enjoy regular guest lectures and readings from visiting writers. Past guests have included poet Simon Armitage and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. 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. Extra-curricular activity - the University’s very active creative writing society, Writers' Bloc, produces a regular journal and is very involved with the performance poetry scene, as well as hosting socials, open mic nights and writing workshops. In your second year, you will have the opportunity to partake in our very popular residential study trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, which includes lectures, creative workshops, theatre trips, cultural activities, academic and creative inspiration and the opportunity to socialise with staff and fellow students. 1st for Creative Writing in the Guardian University Guide 2023 90% of students are in work and / or study within 15 months of graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022) 30th in the world for English Language and Literature (QS World Subject Rankings 2022)