BA (Hons) Placement year available

Creative Writing

Whether you want to write science fiction, poetry, or for the stage or screen, our Creative Writing degree will support your development as a professional writer.

Explore complex types of communication, digital literacy and innovative storytelling, developing your skills in these areas.

You’ll become part of our vibrant ARU writing community, including postgraduates and alumni, helping you build your professional network and the entrepreneurial skills you’ll need for freelancing and portfolio careers.

Based in the Cambridge School of Creative Industries, you’ll be surrounded by professionals with expertise in performance, film, games, publishing, and digital media.

  • Screenshot video still of Creative Writing course books

    Find out more about studying Creative Writing at ARU.

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Why ARU?

  • Get invaluable feedback on all your written work from professional writers, including our teaching staff and Royal Literary Fund fellows

  • Attend guest lectures by visiting authors, editors, agents, and other writing-industry professionals

  • Join our Cambridge Writing Centre events to showcase your writing and make new contacts

  • Develop skills needed by industry and the professional environment on our Careers in Writing module

  • Our Business of Being a Writer module will help you understand the path to getting published

  • We'll help you find placements and work experience, and you can even opt to take a placement year

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Introduction to Imaginative Writing
  • Screenwriting: The Short Film
  • Multiplatform Storytelling 1
  • Contemporary Publishing for Writers
  • Multiplatform Storytelling 2
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
  • Writing Short Fiction
  • Careers in Writing: Editing and Copywriting
  • Writing for the Stage
  • Writing Creative Non-Fiction
  • Film Criticism and Reviewing *
  • Science Fiction *
  • Online Journalism *
  • Cult Media *
  • From Script to Screen *
  • Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
Year 3
  • Creative Industries Major Project
  • Worldbuilding
  • Writing Poetry
  • The Business of Being a Writer: Craft and Professional Practice
  • Crime and Detective Fiction *
  • The Cultural Politics of Celebrity *
  • Screenwriting: Writing and Selling the Feature Film *
  • Novel Writing: Long-Form Prose *
  • Writing and the Present *
  • Film Journalism *
  • Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Placement year
  • Work Placement - Cambridge School of Creative Industries
Module details

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Student work

Our student showcase
  • Video still of Jay Jancsics as Brian Butler

    Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Brian Butler was a local Sightsetter in one of Belfast’s main gun turrets.

  • Video still of Nic Rayment as Frederick Parham

    Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Captain Parham was remembered by Belfast’s sailors as a very gentle and humane leader.

  • Video still of Harvey Brett as Bob Shrimpton

    Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Bob Shrimpton was part of HMS Belfast’s ASDIC (sonar) equipment team.

  • Video still of Kiera Gracie as Charles Simpson

    Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Charles Simpson was one of Belfast’s five Engineering Lieutenants.

  • Jon Stone

    Dr Jon Stone considers how poetry is changing in the digital age.

    • ;
  • Video still of Jay Jancsics as Brian Butler
  • Video still of Nic Rayment as Frederick Parham
  • Video still of Harvey Brett as Bob Shrimpton
  • Video still of Kiera Gracie as Charles Simpson
  • Jon Stone
  • Video still of Jay Jancsics as Brian Butler
  • Video still of Nic Rayment as Frederick Parham
  • Video still of Harvey Brett as Bob Shrimpton
  • Video still of Kiera Gracie as Charles Simpson
  • Jon Stone

Careers

As a BA (Hons) Creative Writing student you’ll develop many skills besides writing, including literacy, communication, research, creative thinking, self-reliance and teamwork – all of which can help you start a career in many different areas, including film, games development, journalism, publishing, digital media and marketing.

Graduation doesn't have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to continue on to a Masters course, such as our MA Creative Writing or MA Creative Writing and Publishing. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

You will need to dedicate time outside of your course to develop your employability, through placements, internships or volunteering or through our partner scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). You can evidence this experience on your CV and talk about it in interviews to give you that all important edge.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

Entry requirements

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